Selma Poutsma was tense at the start of her first race in the 500 metres. Not only because the World Championships is being held in the Netherlands and she is considered one of the favourites at the shortest distance, but mainly because she always struggles with that first race.
Selma Poutsma rode the second time in the preliminary round of the 500 metres, although her ride was not flawless. “At the beginning of the race, I had a few misses. The first heat is always a bit of an income for me. The head has to be off. Not only at such a big tournament, but always the first ride is a thing. The unpleasant feeling starts the night before.”
It’s a battle between her feelings and her mind. “I always have nerves before that first one and then tell myself that there is no need to be so tense, because every time it goes well.” Such was the case on the opening day of the Rotterdam short track event. With her explosive start, she grabbed the lead position, after which she was able to accelerate. At the end of the race, her legs started to fill up, but the lead over her competitors was already big enough. “When I crossed the finish line with a good result, a burden fell off my shoulders,” she said.
With her two World Cup wins and four second places, she is the big favourite in the 500 metres alongside Xandra Velzeboer. “That does create expectations and a bit of pressure, which I put on myself. Such a big tournament at home with a completely different role than last year in the 500 metres is a bit exciting. If you want to show it somewhere, it’s at this tournament. The 500 metres is the only distance I race individually, that’s where it has to happen,” the winner of bronze at last year’s edition sounds.
That she was not as exuberant as Jens van ‘t Wout or Suzanne Schulting – both took the time to wave to the crowd before and after their races – does not mean Poutsma could not take in the atmosphere. “I already liked it when I was introduced by the speaker before the ride. I am in my focus at such times, but also have a moment to listen to the cheering. Beforehand, I didn’t know whether I would wave or not. Especially in the first ride, I felt the need to stay subdued. Maybe tomorrow I will be a little looser at the start. The tension of the first day is off now. I am looking forward to the rest.”
