After one week of work it was again busy at the Thialf ice rink. Just one week after the Dutch Championship the contestant from all over the world were planning to show their strenght to all the other speedskaters. Due to some serious and heavily busy schedule this winter season at the Thialf ice rink I'm trying to combine the moments on the ice with some things that I find interesting to photograph and what others don't photograph.

Russia the land of opportunities and where athletes such as the speedskater have to work pretty hard to earn some money with it. Discipline is a thing that is well known by the Russian speedskaters. This coach I wouldn't trust him on his blue eyes.

#1




The titel of this picture could have been " economic crisis hits topsport" in comparison to last year it was awkward to see a popular Dutch speedskater thanking the audience that isn't there.

#2



For my self I like this one a lot. I love the gun and not the electronic gun to start the race. Near the position of the starter fumes of gunpowder and sulfur penetrates your nose. The barrel gets filled after each shot ( there's only one bullit in the chamber )

#3



Russian discipline was named earlier, these pair of skates grabbed my attention on the first attempt of the ladies 500m. Although the ladie with the skates was starting at the inner lane ( not that good to take a close up like this without heavy cropping ) a day later I got my chance when she started for the 2nd 500m race in the outer lane ;)

#4



Go to the start.......ready and the mirror of my camera went nuts just to capture the large flames.


#5



Favourite distance is the 500m, 1 lap, and a fight until the end
#6



Jenny Wolf a couple of moment before the second start of her race. She moved before the start which resulted in a red flag ( right hand corner )

#7




Sport is emotion ( that's why I like it so much ) and the grandstands were almost sold out entirely. The last race consisted out of Bob de Jong ( Dutch ) against Håvard Bøkko ( norge )
On saturday Bob de Jong celebrated his 34th birthday and his present came on sunday where he managed to maintain his lead over Russian and fastest on that moment Ivan Skobrev.
All the Dutchies went banana's when Bob was 1.5 sec under the time of Ivan.


#8