Suzanne Schulting prioritises long track speed skating
Suzanne Schulting will step away from short track this season to dedicate her full attention to long-track speed skating.
Suzanne Schulting will step away from short track this season to dedicate her full attention to long-track speed skating.
Driving the news: At a team presentation in Den Bosch, the 29-year-old three-time Olympic champion explained that an intense long-track schedule leaves no room to contest both disciplines during the early season.
The context: Schulting raced both disciplines at the Milan Winter Olympics without earning a medal. She later regained confidence by winning the Dutch sprint title and finishing second behind Femke Kok at the world sprint championships.
Behind the decision: Coach Jac Orie and Schulting agreed that dividing her focus risked lower results, while sports director Sven Kramer described setting short track aside as a daring move.
The big picture: Energy supplier Essent prolonged its primary sponsorship of Kramer and Orie's team by three years, securing support through the 2030 Winter Games in Thialf.
What is next: Schulting begins her competitive winter at the World Cup qualification tournament in Thialf, running from 30 October to 1 November.
