Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong Strikes Gold: A New Era for Dutch Speed Skating?
Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong of the Netherlands secured her first Olympic gold medal in the women’s 1500m speed skating event at Milano Cortina 2026, finishing with a time of 1:54.09. This victory marks a significant milestone in her career, adding to her already impressive collection of two silver and three bronze Olympic medals. Norway’s Ragne Wiklund claimed silver (1:54.15), and Canada’s Valerie Maltais took bronze (1:54.4).
Dutch Dominance Continues
The Netherlands continues its impressive reign in women’s 1500m speed skating, a streak that began at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. This latest win underscores the nation’s consistent success in the sport, fueled by a strong training system and a deep pool of talented skaters. The Dutch team also celebrated wins from Femke Kok in the 500m and Jutta Leerdam in the 1000m, demonstrating their overall strength at the Milano Cortina Games.
A Race to the Finish
The race was closely contested, with Rijpma-de Jong overtaking the previous leader in the final moments. American skater Brittany Bowe, competing head-to-head with Rijpma-de Jong, finished fourth. The crowd, filled with enthusiastic Dutch supporters, played a role in propelling Rijpma-de Jong to victory, creating a dynamic and energetic atmosphere at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium.
Rising Stars and Veteran Performances
While Rijpma-de Jong celebrated her first Olympic gold, other skaters also delivered notable performances. Ragne Wiklund secured Norway’s first medal in the event, and Valerie Maltais earned her third medal at Milano Cortina 2026 and fifth marking Canada’s first medal in the event since the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver. Veteran skater Takagi Miho, a four-time Olympian, finished sixth.
The Impact of Team Selection
The absence of Joy Beune, a dominant force in the 1500m World Cup circuit, sparked debate regarding the Netherlands’ Olympic team selection process. Despite winning all four 1500m World Cup races she entered this season, Beune did not qualify for the distance at the Dutch Olympic trials in December. This highlights the challenges athletes face in navigating national selection criteria and the potential for unexpected outcomes.
FAQ
Q: How many Olympic medals does Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong have now?
A: She now has one gold, two silvers, and three bronzes.
Q: Which country has historically dominated the women’s 1500m speed skating event?
A: The Netherlands has consistently won the event since the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
Q: Where were the 2026 Winter Olympics held?
A: The games were held in Milano Cortina, Italy.
Q: Who won silver in the women’s 1500m speed skating event?
A: Ragne Wiklund of Norway won the silver medal.
Q: Who won bronze in the women’s 1500m speed skating event?
A: Valerie Maltais of Canada won the bronze medal.
Did you recognize? What we have is the first Olympic gold medal for Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, despite having already earned five medals at previous Olympic Games.
Explore more coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics here. Share your thoughts on this exciting race in the comments below!
