The International Skating Union (ISU) announces the launch of This is UpAgain: A Speed Skating documentary. The four-part short-form documentary series follows the stories of five athletes who competed in the 2021 Speed Skating Hub, that took place in Heerenveen, The Netherlands, in January and February and Premieres Friday, July 2 via the ISU Newsletter.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the world of sport came to a standstill. Uncertainty loomed and the Speed Skating season seemed doomed, so when the ISU announced the Speed Skating Hub to be held over 5 weeks, there were mixed feelings from the community. Some were impatient to get back to competing, while others thought it would never happen.
As the athletes settled into the Competition Bubble, doubts started to evaporate, their confidence grew and they wanted to prove to the world that with determination and commitment anything is possible. This is their #UpAgain story, at a time like no other.
Follow three-time ISU World Speed Skating Mass Start Champion Joey Mantia (USA), the ISU World Junior Speed Skating 1000m Champion Peder Kongshaug (NOR), two-time ISU World Speed Skating Mass Start Champion Ivanie Blondin (CAN), ISU European Speed skating Mass Start Champion Francesca Lollobrigida (ITA) and two-time ISU World Speed Skating 1500m and Team Sprint Champion as well as ISU European Speed Skating 1500m and Sprint Champion Thomas Krol (NED) through their #UpAgain journey, as they get back on the International Competition ice.
EPISODES
Episode 1: Hope
A look back at when the pandemic brought the world of sport to a halt and the impact it had on the daily lives of professional Speed Skaters. For some, small changes and adaptation had to be made, for others their whole world got turned upside down with no competitions on the horizon.
Episode 2: Focus
Skaters arrive in Heerenveen, integrate the Competition Bubble, discover their new environment and start training on the ice. They gradually learn how to live in the Bubble and shift their attention to what they love the most, competitive Speed Skating. Finally they can focus on getting the job done on a level playing field within the excellent conditions of the Thialf Oval.
Episode 3: Home
Skaters are now used to being in the Bubble and feel at home in their hotel and the Thialf Oval. They are comfortable and safe but with two World Cups done and dusted, there are 10 days to fill before the much anticipated ISU World Speed Skating Championships. Find out what athletes do in their free time and how they keep boredom at bay and motivation high in such a restricted environment.
Episode 4: Rise Up
As the ISU World Speed Skating Championships loom and despite the lack of spectators in the stands, tension is high. Will the Skaters give in to the pressure or rise to the occasion? No matter what, each athlete shows the world what it means to them to get #UpAgain.
For further information visit ISU.org/Documentary
Where to Watch
This is UpAgain: A Speed Skating documentary Premieres Friday, July 2 via the ISU Newsletter and the full series will launch publicly on Friday July 9 on the Skating ISU YouTube and Facebook ISU Speed Skating page. Subscribe to the ISU Newsletter to receive the latest information from the ISU and you can also subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive notifications when live streams or new videos are published. Don’t forget to watch This is #UpAgain Shows and listen to the The Ice Skating Podcast, out every other week.
Highlights, clips, interviews, behind the scenes:
YouTube: ISU Skating
IG: @ISUSpeedSkating
Facebook: @ISUSpeedSkating
Twitter: @ISU_Speed
Follow the conversation with #SpeedSkating and #UpAgain
