Otterspeer barely holds up on the 500 meters, Bosa takes the lead

David Bosa surprisingly won the first 500 meters at the European sprint in Hamar. The 30-year-old Italian was fastest in the shortest sprint distance with 35.02. Merijn Scheperkamp became the fastest Dutchman with 35.04 and finished in second place. Hein Otterspeer almost crashed in the final corner and finished fifth.

Bosa never won a World Cup medal in the 500m in his career. He ran against Merijn Scheperkamp, ​​who was on the World Cup podium for the first time this season after a race over 500 metres.

The 22-year-old Dutch sprinter won bronze in Heerenveen last November and proved once again on Friday evening in Hamar that he has a strong 500m in his legs. His opponent Bosa, on the other hand, was only faster. The Italian pushed his skate over the finish line a little earlier.

Otterspeer set the fifth fastest time. He is one of the favorites for the European sprint title, but got off to a good start at the first distance. In the last inside corner he had a lot of trouble staying upright. He staggered and ended up in the path of his opponent Piotr Michalski.

The jury looked into it later, because it could have hindered Michalski with that action. However, Otterspeer’s time stood still.

At the age of 34, Otterspeer became the oldest Dutch sprint champion a week and a half ago. In his own words, he is “fitter than ever” and after four national titles and two international sprint silver medals (European and World Championships), this weekend comes the first international title.

“Just keep your head up,” he concluded before the tournament. “I have all the colors of the medals, but not the gold yet. Let’s change it this season.”

Kai Verbij had this season, also due to some health problems, a difficult startbut it’s getting better and better. At NK he came close to winning the first 500 meters and finished third in the final standings.

At the European Championship sprint he ran against the Estonian Marten Liiv. Two-time European champion Verbij was no match for 26-year-old Liiv and finished in 35.11. That time was good for fourth place, Liiv finished third.

Not only will sprinters compete for European Championship medals this weekend in Hamar, all-rounders will also be present. That tournament kicks off on Saturday, with the women’s and men’s 500 meters, women’s 3,000 meters, and men’s 5,000 meters. Sunday is the last day of the European Allround Championships.

The sprint tournament decisions will fall on Saturday, then there are another 500 and 1,000 meters scheduled for the women and men.