Moniek Kleinsman
Encyclopedia
Moniek Kleinsman is a Dutch
speed skater
who was born in Bentelo
, Overijssel
and currently resides in Wolvega. She competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics
.
Kleinsman got her first speed skating lessons at the age of four. A few years later, when she was getting more serious into the sport she was mainly focussing on short track speed skating
, just like her brother. However, at the age of twelve she decided to concentrate on long track speed skating
instead.
After competing among the seniors for a few years her breakthrough came in the 2004-05 season, when she won the Dutch national allround championships. That season she appeared on World Cup meets, became 7th at the European allround championships, followed by an eighth position at the World allround championships. Finally, at the KNSB Dutch Single Distance Championships
she won two bronze medals over 3000 and 5000 metres.
On 28 December 2005 Kleinsman qualified herself for the 2006 Winter Olympics
in Turin
at the 3000 metres. It was the third time behind Ireen Wüst
and Renate Groenewold
. A second try to qualify for the race over 5000 metres fails as she became fourth, however she skated a personal best time that day.
Prior to the 2006 Winter Olympics Kleinsman became under pressure by the Dutch media as it was unsure whether 2002 Winter Olympics
silver medalist Gretha Smit
could participate at the Olympic 5000 metres race. Smit finished third at the Dutch qualifying competition where only the first and second rider automatically qualified. The third spot had to be won during the Olympic 3000 metres race. To accomplish this three Dutch riders had to finish among the first 16 riders on the distance. Ireen Wüst and Renate Groenewold were expected to do this and indeed reached their goal with Wüst even winning the gold medal. Kleinsman was expected to reach the first 16 as well, but there were some doubts by analysts and the pressure on Kleinsman rose.
In the end Kleinsman under performed in her race, finishing in 17th position behind Anna Rokita
who skated almost a second faster. As a result Smit was unable to start at the 5000 metres and Kleinsman got under fire by the media again. Her reaction was that she felt sorry for Smit, but that it was not her problem. She did all she could, but was unable to skate faster. She said people should not blame her, if Smit wanted to race in Turin she had to skate faster at the qualifying tournament. Later during the Games she also skated in the pursuit team, where Smit also participated in. Kleinsman was unable to follow the team as soon as the half way mark was passed and the other members had to slow their speed. In the elimination rounds the Dutch faced high favourites Germany
and were eliminated.
Unless her words the pressure remained and she had a hard time during her preparations for the next season. She was unable to get back to her good form she constantly had before the Turin incident and did not qualify for any of the major tournaments in the season like the World Cups, continental and world championships. However, besides her speed skating she still studies nursing
in Enschede
and therefore was eligible to qualify for the 2007 Winter Universiade
, which were also held in Turin.
Kleinsman succeeded in the qualification program and was determined for another chance in Turin and to close the subject that resulted in her bad period. At the 1500 metres she did well among the top skaters and finished in a third position, which was good for a bronze medal. She also won a silver medal over 5000 metres and a gold in the team pursuit alongside Janneke Ensing
and Diane Valkenburg
.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
speed skater
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
who was born in Bentelo
Bentelo
Bentelo is a small farming village in the Dutch municipality Hof van Twente. The village had 2110 inhabitants in 2006.The village is a centre for intensive cattle farming....
, Overijssel
Overijssel
Overijssel is a province of the Netherlands in the central eastern part of the country. The region has a NUTS classification of NL21. The province's name means "Lands across river IJssel". The capital city of Overijssel is Zwolle and the largest city is Enschede...
and currently resides in Wolvega. She competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over ten days, from 11 February to 21 February. Twelve events were contested at the Oval Lingotto.-Medal table:-Men's events:* Skaters who did not participate in the final, but received medals....
.
Kleinsman got her first speed skating lessons at the age of four. A few years later, when she was getting more serious into the sport she was mainly focussing on short track speed skating
Short track speed skating
Short track speed skating is a form of competitive ice speed skating. In competitions, multiple skaters skate on an oval ice track with a circumference of 111.12 m...
, just like her brother. However, at the age of twelve she decided to concentrate on long track speed skating
Long track speed skating
Speed skating is an Olympic sport where competitors are timed while crossing a set distance. It is also a sport for leisure. Sports such as short track speedskating, inline speedskating, and quad speed skating are also called speed skating...
instead.
