A large crack in the ice has halted the elimination race at the Beijing World Cup, forcing officials to suspend the event indefinitely.
As maintenance crews work to repair the surface, the start time remains fluid, with no action expected before 14:10 local time.
National coach Rintje Ritsma confirmed that Dutch skaters Marijke Groenewoud, Harm Visser, and Jorian ten Cate remain eager to compete despite the disruption.
“Our athletes want to skate,” Ritsma told [Omrop Fryslân]. “Marijke wants to skate, Harm and Jorian too. Those men were already saying: we’ll just skate on the inside.”
The status of the Dutch roster remains in flux following the initial ice damage. Earlier, the NOS reported that the team had decided to withdraw Groenewoud from the race, though Ritsma’s latest comments suggest a potential shift in plans.
It remains unclear if that original decision will stand once the ice is repaired, Omrop Fryslân reported.
Current ISU timekeeping data indicates that Groenewoud is not scheduled to start. Whether the team can reverse this administrative decision once the race resumes is not yet known.
Organizers, coaches, and the ISU have reached a consensus to prioritize athlete safety during the repair process. The competition will be abandoned if the ice surface is deemed unfit for high-speed skating.
Ritsma expressed frustration over the extended wait, noting the impact on the athletes’ preparation. “I would have liked to have just cancelled the race,” Ritsma told Omrop Fryslân. “The women have been here all day since the team pursuit, the tension is gone.”
The race was halted due to a large crack discovered in the ice at the Beijing venue.
Officials have said that the race will not begin before 14:10. Further scheduling depends on the progress of ongoing ice repairs.
While Rintje Ritsma indicated the athletes wish to compete, official ISU timekeeping currently lists Marijke Groenewoud as a non-starter. It is not yet clear if the team will adjust this entry following the repair work.
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