Thialf Mass Start Chaos Prompts Olympic Champion Boycott and Safety Alarm
At the World Cup qualification tournament in Thialf, a newly introduced elimination format for the speed skating mass start triggered crashes and rider injuries, leading Olympic champion Jorrit Bergsma to skip the event due to safety concerns, nos.nl reported. The event, which historically operated as a 16-lap mini-marathon decided by a final sprint, shifted to a track cycling-style elimination race where the last two skaters are dropped every two laps.
Crashes Stop the Men Race as Skaters Hit the Boarding
The structural shift in the race immediately manifested in dangerous chaos during the men event at Thialf. Just laps into the race, a group of four skaters crashed violently into the safety boarding, forcing organizers to halt the competition. According to Schaatsen.nl, Luc ter Haar, Jelle Koeleman, Sem Spruit, and Victor Ramler went down, with Ter Haar requiring EHBO (First Aid) assistance to leave the ice. Technical difficulties with the timing system further delayed the restart, prompting coach Jillert Anema to pull his remaining active skater, Wisse Slendebroek, off the ice to prevent injuries. Analyst and former Olympic champion Mark Tuitert described the debut as a “false start,” noting that heavier, faster male skaters fighting to avoid elimination created dangerous, block-like collisions in the turns.
Athletes and Coaches Demand a Return to Traditional Rules
While the women race saw fewer major incidents—largely controlled by Olympic champion Marijke Groenewoud and teammate Sofia Schilder taking a half-lap lead—Groenewoud admitted that witnessing the men event made her fear for the safety of the new format at the international level. Bergsma, who skipped the mass start entirely due to safety concerns, watched his fears materialize from the infield. Both Groenewoud and Bergsma called for a return to the traditional format, with Groenewoud stating it should be reverted “one hundred percent,” while the race eventually resumed after a delay caused by crashes and timing issues, ending with Jorian ten Cate winning the men’s mass start ahead of Harm Visser.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Thialf Mass Start Incident
Why did Jorrit Bergsma skip the mass start event at Thialf?
Bergsma skipped the mass start because he feared the severe safety risks introduced by the tournament’s new elimination format. As a 40-year-old Olympic champion, he chose to protect himself from the constant, high-speed battles at the back of the peloton.
What caused the race interruption during the men competition?
The race was red-flagged after a group of four skaters—including Luc ter Haar, Jelle Koeleman, Sem Spruit, and Victor Ramler—crashed heavily into the boarding. The stoppage was further prolonged by technical malfunctions with the venue’s timing system.
Who won the men mass start after the race resumed?
Jorian ten Cate won the men mass start race in Thialf after the restart, edging out runner-up Harm Visser. Ten Cate utilized his background in inline skating to navigate the chaotic peloton successfully.
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