Although Ocala natives Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson finished just shy of the podium during their first race at the Winter Olympics on Monday, both will have at least one more chance to claim gold at this year’s games.
Bowe and Jackson finished fourth and sixth, respectively, in the Women’s Speed Skating 1000m at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, which are being held in Italy.
First and second place were claimed by women from the Netherlands: Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok. Takagi Miho came in third place.
Bowe finished just 0.6 seconds behind Miho, and Jackson finished just 0.45 seconds behind her American teammate.
Jackson, who is the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the Women’s 500m, will have a chance to defend her title in that race on February 15. Bowe will have two more chances to earn a medal in the 1,500m race and the team pursuit.
During the NBC broadcast of the event, Bowe and Jackson were highlighted for their Florida roots.
Broadcaster Bill Spaulding and Olympic champion speed skater Joey Cheek made special note of Bowe’s mother, Debbie, who passionately roots for her daughter and the other speed skaters all across the world.
“If you go to an international speed skating event, you don’t need a mic on Debbie, you can always hear her in the arena. She is one of the biggest speed skating fans out there. Not just for Brittany, but for so many of the top speed skaters in the world,” said Spaulding.
“Debbie Bowe is world famous across the ice-skating community for her enthusiasm during these races,” said Joey Cheek, an Olympian with a gold, silver, and bronze to his name.
The 2026 Winter Olympics officially kicked off on Friday, February 6. During the opening ceremony, Jackson carried the American flag and led the largest delegation of athletes from the United State of America (232) in the country’s history.
The Winter Olympics features 116 events and will run through February 22. Fans can follow live coverage on NBC and Peacock.
Leave your words of encouragement for these women in a comment below and follow their Olympic journeys by visiting Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson online.