Christine AAFTINK

Christine Aaftink was the best Dutch sprinter in the first half of the 1990s. She made her international debut in 1988 when she surprisingly placed 8th in the World Sprint Championships. This results qualified her for her first Olympic Games in Calgary, but she didn't place better than 12th in the 1000 m. The following year, she improved even more and took 5th place in the World Sprint Championships in her home country. In 1990, she won the first 1,000 m of the World Sprints and eventually placed third. She led the tournament in Inzell 1991 after the first day, but a weaker second day moved her back to third place again. A favourite for a medal at the Olympics in Albertville, Aaftink twice failed narrowly with a fifth position in the 500 and a fourth in the 1,000. In 1993, she had another chance at a World Sprints podium, but strong winds on the final distance prevented this. Aaftink's third Olympics became a disappointment, finishing 19th and 20th. She ended her international career with a 5th place in the 1,000 m of the inaugural World Single Distance Championships in 1996. In national championships, Aaftink won seven consecutive 500 metre titles (1990-96) and five 1,000 metre titles (1990-94). She won the Dutch sprinting title seven times (1987-1990 and 1992-1994) and has won one World Cup race, over 500 metres. After her active career, Aaftink took up coaching for a minor commercial team before joining the Dutch skating federation board.

Personal Bests\: 500 – 39.88 (1996); 1000 – 1:20.21 (1996); 1500 – 2:11.57 (1994); 3000 – 5:04.33 (1987).