Falko Zandstra

Falko Zandstra (born 27 December 1971) 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 born in Heerenveen, Friesland. He 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 debut 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, his career went downwards. 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 10,000 meters.

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

After his career, Zandstra switched to marathon skating with little success and he quit skating in 1999. Today 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:

Source: SpeedSkatingStats.com

Personal records

Source: www.isu.org

Tournament overview Season Dutch Championships Sprint Dutch Championships Single DistancesDutch Championships Allround European Championships Allround Olympic Games World Championships Allround World Championships Junior Allround 1988–89 12th 1500m 1989–90 11th 500m 1000m 8th 500m 1000m 5th overall 8th 500m 4th 1000m 11th 1500m 5000m 7th 500m 3000m 1500m 5000m overall 1990–91 6th 500m 6th 5000m 11th 1500m 7th 10000m 5th overall 500m 3000m 1500m 5000m overall 1991–92 1000m 1500m 5th 5000m 4th 10000m 500m 5000m 1500m 10000m overall 5th 500m 4th 5000m 1500m 10000m overall 10th 1000m 7th 1500m 5000m 7th 500m 5000m 1500m 10000m overall 1992–93 NC 500m 1500m 5000m 10000m 500m 5000m 1500m 10000m overall 500m 5000m 1500m 10000m overall ♦4th 500m 5000m 1500m 10000m overall 1993–94 4th 1500m 5000m 10000m 500m 6th 5000m 5th 1500m 5th 10000m 4th overall 4th 500m 5000m 1500m 5th 10000m overall 1500m 4th 5000m 4th 10000m 1994–95 1500m 5000m 10000m 500m 5000m 1500m 10000m overall 4th 500m 5000m 1500m 10000m overall 7th 500m 15th 5000m 35th 1500m DNQ 10000m NC overall(26th) 1995–96 5th 500m 5th 5000m 5th 1500m 4th 10000m 4th overall 1996–97 4th 500m 5000m 4th 1500m 10000m overall 4th 500m 5th 5000m 1500m 5th 10000m overall 12th 500m 22nd 5000m 15th 1500m DNQ 10000m NC overall(14th) 1997–98 7th 1500m 5th 5000m 10000m 24th 500m 5000m 1500m 10000m 11th overall 5th 500m 9th 5000m 8th 1500m 8th 10000m 5th overall DNQ = Did not qualify for the final event NC = No classification source:

Medals won ChampionshipGold Silver Bronze Dutch Allround European Allround World Allround World Junior Allround Olympic Games