ISU

The moment comes sooner or later for every athlete – the moment to end the competitive career. It is not an easy step as you have change your lifestyle and find new goals. Canadian Pair Skater Eric Radford, 38, did it even twice.

From beating her generation’s most successful skaters in her marquee event, to smashing a long-standing world record and then dominating the 2023 KB Financial Group ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, Xandra Velzeboer (NED) enjoyed a truly dreamy 2022-23 Short Track season.

We’re getting closer to the official start of the skating season with the first ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating event in Bangkok, Thailand, later this month. Before we are fully switching to competition mode, we have some more news and updates for you.

While it’s summer time and many are enjoying holidays to relax, athletes are actually working hard to get ready for the upcoming competitive season. Let’s have a look at what the Speed- and Short Track skaters do to stay strong physically and mentally during the summer break.

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) has been selected as a finalist for the Women’s Sports Foundation’s 2023 Individual Sportswoman of the Year Award.

The International Skating Union (ISU) today announced the appointment of Colin Smith as its new Director General. Following an extensive and global search process, the ISU Council decided he is the right person to take the ISU as an organization and the ISU sports to the next level. Colin will succeed Fredi Schmid, who has been the ISU Director General since 1996 and retires effective at the end of 2023. Colin will join the ISU in October 2023 to ensure a smooth transition, and effective January 1, 2024, he will assume all responsibilities of the ISU Director General.

Being able to keep up with the intense training demands and recover quickly thereafter is essential for athletes performing in both Speed Skating and Short Track Skating. With some races being as “short” as just 40 seconds, people might think nutrition isn’t that important for Skaters. But actually it is a game changer. The right diet is definitely a key to success. Let’s have a closer look at what top Speed and Short Track Skaters are eating to stay healthy and energized on and off the competition season.

The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time World Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) is a trendsetter. It starts with her energetic way of skating and does not end with her exciting programs. The upbeat 23-year-old defended her World title last March in her home country, becoming the first Japanese Skater to win back-to-back World titles (teammate Shoma Uno followed her example in the Men’s event by remaining the reigning World Champion this year after his win in 2022).

The International Skating Union (ISU) has published the International Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating Competitions for the season 2023/24.

The International Skating Union (ISU) has published the International Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating Competitions for the season 2023/24.

Canadian Ice Dancers and silver medalists at the 2023 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sorensen acknowledge that there is still more to be done behind the scenes to achieve true equity and diversity in the sport.

 You can’t wait for the season to start? The Skaters are getting more and more excited as well. Let’s see what they have been up to recently. 

While it’s summer time and many are enjoying holidays to relax, athletes are actually working hard to get ready for the upcoming competitive season. Let’s have a look at what the Speed- and Short Track skaters do to stay strong physically and mentally during the summer break.

Joey Mantia (USA) assumed the role of anchor for the US Speed Skating team after the retirement of the legendary Shani Davis in 2019. However, after years of dedication and remarkable achievements, Mantia himself decided to hang up his blades last week. 

A winter sports athlete lays the foundation for success in the summer. However, with all the intense training and ongoing preparation for the season ahead, it is also important to balance with physical and mental recovery routines.