– Can probably get help from the girlfriend’s trainers

Skating profiler Jutta Leerdam (25) is aiming alone for the 2026 Olympics.

Thursday 9 May at 16:59

Her former competitor Hege Bøkko believes that the Dutch superstar can succeed and that she can get help from her boyfriend, the boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul, and his people.

– It’s cool that she bets alone. It will be exciting to see, but if there is anyone who can do it, it is Jutta, says Bøkko to VG.

– She probably has her finances in order so that she can go to the training camps that she needs. I myself liked being in a team and having a back to hang on to, but Jutta is technically stable and also physically in order.

– I have seen that she has been with her boyfriend Jake Paul this spring, and she can probably get help from her boyfriend’s trainers. At least they know the physical part, even if they don’t know how to skate, says Hege Bøkko.

In April, it became known that Leerdam will not continue in the big team Jumbo-Visma. Then there were rumors that she was going to sign for Team IKO, but on Thursday she herself announced on Instagram that nothing would come of it and that she was thinking of betting “individually”.

– I have doubted a lot in the last two months, weighed options and tried to fit into certain structures, writes Leerdam.

– Each path has its advantages and disadvantages.

Hege Bøkko has not heard about the decision when VG calls her:

– It’s resilient! she says about Leerdam’s choice.

– But I’m guessing she’ll do just fine.

In April 2023, the 25-year-old caused the internet to boil when she could reveal that she had found the tone with boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul (27).

Her big goal is Olympic gold in the 1000 meters in 2026.

She had to settle for bronze at this distance in the WC this winter, while the year before she won gold.