Xandra Velzeboer (NED) is the fastest woman on ice. The 500m world record holder and reigning World Champion is the woman to beat in Short Track’s shortest distance – and she isn’t in the mood to give up her throne in a hurry.
The 22-year-old is also improving her all-round game quickly, too: Velzeboer has been getting increasingly good results in the 1000m – she is World Champion in that distance too – putting her in contention for the ISU Crystal Globe this season, and no doubt for the many years ahead.
As well as being a superlative individual skater, Velzeboer is also a great teammate. She has been a central cog as the Netherlands women’s team have risen to prominence: alongside world class racers like Suzanne Schulting (NED) and Selma Poutsma (NED), the team have become the ones to beat in the 3000m relay – a distance in which they also hold the world record.
Velzeboer often finds herself battling Schulting and Poutsma for individual medals, but it hasn’t come between them, and they maintain a close friendship.
She’s a great lover of the unpredictable nature of her sport. Despite its thrills and spills – and the way it can expose you to terrible luck sometimes, it is this excitement she is drawn to.
In this film she explains how she deals with all the challenges that come with the event, as we look ahead to the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships on her home ice in Rotterdam. She also discusses her favourite music, her superstitions, and the feeling of winning gold…
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