Kuipers, Groothuis qualify in 1,500 for Dutch speedskating team at Vancouver Olympics

Dutch speedskaters qualify for Vancouver Games

HEERENVEEN, Netherlands — Simon Kuipers and Stefan Groothuis have qualified for the 1,500-meters speedskating event at the Vancouver Olympics after finishing first and second at the Dutch trials.

In the women’s 500-meters, Annette Gerritsen and Margot Boer finished first and second Tuesday at Thialf Ice Stadium and both qualified for Vancouver.

Kuipers won in 1 minute, 45.39 seconds. He earned his third berth for Vancouver after also qualifying for the 500 and 1,000. Groothuis also qualified for the 1,000.

Mark Tuitert was third and also qualified to skate the 1,500 at the Winter Olympics from Feb. 12-28.