Sports

Jorrit Bergsma starts new long-distance season at World Cup qualifying tournament

Jorrit Bergsma, the 40-year-old Olympic champion, is set to begin a new long-distance speed-skating season on Friday at the World Cup Qualification Tournament. He is again competing at the highest level while raising two school-age children and running businesses.

His eight-year-old son Brent looks up to him and enjoys riding his racing bike, according to the account.

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Jorrit Bergsma considers competing at the 2030 Olympics

2 sources

After winning gold and bronze at the Winter Olympics in Milan, 40-year-old speed skater Jorrit Bergsma said he is not considering retirement. He does not rule out competing at the 2030 Olympics, which are described as being held at Thialf in Friesland, saying he still has sufficient ambition.

Sports

Concerns over the new mass-start format

5 sources

Olympic champions Jorrit Bergsma and Marijke Groenewoud criticised the ISU's planned new mass-start format for the coming skating season. Under the format, the last two skaters every two laps will be eliminated until six remain to compete for victory, replacing the previous 16-lap race in which the first finisher won. Bergsma and Groenewoud said the format would be dangerous. Their coach, Jillert Anema, also warned of serious risks. Bergsma, who said the existing mass start was already dangerous, questioned whether he would continue in the event, though he has not made a final decision and plans first to skate the World Cup qualifying tournament.