Femke Kok won the first 500 meters at the NK distances on Saturday. The talented skater of Team Reggeborgh fulfilled her favorite role in Thialf.
Twenty-year-old Kok, who recently already impressed in the 500 meters at training competitions in Heerenveen, clocked a time of 37.88 in a ride against Jorien ter Mors. She was the only one of all eighteen participants to go below 38 seconds.
Jutta Leerdam (38.18) had to settle for second place and Marrit Fledderus rushed to third place in a personal record (38.39). Ter Mors clocked the fourth time (38.64) and has to fear for a place next to the podium.
It is the first time since 2016 that at the NK distances two 500 meters are again run for men and women. In the last three editions, the battle for the title on the shortest distance was decided in one stage. Last year Leerdam won.
The second 500 meters for women is on the program from approximately 2.40 pm. The 1,500 meters for the men (1.45 pm) and the 3,000 meters (3.18 pm) will also be completed on Saturday.
At the NK distances this edition is only competed for the national titles. The World Cups have all been canceled due to the corona crisis and the tournament does not count as a qualifying moment.
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