Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Netherlands Miss Skating Medals in Milan: Pursuit by 0.09 Seconds, Shorttrack Relay After Fall

Selection turmoil has sharpened scrutiny of TeamNL's pursuit strategy.

Overview

  • China edged the Netherlands for bronze in the men’s team pursuit by 0.09 seconds, after the Dutch lost the semifinal to Italy, who later beat the United States for gold.
  • Stijn van de Bunt led every lap for the Dutch in both the semifinal and the bronze race alongside Jorrit Bergsma and Chris Huizinga.
  • Marcel Bosker skated only the qualification round, left the stadium upon learning he was not selected for later races, and returned after a call from coach Rintje Ritsma.
  • Analyst Jochem Uytdehaage defended Van de Bunt’s role, criticized Bosker’s brief exit, and described visible lack of connection within the squad during post-race interviews.
  • The Dutch women’s shorttrack relay finished fourth after Michelle Velzeboer fell in the final, with 20-year-old Zoë Deltrap making her Olympic debut as part of the quartet.