World Indoor 2023

[Awsi Dooger]

Assuming they all advance to the European final it will be interesting to see the first lap strategy between Klaver, Kielbasinka and Bol. Seemingly all three want to get there somewhere around 23.8 and 23.9. After Saturday's races Klaver and Kielbasinka will be extra wary of Bol on the first lap. They may press the issue. Bol can afford to cross in second but not in third.

Last year Shaunae Miller-Uibo took it out in 23.45 in the world indoor final. Bol was so concerned about Stephanie McPherson after the semifinal she was her fastest ever, something like 23.7. Bol suffered a bit to 50.59 at that point. This year I think she could afford 23.7 to clear traffic and still hold on in low 50 range.

Regardless, it's great to see some renewed energy in the women's 400 indoors. I've never understood why that's such a collapse prone event, particularly among Americans. It's ridiculous to see so many 24ish openers turn into 51 high.

[gm]

Name some...

[Ernst Klaas]

Assuming they all advance to the European final it will be interesting to see the first lap strategy between Klaver, Kielbasinka and Bol. Seemingly all three want to get there somewhere around 23.8 and 23.9. After Saturday's races Klaver and Kielbasinka will be extra wary of Bol on the first lap. They may press the issue. Bol can afford to cross in second but not in third.

If Klaver or Kielbasinka force 23.8 in the first lap, Bol's second lap might be a full second faster than Klaver's or Kielbasinka's second... My (not so) humble opinion

[Ernst Klaas]

Cathelijn Peeters went under 53 for the first time indoors today, albeit barely at 52.92. It presents an interesting situation for Meuwly because the non-Papendal Peeters has been faster than his second tier relay group this winter, defined as anyone not named Bol or Klaver. Peeters doesn't have much speed or upside but she is tenacious and with stamina. The trust issue may play a role after the dropped baton in Eugene.

It will come down to next weekend at nationals. That second tier of Saalberg, De Witte, Bouma and Peeters figure to finish fairly tight to each other. Last year Peeters didn't feel she fully belonged and seemed embarrassed to sneak into the final in lane one, where she was compromised. If Saalberg and others want to relegate the outsider again they'll have to emphasize the heat at 52.5 level to stick Peeters in a poor lane again. Otherwise she's more dangerous this year in the final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0WiaMmf_F8

Peeters had already 53.16 which is must faster than both Bouma and De Witte this season. So unless Bouma (53.74) or De Witte (54.08) improves a lot, I don't think they can bypass Peeters... I don't think they should bypass Peeters.

[Revenant]

Cathelijn Peeters went under 53 for the first time indoors today, albeit barely at 52.92.
It will come down to next weekend at nationals. That second tier of Saalberg, De Witte, Bouma and Peeters figure to finish fairly tight to each other.

Peeters certainly finishes stronger than Saalberg, who is faster over 200m. However, what does go against Peeters is her lack of experience, especially against top quality opposition. Whilst Van de Weil & Ooesterwegel were close to her at the break here, she was able to ease ahead unchallenged. She wont have that at the Nationals. In Gent just over a week ago, she did run against more quality opposition, but she was way down at 200m and finished last. Saalberg is a bit more experienced there. Other than that, they are closely matched this season:

52.92 Peeters (Apeldoorn Feb 12)
53.06 Saalberg (Metz)
53.15 Saalberg (Aperldoorn Feb 5)
53.16 Peeters (Apeldoorn Jan 28 ht7)
53.49 Saalberg (Apeldoorn Jan 28 ht8)
53.52 Peeters (Gent)
53.69 Peeters (Dortmund)

Bouma I don't see in the mix. Lisanne is the ? as she generally peaks well but has had just two races. But I could see her dropping 1 second on her SB. Heat line-ups will be critical as you say.

[Steele]

Belgium's Robin Hendrix ran 13:17.45 in the indoor 5k in Boston. Guess whose Belgian record he broke.

[NotDutra5]

Belgium's Robin Hendrix ran 13:17.45 in the indoor 5k in Boston. Guess whose Belgian record he broke.

Puttemans I would guess.

[Ernst Klaas]

In Gent just over a week ago, she [Peeters] did run against more quality opposition, but she was way down at 200m and finished last.

True, but I also see that all four her opponents have outdoor PB's that are at least 1.5 sec better than Peeters' PB. And she ended within 1 sec of the numbers 2, 3 and 4. So a relatively good performance

[Powell]

If Klaver or Kielbasinka force 23.8 in the first lap, Bol's second lap might be a full second faster than Klaver's or Kielbasinka's second... My (not so) humble opinion

I believe Kiełbasińska's first lap in Metz (timed in 23.7) was actually faster than Bol's and she ended up being 1.5s slower. Of course Kiełbasińska is a speed-based runner and she's always going to go off relatively fast, but she clearly overdid it in that race. Then again, it might have been a test to see how she would cope with a superfast opener.

[Awsi Dooger]

Another down year for Jochem Dobber so far. His entry in the national finals 400m heat on Saturday is listed as Canceled. That means the athlete withdrew.

