Chris Huizinga longer at Jumbo-Visma, Belgium starts in team pursuit

Chris Huizinga signs a new contract with Jumbo-Visma
Chris Huizinga will ride for Team Jumbo-Visma until the Milan Olympic Games. The team has announced that Huizinga has signed a two-year contract extension. The Groninger made an impression on the first day of the World Cup Qualifying Tournament by significantly improving his personal record on the 5 kilometers. With 6.16.33 he qualified for the World Cup competitions. Last weekend he also showed up strongly during the marathon in Heerenveen.

“Given the progress I have made over the years, but especially in recent weeks, I know I am in the right team,” says a satisfied Huizinga. “The last two 5000 meters, in Inzell and during the WCKT, were very good and gave a lot of confidence. Now it is important to continue this upward trend. I am convinced that it can be done even faster.”

According to Huizinga, the World Cups can give Huizinga just that push in the right direction. “In recent years I have reduced the gap with the absolute world top. The goal now is to find and maintain the definitive connection. With the help of Jac and the rest of the staff, I am confident that this will succeed. To improve yourself, you need competitions. That’s why I’m happy that I have qualified for the World Cups, which allows me to compete with the international top every week. I look forward to showing the best version of myself.”

Belgium is once again fielding a team for the team pursuit
For the first time in ten years, a Belgian team will participate in the team pursuit during the first ISU World Cup this weekend. Bart Swings forms a team with Indra Médard and Jason Suttels in Obihiro, Japan. The latter became world champion in the marathon in France this year.

Swings was also part of the team during the last Belgian participation in the team pursuit. He rode with his brother Maarten Swings and Ferre Spruyt. As world champion in the mass start, that part is again a spearhead for Swings this weekend. He is also making the 5 kilometers a goal this season.

Belgium has appointed six skaters for the first World Cups of this season. In addition to Swings, Médard and Suttels, Sandrine Tas, Isabelle van Elst and Mathias Vosté are also traveling to Japan.

Figure skating icon Jutta Müller (94) has passed away
Jutta Müller passed away last Thursday at the age of 94. She was one of the most successful figure skating coaches of the past fifty years. In the 1940s she made her breakthrough as a figure skater. After a short career, she started as a figure skating coach in 1955. Her daughter Gabriele Seyfert became world champion twice. With other athletes she won three Olympic gold medals and no fewer than ten world titles. In 1992 she even worked briefly for the KNSB as a figure skating advisor. In 2004, she was honored and inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.