Jesper Schmitz and Kiek Straathof join Dutch short-track team

◆2 sources

Seventeen-year-old Jesper Schmitz and 21-year-old Kiek Straathof joined the Dutch national short-track selection for World Tour races in Canada, after normally skating with the Talent Team. Both described training and competing alongside Olympic medallists as a major step in their development.

Straathof won bronze in the relay at the previous World Tour event in Vancouver. Schmitz said he was surprised that he could keep up with the national-selection skaters, while Straathof said she initially found their level much higher but has begun to compete with the group. They are due to take part in the World Tour event in Montreal this weekend.

More on this story

Sports

Dutch shorttrack team at the World Tour opening in Vancouver

6 sources

The Netherlands won five gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the opening World Tour weekend in Vancouver. Jens van 't Wout won the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 metres, while Xandra Velzeboer took gold in the 500 metres and silver in the 1,000 metres. Selma Poutsma won bronze in the 500 metres, and the women's relay team took bronze after Italy was penalised following a late-race collision. Van 't Wout, Teun Boer, Poutsma and Xandra Velzeboer won the mixed relay, leading from the start to finish. The Dutch men's relay team did not reach the semi-finals after Van 't Wout fell in qualifying. A single report said Michelle Velzeboer suffered a small fibula fracture in a fall on Saturday. The World Tour continues in Montreal next weekend.

Sports

Jesper Schmitz allowed to compete at the highest level of short-track

1 source

Jesper Schmitz, who is deeply involved in short-track skating, has now been allowed to compete at the highest level of the sport. He said he was not afraid and ultimately wanted to beat all of his competitors.