I think it's time for a thread about Dutch Figure Skating - and unless there is a thread hidden among much older threads - I thought I might as well be the poster to start one.
We don't have much of a heritage in Figure Skating apart from three ladies who did quite well in the 60s and 70s, Sjoukje Dijkstra (Olympic Gold and Silver), Joan Haanappel (three European Bronzes) and Dianne de Leeuw (Olympic silver, World Gold and two World Bronzes, two European Silvers and one European Bronze). Men have never really picked it up (although there have been and are National Champions of course). Currently however, thanks to Joan Haanappels tireless efforts and despite the attitude of our National Federation that focuses mostly on speed skaters (they get all the funding too) the sport is finally picking up. We've had ladies at Europeans and Worlds a few times recently, and even a guy who managed to skate at europeans as well as at the Universiade in 2017. Furthermore, there are some junior ladies coming up. Don't get me wrong, these skaters aren't anywhere near the skaters from the top nations, and even the subtop, but there definitely is an improvement. Furthermore we even have got some pairs in the mix.
Well, here goes. I have to mention Nicki Wories first, as she made it to Worlds a few years ago, was definitely on the rise, but has been hampered by injuries (including quite a few concussions) since. I believe it is getting better now. Kyarha van Tiel took part in Europeans and Worlds last year, and though not good enough to skate the FS, she is still improving. Lenne van Gorp, Kaya Scheepens and Lindsay van Zundert are juniors on the rise (although maybe Kaya has now turned senior). They take part in the JGP and if at all possible also in Junior Worlds. Most train in The Netherlands or Belgium (Belgium has a bit more of recent heritage than the Dutch do, and some excellent coaches) although they also attend training camps in the off season abroad. Working with Mischin for example! Nicki trains in Canada.
The one guy is Thomas Kennes who had two off seasons (one through injury, and the other through coach issues) but I am rooting for him again now he looks to have settled down with Jorik Hendrickx as one of his coaches.
We have two pair couples, although I haven't heard from Michel Tsiba and Daria Danilova since the last Challenge Cup so I'm not sure they're still at it. I hope they are of course as some National rivalry is all for the good. The other pair consists of Liubov Efimenko and Dmitry Epstein, the latter having skated pairs with his twin sister before. I understand Efimenko/Epstein will be competing at the Nebelhorn Trophy.
Ice Dance alas is a bit forgotten. There was a junior ice dance girl who went to skate with a French partner but I never heard from them again. Which is a pity.
It would be great if we can follow all the efforts of these skaters, and that other posters respond and post if they see one of them, or hear from them.
We don't have much of a heritage in Figure Skating apart from three ladies who did quite well in the 60s and 70s, Sjoukje Dijkstra (Olympic Gold and Silver), Joan Haanappel (three European Bronzes) and Dianne de Leeuw (Olympic silver, World Gold and two World Bronzes, two European Silvers and one European Bronze). Men have never really picked it up (although there have been and are National Champions of course). Currently however, thanks to Joan Haanappels tireless efforts and despite the attitude of our National Federation that focuses mostly on speed skaters (they get all the funding too) the sport is finally picking up. We've had ladies at Europeans and Worlds a few times recently, and even a guy who managed to skate at europeans as well as at the Universiade in 2017. Furthermore, there are some junior ladies coming up. Don't get me wrong, these skaters aren't anywhere near the skaters from the top nations, and even the subtop, but there definitely is an improvement. Furthermore we even have got some pairs in the mix.
Well, here goes. I have to mention Nicki Wories first, as she made it to Worlds a few years ago, was definitely on the rise, but has been hampered by injuries (including quite a few concussions) since. I believe it is getting better now. Kyarha van Tiel took part in Europeans and Worlds last year, and though not good enough to skate the FS, she is still improving. Lenne van Gorp, Kaya Scheepens and Lindsay van Zundert are juniors on the rise (although maybe Kaya has now turned senior). They take part in the JGP and if at all possible also in Junior Worlds. Most train in The Netherlands or Belgium (Belgium has a bit more of recent heritage than the Dutch do, and some excellent coaches) although they also attend training camps in the off season abroad. Working with Mischin for example! Nicki trains in Canada.
The one guy is Thomas Kennes who had two off seasons (one through injury, and the other through coach issues) but I am rooting for him again now he looks to have settled down with Jorik Hendrickx as one of his coaches.
We have two pair couples, although I haven't heard from Michel Tsiba and Daria Danilova since the last Challenge Cup so I'm not sure they're still at it. I hope they are of course as some National rivalry is all for the good. The other pair consists of Liubov Efimenko and Dmitry Epstein, the latter having skated pairs with his twin sister before. I understand Efimenko/Epstein will be competing at the Nebelhorn Trophy.
Ice Dance alas is a bit forgotten. There was a junior ice dance girl who went to skate with a French partner but I never heard from them again. Which is a pity.
It would be great if we can follow all the efforts of these skaters, and that other posters respond and post if they see one of them, or hear from them.