Erin Jackson came painfully close to Olympic history earlier today. The American speed skater finished in 6th place with a time of 1:15.00 in her debut at the women’s 1000m at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The race showcased stunning performances, but left Jackson chasing her next chance for podium glory.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Jackson’s Time: 1:15.00, placing 6th in the 1000m debut.
- Gold Winner: Jutta Leerdam of Netherlands set Olympic record at 1:12.31.
- Jackson’s Specialty: Reigning gold medalist in the 500m from Beijing 2022.
- Next Opportunity: 500m competition scheduled for Sunday, February 15.
Dutch Dominance Shatters Olympic Record
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Jutta Leerdam delivered a masterclass performance on the ice. The 27-year-old Dutch speedskater blazed through the 1000m distance with an incredible time of 1:12.31, breaking the Olympic record that had stood since the 2022 Beijing Games. Her teammate Femke Kok followed closely in second place with 1:12.59, also cracking the previous benchmark. The Netherlands became only the third nation to sweep both medals in Olympic women’s 1000m speed skating.
“I couldn’t believe it, but I was also so tired,” Leerdam said after crossing the finish line. Her performance marked the fourth Olympic record set in just three speed skating races at the Milan Games so far.
American Team Falls Just Short of Podium
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Brittany Bowe, the 37-year-old American speed skater, finished in fourth place with a time of 1:13.21, missing the medal stand by a slim margin. Miho Takagi of Japan captured the bronze medal, becoming only the second woman ever to win three Olympic medals in the 1000m. Jackson’s sixth-place finish highlighted America’s challenging night in the women’s 1000m, as both American competitors struggled to crack the podium against fierce international competition.
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time |
| 🥇 1st | Jutta Leerdam | Netherlands | 1:12.31 (OR) |
| 🥈 2nd | Femke Kok | Netherlands | 1:12.59 |
| 🥉 3rd | Miho Takagi | Japan | 1:13.82 |
| 4th | Brittany Bowe | United States | 1:13.21 |
| 6th | Erin Jackson | United States | 1:15.00 |
“I gave it my all. It’s a little bummer that it wasn’t quite enough for gold but Jutta was amazing,” Kok said after her performance.
— Femke Kok, Netherlands Speed Skater
Jackson Looks to Defend 500m Gold
Jackson, who won gold in the 500m at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, made her 1000m Olympic debut in Milan. The Florida-born speedskater specializes in the 500m distance but had been training for the 1000m in recent years to expand her competitive portfolio. Despite not medaling today, she remains focused on defending her 500m title against formidable opponents including the very skater who just captured silver, Femke Kok.
“We still have a few days left before the 500m, so I’ll train really hard and focus on my speed. I’m looking forward to it,” Kok said, hinting at the competition ahead. Jackson posted on social media that she plans to ”train hard and refocus” for the next opportunity this weekend.
Can Jackson Reclaim Her Specialty Before Closing Ceremony?
Jackson enters the women’s 500m on Sunday, February 15, as the defending Olympic champion from Beijing. Her sixth-place showing in the 1000m was a learning experience rather than a setback, coaches suggest. With 8 days of training separating the two events, Jackson will have time to refocus on the distance where she dominates. The American speedskater remains one of the most significant athletes at the 2026 Milan Olympics, having served as a Team USA flag bearer during the opening ceremony.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.