Carien Kleibeuker

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Carien Kleibeuker (Heerenveen, March 12, 1978) is a Dutch speed skater who is specialised in the long distances, over 3000 and mainly over 5000 metres.

During the Dutch Single Distance Championships Kleibeuker won her first medal at an highly rated tournament as she finished in third position at the 5000 metres. In the following years she participated, but never managed to equal or improve her effort from 2000, until December 2005, when she won the race over 5000 metres in the B-Group at a World Cup meeting. This effort secured her a nomination for the 2006 Winter Olympics held in Turin. A top-3 ranking at the 2005 Dutch Single Distance Championships would definitely qualify her for the Olympics. She let no hesitation and won the distance with big names as Renate Groenewold, Gretha Smit and Moniek Kleinsman behind her. At the Olympics Kleibeuker would finish in 10th position.

Besides long track speed skating, Kleibeuker also is a marathon speed skater. As of the 2007-08 season she will only focus on marathon skating, dropping her long track appearances.