Jenning de Boo wins first 500m in Heerenveen, skips second race

Jenning de Boo won the first 500 metres at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Heerenveen, clocking 34.20 seconds, but will skip the second race as he prepares for Sunday’s 1,000 metres.

Stefan Westenbroek was second in 34.75 and Sebas Diniz third in 34.85. Kayo Vos and Serge Yoro recorded the fourth- and fifth-fastest times, respectively, in the first race.

The 500 metres is contested twice at the tournament, with the five fastest skaters qualifying for the World Cup. De Boo told Dutch broadcaster NOS that the team staff had removed him from the start list for the second race and that he agreed with the decision. He said he still had the 1,000 metres on Sunday and that there were “things behind the scenes” he preferred not to discuss. He described skipping the race as the wisest choice, though not the one he liked best.

Femke Kok won both women’s 500-metre races at the same qualifying event.