Olympic champion Erin Jackson stepped back onto competitive ice this weekend, marking her first official race since capturing gold at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The 32-year-old speed skater from Ocala, Florida, posted a time of 37.28 seconds in the 500-meter event at the World Cup opener in Stavanger, Norway.
Rust Shows in Season Debut
Jackson’s opening time placed her sixth overall, nearly half a second behind winner Miho Takagi of Japan, who clocked 36.87 seconds. The result represented Jackson’s first competitive 500m since her historic Olympic victory 20 months ago, where she became the first Black woman to win an individual speed skating medal for the United States.
“The body remembers, but the timing takes work,” Jackson said after her race. “I’ve been training consistently, but race pace is different. This gives me a baseline to build from.”
Jackson had taken an extended break from competition following Beijing, exploring opportunities in sports commentary and coaching development programs. Her return comes as the speed skating season builds toward the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, where she aims to defend her title.
Technical Adjustments in Progress
Video analysis showed Jackson’s start reaction time of 0.142 seconds ranked fourth-fastest in the field, but her opening 100-meter split of 10.34 seconds lagged behind her Olympic-winning pace by nearly two-tenths. Her coach, Ryan Shimabukuro, noted mechanical adjustments they’ve implemented during her time away.
“We’ve refined her blade angle and worked extensively on her crossover technique,” Shimabukuro explained. “Erin’s always been a quick learner. The raw speed is there – we just need to fine-tune the execution.”
Jackson’s personal best of 36.80 seconds, set during her Olympic gold medal performance, remains the American record. That time would have placed her second in Saturday’s competition, highlighting both her potential and the work ahead.
Olympic Preparation Timeline
The World Cup circuit includes six stops through February, providing Jackson multiple opportunities to regain race sharpness. Her next competition comes December 8-10 in Calgary, traditionally a fast track where she’s recorded three personal bests.
Jackson’s Olympic triumph represented the culmination of a remarkable journey from inline skating. She transitioned to ice just four years before Beijing, making her gold medal one of the fastest progressions in modern speed skating history. Her return adds star power to a U.S. team looking to build on their Beijing success.
“The goal hasn’t changed,” Jackson stated. “I want to be competitive in Milan. This weekend showed me where I stand and what needs work. The process starts now.”
Team USA’s next generation of sprinters, including Kimi Goetz and Maame Biney, will benefit from Jackson’s presence as both competitor and mentor. Jackson’s training base in Salt Lake City has become a hub for American sprint development.
The second day of competition in Stavanger features another 500m event Sunday, giving Jackson an immediate opportunity to implement race-day adjustments. With 16 months until Milan, her timeline allows for gradual progression back to peak form.
