Julia de Vos of Lelystad is aiming to qualify for senior World Cup speed-skating competitions in the 500-metre sprint this season. Her preparation was disrupted by a bicycle crash last year, but she said this season had gone better and that she felt stronger technically and physically.

De Vos needs to improve her personal best from 41.0 seconds to about 39 seconds to meet the qualifying standard, according to her account. The 20-year-old has a Brazilian passport through her mother and said she also has the 2030 Olympic Games in mind, if the speed-skating tournament is held at Thialf.