Short track star Schulting signs with Jumbo skating team: ‘Revolutionary’

NOS Skating•today, 5:31 PM

Schulting ‘proud’ of contract with Jumbo: ‘Langebanen makes me a better short track star’

Suzanne Schulting makes a remarkable transition to Jumbo. The multiple Olympic short track champion signs a contract for several seasons with Jac Orie’s skating team, up to and including the 2026 Olympic Games.

It does not mean that Schulting will now focus entirely on long track skating, which is what Jumbo specializes in. She will remain part of the national short track team and will also start a long track trajectory at Jumbo.

“I am a short tracker and that will certainly remain the basis,” says 26-year-old Schulting. “It is above all a nice sports-technical incentive. It is a nice incentive to be able to do long track training at Jumbo. I am convinced that long track makes me a better short tracker.”

The Jumbo skating team has also signed short tracker Selma Poutsma and 17-year-old top talent Angel Daleman. They will also sign until the 2026 Olympic Games and they will also continue to train with the national short rack team led by national coach Niels Kerstholt.

“The basis remains the national short track team,” said Schulting. “The long track training and training camps take place at Jumbo. That is revolutionary. Especially because there are three of us. It is very special.”

Long track skating is not new to Schulting. She also combined both disciplines towards the 2022 Olympic Games. “Short track remains the most important, but I am convinced that long track success can also come from there.”

“The possibility is always there,” she continues about possible participation in long track competitions. “I will always be open to that. I have been doing long track skating all my life and have a big heart for long track. It just has to fit into the program.”

For Sven Kramer, commercial director of Jumbo, adding three short track skaters to the skating team is a logical step in the development of both sports. “Long track speed skating and short track speed skating are increasingly coming together,” says Kramer.

“If you look at where the talents (on long track, ed.) come from, short track has a big impact,” the former skater continues. “It is important to look for synergy for the growth of youth and our future heroes.”

Kramer: ‘It is important to look for synergy between long track and short track’

Kramer also emphasizes that short track remains the most important for Schulting. “The priority is to win Olympic gold on the short track track. If she wins gold, that will be fantastic. A multiple Olympic champion is always good for a team. That motivates everyone. It’s about the interaction.”

The arrival of short track star Schulting is offset by the loss of top skater Jutta Leerdam. Last Monday it was announced that negotiations between Jumbo and 25-year-old Leerdam have been stopped.

“There is no resentment at all,” says Kramer. “It is a great pity, we would have liked to continue it, but in the sporting line of Jac (Orie, ed.) with a commitment. If we cannot find each other, it is better to part ways.”

Kramer about break with Leerdam: ‘I would like to continue, but on a sporting line Jac’

Leerdam called the explanation about her alleged lack of “commitment” on Instagram earlier this week “very unfortunate and disrespectful”.

“That may be,” Kramer responds. “We will never consciously harm anyone. We have been very honest. Jac is our head coach and he has a sporting line. I firmly believe in that. That is what we are all going for. If you think you can win gold in a different way, can achieve that.”