De Boo eyes 500-metre world record despite tight calendar

Dutch speed skater Jenning de Boo says he wants to challenge the 500-metre world record this season despite a tight racing calendar. A World Cup race in Salt Lake City could offer an opportunity if he competes there. The 22-year-old Reggeborgh skater made the remarks at a team presentation in Rijssen, according to an ANP report published by Nieuws.nl on 8 October. [1]

The record is 33.61 seconds, set by Russia’s Pavel Koelizjnikov in 2019. ANP puts De Boo’s personal best at 33.63. It also reports that he won Olympic silver over 500 and 1,000 metres last season and became world sprint champion. [1]

His preparations may depend on a qualification route for the world single-distances championships. According to ANP, Dutch skating federation KNSB has announced that skaters can qualify through the World Cup instead of the national championships if they win at least one World Cup race and are the highest-ranked Dutch skater in the top three of the standings. If De Boo meets those conditions, skipping the national championships in late January could give him more time to prepare for Salt Lake City a week later. [1]

De Boo supports the rules but says he has not decided whether he would use that route: he also wants to compete for national titles. He says he would attempt the record even without ideal preparation and sees a chance in Salt Lake City if he starts there. If he does not break it this season, he intends to try again next season. [1]