Two Ocala speed skaters and Olympic medalists just claimed first and second in their respective World Cup seasons, capping off a year filled with multiple medals and races won.
Erin Jackson and Brittany Bowe claimed first and second in the 500-meter and 1000-meter distances, respectively, of the 2024/2025 International Skating Union World Cup Speed Skating season.
Both from Ocala, Jackson and Bowe won or medaled in multiple events this year from their respective distances.
The ISU World Cup Speed Skating series is comprised of multiple events and races.
Bowe and Jackson earn points at each competition throughout the season, which began at the end of 2024. After all of the races, the skaters who have accumulated the most points in their given distances are crowned the World Cup winners in that distance.
During the final World Cup event of the season in the Netherlands this weekend, where Jackson earned a silver in the race, the skater said she was happy to take home another season title.
“It was was definitely an interesting season. Probably the most interesting one for me, with ups and downs and things like that,” said Jackson in an interview to the ISU.
Despite having been the fastest woman at her distance for multiple years, this season, Jackson struggled through injuries that hampered at least two of her performances.
Regardless, she strung together enough victories and good showings that she was able to pull out the season victory.
Bowe, who celebrated her 37th birthday last month, earned multiple medals this season en route to her second place finish at the 1,000-meter distance, for which she holds the world record.
This World Cup season was filled with multiple highlights for both athletes.
During the final weekend of February, Jackson claimed victory in two 500-meter women’s speed skating races at the ISU races held in Poland.
Last month, both Bowe and Jackson earned multiple medals at a World Cup event on their home turf in the United States.
Before that, the women claimed bronze during a team event at the ISU World Cup in Beijing. That city holds a special place for both athletes, where they won Olympic medals in 2022 as American teammates.
Now, Jackson and Bowe will set their sights on the ISU World Speed Skating Single Distance Championships later this month in Norway.
To read Jackson’s complete interview, or to read about either Jackson or Bowe’s results, visit the International Skating Union website.
To support either of these Ocala athletes on their journeys, follow Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson online.