A serious slip that caused bleeding wounds. The mass start at the European Speed Skating Championships was interrupted early by the withdrawal of Dutch sprinter Bart Hoolwerf. “Yes, sometimes it’s really dangerous,” shares Belgian Indra Médard, who ran a strong race for European champion Bart Swings.
“At first I didn’t notice, because I was so focused on my race. When I saw the pictures, I noticed that the Frenchman was bleeding in the face, his compatriot had a cut and Bart Hoolwerf was also not unharmed.”
Indra Médard talks about how she experienced the accident at the mass start of the European Championship. The 25-year-old Belgian rolled out the red carpet for Bart Swings on his way to gold.
“With Hoolwerf out of the race, we knew sprinting’s most dangerous customer was gone.” Even if no one on the ice wishes for the fall of the opposition.
“When you see what he can do, sometimes you think about how dangerous this sport is,” says Médard.
I try not to think too much about the danger.
Indra Medard
Not that skaters don’t enjoy protections. A “cut-free” suit, adequate gloves, neck protection and a helmet should prevent the worst.
“But obviously it is not possible to cover yourself 100%,” Médard knows. “So I try not to think too much about the danger. A bit like cycling: that doesn’t do you any good.”
Although skating commentator Bert Sterckx knows that the current protection also makes the sport much safer.
“Then I saw Hoolwerf. He was bleeding, but the deeper abrasion didn’t seem to bother him. All in all the danger is not as bad as, for example, on the short track.”
Something champion Suzanne Schulting can talk about.
Adapt(r)evolution
Schulting, Hanne Desmet’s best friend, fell during training and found Xandra Velzeboer’s skate lodged in her back.
The result: a 6-inch wound on his lower back that required stitches. Fortunately for the multiple Dutch winner, no muscles were damaged and she will be able to return to the European Short Track Championships next month.
“We know that short track will never be a safe sport,” says Bert van der Tuuk in Parool.
He is considered the “skating suit professor” of the Dutch team, who meticulously checks the protective layer.
“The suit is made up of two layers. The layer you see is made of rubber and is for aerodynamics, and underneath there is a cut-resistant layer. This is always thoroughly tested.”
You may think you are protected by some sort of body armor, but there is no such thing as complete cut resistance.
Bert van der Tuuk
Although the double layer does not guarantee a scratch-free ride.
“You might think you’re protected by some sort of body armor, but there’s no such thing as complete cut resistance. At least, you won’t win any medals with that.”
“No, it’s difficult to fill the whole body to achieve good performance,” Sterckx also nods. “This is also a bit of a risk in the profession.”
However, knowledge of short track speed skating can be used in the mass start. The short track suit will therefore be mandatory from next season in mass starts and team pursuits.
An evolution that last weekend’s unfortunates, who are still licking their wounds, will welcome.
Related:
2024-01-09 07:52:59
#fall #mass #start #raises #question #skating #safe