Dissatisfaction over 'hopeless calendar' at the start of the skating season: 'A very stupid idea'

Femke Kok, who set a world record in November, expresses disappointment over the calendar's impact on achieving another record this season. Kjeld Nuis criticizes the scheduling of national championships, which conflicts with the World Cup in Salt Lake City, making it hard for athletes to acclimatize. Coaches from various teams believe commercial interests influenced the calendar decisions, prioritizing ticket sales over athlete performance. The KNSB has adjusted selection rules to give top skaters a better chance at the World Cup, allowing pre-selection based on World Cup standings. However, this change has sparked criticism among coaches who argue it undermines the competitive spirit that has driven Dutch speed skating success.