“Put off well and then go all the way into the second corner, all the way out, and then just finish, as fast as possible!” The Inline Skating National Championships are taking place again on the Rotterdam Skeelerpiste. The best inline skaters in the Netherlands will compete against each other from May 9 to 11. What makes this sport so great?
According to participant Elanne de Vries, who is participating in the senior category for the first time, the sport is great because of the speed and excitement. “You get a lot of adrenaline.”
The National Championships include various events and categories, from 100-meter sprints to 10-kilometer long-distance races. Organizer Sander de Longh explains how to become a professional inline skater, which is actually quite simple. Join an association, train two to three times a week. If you are good, you will end up in a regional selection or team. If you perform exceptionally, you can even progress to a regional or national selection.
The spark flew for Elanne when she visited the skating rink in Rotterdam. “I want that too!” When the skating season was over, her coach suggested she try rollerblading, and she has been hooked ever since. Today she is fighting for third place under a bright sun, and before the race she concentrates completely with a touch of superstition. For example, she always puts on her left rollerblade first and then her right rollerblade. “I feel like if I don’t do that, things won’t go well!” And it works! Elanne finishes in third place, just as she had hoped.
For those who are interested, there are still matches to watch until Saturday, May 11.
Tags: Elanne inline skaters Netherlands lot adrenaline
