Career
She was not selected for the 1964 Winter Olympics because of her "old age" (25 at that time), but later turned out to be the first Dutch female world class speed skater. Her two bronze medals – on the 1,500 m, behind Finnish skater Kaija Mustonen and Dutch compatriot Carry Geijssen, and on the 3,000 m behind compatriot Ans Schut and, once more, Kaija Mustonen – were a bit disappointing. Although she was still a formidable competitor in the years that followed, Kaiser was slightly surpassed at major championships by Atje Keulen-Deelstra, who was the same age as Kaiser.
In 1972, by then married and 33 years old, Baas-Kaiser was no longer really considered to be a favourite, especially not after her disappointing 11th place at the European Allround Championships.
At the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Baas-Kaiser originally was not meant to skate, but since fellow Dutch skater Trijnie Representative had disappointed on the 500 m (finishing 20th) and the 1,000 m (finishing 24th), Baas-Kaiser was given a chance on the 1,500 m and the 3,000 m. She ended her skating career later that year with a silver medal at the World Allround Championships.
In 1967, she was chosen the Dutch Sportswoman of the Year. Over the course of her career, Baas-Kaiser skated nine world records and twenty-seven Dutch records:.
