Pictures from Ice Speedskating

What a weekend it has been! Wow! First on friday I had to go for a second jobinterview and once this was finished, I changed from heels and jacket into sweater and jeans and went on my way to the north of Holland. There was a storm going on and it was very scary to drive 200 kilometers in my small and tiny little car. The wind was sweeping me across the asphalt and I was very relieved when I arrived in Heerenveen. I arrived with some sweety hands, but I arrived, and on time for the B-group to start.

The Thialf stadion was locked down because of the wind or understaffing in security, so we had to go in via the main entrance. And by we, I mean the 10 other people who arrived to watch the B-group. Thialf was empty besides loads of officials, some skaters and 10 spectators. The visitors gained in numbers, but not as much as is normal in Thialf. It was a very quiet day, but watching the speedskating is always fun!

On saturday it was a little bit more busy, but the high prices of tickets, the problems of getting to the rink via public transportation and maybe the Sinterklaas festivities, left people at home. The 1.500 meter men was thrilling, but Shani Davis raced impecable and won the event. I would almost say: of course or as usuall.

Sunday however, was busy as usuall. Lots of people came to watch the world cup and this always gives this extra feeling of skating in the Netherlands. Especially during the 5k, which Bob de Jong won, the crowd went mad and it reminded me, why skating in Thialf is so special.

I think I made some pretty decent pictures. With my camera, it's always compromising and trying my best with the material I have. The best shots of this weekend are below:

Kaitlyn McGregor from Switzerland

Yekaterina Lobysheva from Russia

Natasja Bruintjes, the Netherlands

Jan Bos, also from the Netherlands

Jorg Dallmann from Germany

Ireen Wust, the Netherlands

Kristina Groves from Canada

Maren Haugli from Norway

Ayaka Kikuchi from Japan

Marian Christian Ion from Romania

Roger Schneider from Switzerland

And winnar of the 5k B-group, Byung-Wook Ko from Korea

Yuliya Skokova from Russia

Ireen Wust after her 1.500 meter

Shani Davis from USA

As you can see, most of the better pictures are from the longer distances. I have tried some new things and I am still developing as a photograper. It's still challeging and fun to do.

Furthermore, I'm very happy nobody got disqualified for crossing the line, I think the new interpretation of the rule is better, but I'm still not sure where it will bring us in the future.

I do know, that the future will bring Berlin! Next thursday I'm leaving for Germanies capital and will be going to the second ISU World Cup speedskating in Berlin which will also give us the teampursuit, which slowly seems to change into my favorite part of the programme. So I would like to say: Auf Wiedersehen in Berlin!

Naomi Schläger