No surprises among entries in the women's 400. Other than the names who have been on relays recently I'd say the only one who possibly could surprise and make the final is Myrte van der Schoot. She is is 18 and the best of the 18-21 bracket that is unfortunately weak, providing no real threat of another relay gem to go along with Bol and Klaver. van der Schoot won the national U20 400 and long jump last weekend. They do a good job televising those events, with an 8 hour YouTube video both Saturday and Sunday. Should be similar this weekend for senior nationals. Sometimes they do separate videos for track events and field events.

I'd say van der Schoot's most likely finish is 7th, or first out of the final. I give her credit for dedication. Last year she ran 16 outdoor 400s and 6 indoor.

BTW, the next generation looks much better. A 14 year old won the U18 400 title and came very close to Bol's championship record set when she was 16. Another 14 year old won the dip for second, narrowly over a 16 year old from Altis, Bol's home club. I think the runner up Maud de Jong is most promising of all. This was her first serious attempt at 400 and she had no idea what she was doing, getting outrun from lane 6 to third place at the junction. But she finished strongly and looked overjoyed at the finish. de Jong has always preferred middle distance. I think this is the first time she realized 400 is an option also, although she won't give up on the 800 after winning that final in a wire to wire stroll.

[El Toro]

Jessica Schilder (b. 1999) has a much better start to the year than last year when her first three comps were 18.43/16.92/18.49, compared to this year's 18.76/19.12. Schilder then went on to throw 4 competitions over 19m, topped by a 19.71 NR in mid-February and a bronze at WIC with 19.48.

At the start of last year, Corrie de Bruin had held the indoor NR for 24 years with 18.97 from 1988. Then both Schilder and Jorinda van Klinken exceeded 19m indoors to surpass de Bruin. Unfortunately, van Klinken didn't achieve this until March, but this did create the unique circumstance of two NED SPers over 19m in the same month and year, although on other sides of the world, with van Klinken in Albuquerque and Schilder in Beograd.

Perhaps this year, we might see them do it in the same competition but with van Klinken eligible for her last indoor season with ASU, it might not be till summer. If it does happen, van Klinken has a long way to go to match Schilder who threw 10 times over 19m including a 20.24 NR outdoors to win the EC in Munich.

Just like indoors, Schilder smashed the 18.87 outdoors NR of de Bruin, also from 1998, a feat also achieved by van Klinken with her 18.94 but again too late for van Klinken to get a record credit after Schilder's earlier success.

While this is a golden age for NED WSP, it's interesting to see that Schilder has not thrown DT since 7 May 2017 with a modest 44.77 PB. Compare this to van Klinken with a 70.22 NR, or a 65.94 if you like to scream WIND!!! Will they eventually go their separate ways or will van Klinken continue to be a legitimate domestic rival in SP?

Well, Van Klinken, hits 19.57i in Albuquerque for an indoor and absolute PB. Pre season, her bests were 19.08i/18.94. This also beats Raven Saunders NCAA record.

To correct my post, Van Klinken has moved from ASU to Oregon for her final season of eligibility without missing a beat. An interesting year awaits in the NED women's throws.

[Revenant]

I believe Kiełbasińska's first lap in Metz (timed in 23.7) was actually faster than Bol's and she ended up being 1.5s slower. Of course Kiełbasińska is a speed-based runner and she's always going to go off relatively fast, but she clearly overdid it in that race. Then again, it might have been a test to see how she would cope with a superfast opener.

I got the impression Kielbasinska was fired up after watching Bol in the previous heat, and the adrenaline made her go off too hard. She blasted out of the blocks. I would also add she seemed to be lagging behind in endurance sessions in training, (apparently she had a small injury). But she's clearly got decent speed. Interesting at the end of the race in Metz when Laurent Meuwly was talking to her, she gestured to her achilles/calf area. Didnt seem serious but I noticed it.

If the rumour is true & Bo does attempt a WR, she should take confidence from her 22.87 and go out in mid 23. She can certainly do that. But it's whether Kielbasinka 'lets her', and by that I mean, whether there's traffic.

I'm also interested to see how measured Klaver's opening 200m will be against Kaczmarek. If this were last season, Klaver would go out in a 23.6 and Kaczmarek would overtake her in the last 50m. But Klaver is more measured now (24.0 and 24.1 opening 200 in her two races...). But again, she has been lucky with slower women in those races....24.1 against Kaczmarek wont give her the gap she might need. Let's see what she decides to do.

[Revenant]

Just looking at the European lists...as it stands today, over a quarter (6) of the top 20 in the w400m are in the Meuwly/Peeters group:

1st Bol
3rd Klaver
5th Kielbasinska
13th Tkachuk
16th Folorunso
16th Lehikoinen

[Ernst Klaas]

A little bird told me Bol might attack the 400 WR in Lievin.

Her trainer said yesterday in an interview: "The world record is not a goal, because indoor remains preparation for the summer for us, but the time is getting closer."
So yes: she might attack it, but it's looks as only "might"

[Revenant]

From what I gather, the Meet organisers have been in conversation with the coaches this week. I agree that it isn't a set/explicit priority for her, however, there have been conversations abut her going out faster and 'seeing what happens'...