Falko Zandstra

Falko Zandstra (born December 27 1971 in Heerenveen, Friesland) is a former Dutch speed skater. Because of his thin legs he was also called "de Gespierde Spijker" which translates to "the Muscular Nail".

Biography

Zandstra was a natural talent who had his career peak at a very young age. In 1990 and 1991 he became junior world champion. In 1991 he won with a world record in the small combination. In his international debute year 1992 he became European Champion Allround and finished second in the World Allround Championships, after Roberto Sighel. In that season he also won the World Cup at the 1500 meters and a silver medal at the Winter Olympics in the 5000 meters. A year later, in 1993 he became World champion and European champion again.

From 1994 on, it went downwards with his career. At the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer he won the bronze medal in the 1500 meters and finished fourth in the 5000 and 10000 meters. He also won the 1500 meters World Cup again. In 1995 he finished second in the European championships. At the World championships that year, he fell during the 1500 meters when he threw his arm band (which is used to indicate in which lane a skater has started) over his own skate. Because of this he didn't qualify for the 10000 meters.

For 49 days, from January 23 till March 13 1993, Falko Zandstra was the leader in the Adelskalender.

After his career as speed skater, Zandstra switched to marathon skating but he had little success in this and in 1999 he quit skating at all. Nowadays he runs his own company in roof and wall plating called "Falko Dak & Wand" in Heerenveen. He is married to former Dutch speed skater Ellen Linnenbank.

World records

In the course of his career, Zandstra skated nine world records, of which six were junior world records:

* 3000-m Junior: 4.02,10 (Heerenveen, 13 March 1990; beaten by Zandstra)
* Allround Junior: 159.753 (Heerenveen, 17 February 1991; beaten by Zandstra)
* Small Allround: 159.753 (Heerenveen, 17 February 1991; beaten by Zandstra)
* 3000-m Junior: 3.57,64 (Calgary, 1 March 1991; beaten by Bob de Jong, 8 March 1996)
* 1500-m Junior: 1.53,26 (Calgary, 2 March 1991; beaten by Yusuke Imai, 2 March 1996)
* 5000-m Junior: 6.47,10 (Calgary, 3 March 1991; beaten by Bob de Jong, 10 March 1996)
* Allround Junior: 156.059 (Calgary, 3 March 1991; beaten by Choi Jae-Bong, 29 November 1998)
* Small Allround: 156.059 (Calgary, 3 March 1991; beaten by KC Boutiette, 15 March 1997)
* Allround: 156.882 (Heerenveen, 24 January 1993; beaten by Rintje Ritsma, 9 January 1994)

Personal records

External links

* [http://www.skateresults.com/skater/show/1213 Falko Zandstra at SkateResults.com]
* [http://www.falkodakenwand.nl/ Website of Falko Zandstra's company]