The Dutch dominate international competition in long track speed skating and it’s no surprise to find the Dutch taking all three medal positions in some events. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s happening this weekend?

The speed skating season starts with Dutch qualification competition for the World Cup tournament at the Thialf stadium in Heerenveen.

The races

Riders race on a 400-meter oval track, with only two on the ice at the same time for all individual events. The men cover 500, 1,000, 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 metres, the women 500, 1000, 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 metres.

The team pursuit involves three riders skating together in a close line, while the mass start is exactly what it says.

The teams

Speed skating in the Netherlands is not only about individual riders. It is also about teams, a situation which is roughly similar to cycling.

These teams, sponsored by private firms, are made up of professional skaters. This season there are four main teams active in the Netherlands – Reggeborgh who wear dark green, Albert Heijn Zaanlander in emerald green, Essent in pink and IKO who are clad in red.

The top Dutch skaters all compete for one of these four teams, but there are several others on the circuit. Star skater Jutta Leerdam has opted not to join a team this season, and skates alone, in black.  

Names to watch out for

The list of European and world champions from the Netherlands seems to go on for ever, but a number of big names, like Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst have retired and moved on to coaching or other roles within the support. Here are some of the people likely to pick up medals this season, but the list is far from complete.

Women’s events:
Joy Beune (allround, 1,500m), Jutta Leerdam (500m, 1000m, 1500m), Femke Kok (500m) and Marijke Groenewoud (allround, mass start, middle distances). One to watch is short track champion Suzanne Schulting who is also specializing in long track events.

Men’s events:
Tim Prins (1000m, 1500m), Jorrit Bergsma (5,000m), Dai Dai N’tab (500m) Patrick Roest (allround) Kjeld Nuis (1500m)

The competitions

Various competitions take place throughout the season – allround (for the skater who does best over four distances), the single distance championships and the World Cup, which involves six separate weekends.

The World Cup events will take place in Nagano (22-24 November), Beijing (29 November-1 December), Calgary (24-26 January), Milwaukee (31 January-2 February), Tomaszow (21-23 February) and Heerenveen (28 February to 2 March)

The Dutch sprint and allround championships take place 28-29 December, where riders will compete for a ticket to the European sprint and allround competition. That takes place from 10-12 January in Heerenveen.

The Dutch distance competition (14-16 February) will also determine who will qualify for the world distance championships in Hamar, Norway from 13-16 March. And that is the end of the season.

Where to watch

The centre of speed skating in the Netherlands is at the Thialf stadium Heerenveen in Friesland and if you want to see Dutch skating fans at their most fanatical, it is well worth a visit.