After competing among the seniors for a few years her breakthrough came in the 2004-05 season, when she won the Dutch national allround championships. That season she appeared on World Cup meets, became 7th at the European allround championships, followed by an eighth position at the World allround championships. Finally, at the KNSB Dutch Single Distance Championships
KNSB Dutch Single Distance Championships
The Dutch Single Distance Championships of speed skating, organised by the KNSB, is the official Dutch championship to determine the Dutch champion over a single distance, in contrast to the KNSB Dutch Allround Championships, which determine the Dutch allround champion...
she won two bronze medals over 3000 and 5000 metres.
On 28 December 2005 Kleinsman qualified herself for the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
at the 3000 metres. It was the third time behind Ireen Wüst
Ireen Wüst
Ireen Wüst is a Dutch long track allround speed skater. At the age of 19, on February 12, 2006, Wüst won the gold medal in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games 3000-meter event...
and Renate Groenewold
Renate Groenewold
Renate Groenewold is a Dutch long track speed skater and road bicycle racer.Groenewold has won several Dutch Championships....
. A second try to qualify for the race over 5000 metres fails as she became fourth, however she skated a personal best time that day.
Prior to the 2006 Winter Olympics Kleinsman became under pressure by the Dutch media as it was unsure whether 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
silver medalist Gretha Smit
Gretha Smit
Gretha Smit is a Dutch speed skater.Smit won a surprising silver medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics in the 5000 meter event. She skated a world record broken in a later pair by Claudia Pechstein...
could participate at the Olympic 5000 metres race. Smit finished third at the Dutch qualifying competition where only the first and second rider automatically qualified. The third spot had to be won during the Olympic 3000 metres race. To accomplish this three Dutch riders had to finish among the first 16 riders on the distance. Ireen Wüst and Renate Groenewold were expected to do this and indeed reached their goal with Wüst even winning the gold medal. Kleinsman was expected to reach the first 16 as well, but there were some doubts by analysts and the pressure on Kleinsman rose.
In the end Kleinsman under performed in her race, finishing in 17th position behind Anna Rokita
Anna Rokita
Anna Rokita is an Austrian long track speed skater who participates in international competitions.-Personal records:-Career highlights:Olympic Winter Games...
who skated almost a second faster. As a result Smit was unable to start at the 5000 metres and Kleinsman got under fire by the media again. Her reaction was that she felt sorry for Smit, but that it was not her problem. She did all she could, but was unable to skate faster. She said people should not blame her, if Smit wanted to race in Turin she had to skate faster at the qualifying tournament. Later during the Games she also skated in the pursuit team, where Smit also participated in. Kleinsman was unable to follow the team as soon as the half way mark was passed and the other members had to slow their speed. In the elimination rounds the Dutch faced high favourites Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and were eliminated.
Unless her words the pressure remained and she had a hard time during her preparations for the next season. She was unable to get back to her good form she constantly had before the Turin incident and did not qualify for any of the major tournaments in the season like the World Cups, continental and world championships. However, besides her speed skating she still studies nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
in Enschede
Enschede
Enschede , also known as Eanske in the local dialect of Twents, is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands in the province of Overijssel and in the Twente region...
and therefore was eligible to qualify for the 2007 Winter Universiade
2007 Winter Universiade
The 2007 Winter Universiade, the XXIII Winter Universiade, took place in Turin, Italy from January 17 to January 27, 2007.-Opening ceremony:The Opening Ceremony of the XXIII Winter Universiade Torino 2007 was held with a cast of acrobats, circus performers and dancers.The evening began with the...
, which were also held in Turin.
Kleinsman succeeded in the qualification program and was determined for another chance in Turin and to close the subject that resulted in her bad period. At the 1500 metres she did well among the top skaters and finished in a third position, which was good for a bronze medal. She also won a silver medal over 5000 metres and a gold in the team pursuit alongside Janneke Ensing
Janneke Ensing
Janneke Ensing is a Dutch speed skater who is specialised in short and middle distances.In 2002 she was the Dutch National C-junior champion. Two years later she won a bronze medal as a B-junior...
and Diane Valkenburg
Diane Valkenburg
Diane Valkenburg is a Dutch speed skater who is specialised in middle distances and was born in Bergschenhoek.She represented her country at the 2007 Winter Universiade held in Turin where she won the gold medal at the team pursuit together with Moniek Kleinsman and Janneke Ensing.She is...
.