Blazing Trails: The Top 10 Speed Skating Moments

The thrill of speed–it’s addicting.

If there’s one sport that deserves our utmost admiration and attention, it’s speed skating. The rush of adrenaline and the blur of blades on the ice make for truly spectacular moments that captivate audiences all over the world. In honor of this beloved winter sport, we’ve put together the top 10 speed skating moments of all time.

1. Dan Jansen’s Heartbreaking Loss in 1988

The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of achievement for many athletes, but for Dan Jansen, it proved to be heartbreaking in 1988. After losing his younger sister to leukemia on the day of his first race, he went on to fall in his 500m heat, resetting in the second race, Jansen then fell again. Jansen returned to the Olympic Games four years later and finally won gold in the 1,000m, a monumental moment that will forever be remembered by all speed skating fans.

2. Johann Olav Koss Wins Three Gold Medals in Lillehammer

In 1994, Johann Olav Koss cemented himself into speed skating/ Winter Olympics history with three gold medals in Lillehammer. Not only did he finish first in the 1,500m, but he set world records in both the 1,500m and 10,000m.

3. Bonnie Blair Becomes a Five-Time Olympic Champion in 1994

No one could ever forget the iconic Bonnie Blair, who won five gold medals in her speed skating career the most memorable moment being in 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Games, adding three more to her collection. She truly was a phenomenal athlete and inspiration to all young speed skaters.

4. Eric Heiden Wins Five Gold Medals in One Olympic Games in 1980

One cannot celebrate speed skating without mentioning Eric Heiden’s historic achievement in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. He claimed five gold medals at the games, setting four Olympic records and one world record. Everytime the rounds wind up in the least possible time, they remember almighty Eric Heiden’s unparalleled performance.

5. Shani Davis’ Gold Medal in 2006 in Speed Skating

In no 5 we have  Shani Davis, whose stunning 1500m gold in the 2006 Torino Olympic Games was one for the ages. His triumphs marked the beginning of the end of an entire era for speed skating, and solidified him as one of the greatest athletes in the sports’ rich history.

6. Nao Kodaira Adds Double 500m Japanese Delight in 2018

In Pyeongchang, 2018, Nao Kodaira broke records in the women’s 500m skating event as well as became the first Japanese woman to win an olympic gold medal in long track speed skating. Her infectious jubilation propelled her onto the world stage and ignited a new level of fascination with the sport of speed skating.

7. Three is company double Dutch Dazzle 2014 Olympic Winter

In 2014 England Games, Three milestones went down in one rhythm shuffled in Viktoria Veerman, Linda De Vries, and Dutch squad also came second position in 3000m relay which created great furor among the watchful eyes marking the emergence of the next best thing in speed skating.

8. Yvonne van Gennip Mystically Captivates with Triplet victories of 1988

The crowd grew increasingly speechless as Yvonne van Gennip delivered a flawless performance, securing a trio of olympic golds in the 1988 winter olympic games at Calgary, including beating out Dowell for the 1000 meters title in a dramatic two-lap world record time that still remains controversial highly cherished winning moment.

9. Jeanne Ashworth Unspeakable Joy Climb Pinnacle of Dominance in 1976

“Who was the Wheaties Lady?” Jeanne Ashworth was her name actually, One of the greatest United State’s female skaters of them all, Jane’s medal-winning events highlighted her impeccable skill if she wasn’t already enough of a champion, in 2019, Ashworth was unanimously elected skating historian to the ISU.

10. Mo Tae-bum Slalom Gold Medal in 2010 under South Korea’s Banner

Sometimes it seems that everything is happening more fast, Mo Tae-bum broke the Norwegian-Hollandish hegemony in men’s mass that won since the year of 1994 untroubled by powering through standing curves and impassioned spirits while attaining the peak of Athleticism in electronic time setting new winter olympic record 34.42.

Sit Back and Enjoy All the Speed Held in These Memorable Moments

Without a doubt, speed skating is one of the most thrilling winter sports, showcasing athletes abilities to reach heights of agility, skill and mental ability displaying roaring triumphs and excruciating defeats each tells a memorable story about these sportspersons challenges. Our top 10 picks represent the chills, spills, and thrills of the best speed skating moments of all time. Let’s celebrate these champions together, living and relive their victorious moments that will be engraved in the pages of Winter athleticism forever.