Jan Smeekens

Jan Smeekens (born February 11, 1987 in Raalte is a Dutch speed skater. He is specialised in riding the 500m.

Smeekens won his first international medal during the 2004 World Junior Single Distance Championships in Moscow where he won the gold medal at the 500m. At the 2006 KNSB Dutch Single Distance Championships on 28 October 2005 he made his début among the senior skaters in his country, resulting in claiming a World Cup spot for races in Collalbo and Baselga di Pinè. In the A-group of these World Cup meetings he finished in 6th and 7th position.

On 7 January 2006, later during the 2005-06 season he also made his début at the 2006 KNSB Dutch Sprint Championships. At these championships he managed to win the second race over 500m. In February 2006 Smeekens signed a professional contract with the TVM Speed skating team.

His first success in his new team was winning a silver medal on the 500m at the 2007 KNSB Dutch Single Distance Championships. He won the first race beating all the favourites, while finishing second behind Jan Bos in the final race. Bos claimed and defended his title.

In 2006 Smeekens the current Dutch Junior record holder on the 500 m with a personal best of 35.16, which he achieved during the 2006 Speed skating finals in Calgary.

External links

* [http://www.jansmeekens.nl Official website]