Four years ago, a misstep at the Pettit National Ice Center almost cost Erin Jackson her chance to compete in the Beijing Olympics and ultimately win a speed skating gold medal. This time, even at less than her peak performance, Jackson made a strong statement about her 2026 Olympic journey on her first day of competition.

Jackson, who has been gradually recovering from a hamstring injury that she sustained in early December, won the 1,000 meters on January 3 during the second day of competition at the Pettit Center. This victory secured her spot for the Milan Cortina Games in February.

“I’m really relieved,” Jackson said. “I was pre-qualified in the 500, but I really wanted to race in the 1,000 to make sure I had my position locked down. I wasn’t very happy with my injury because it could have kept me from this opportunity, but I’m grateful everything worked out.”

At 33 years old, Jackson finished her 2 ½ laps in 1 minute 14.625 seconds, narrowly edging out Brittany Bowe, a longtime friend from their days in-line skating in Ocala, Florida. Bowe had previously opened the door for Jackson in 2022 by helping her secure a spot in the Beijing Olympics.

Jackson entered the competition with high hopes but low expectations. In addition to her ongoing hamstring issues, she also deals with a persistent back problem.

“It was a surprise how today went because I haven’t tested myself in about a month,” Jackson said. “It ended up going really well. I aimed for a time in the 1:15 range, and I didn’t feel any pain in my hamstring today. Hopefully, I can keep that up tomorrow. My back is still the same, but I’ve learned to deal with it.”

Four years ago, Bowe won the 500 meters while Jackson stumbled in her race and dropped to third place. Those trials were unusual due to the pandemic restrictions at the Pettit Center, and Jackson nearly missed her Olympic opportunity during what was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime season. However, Bowe helped Jackson get the spot, and Jackson became the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold.

Bowe, who had already qualified for Beijing by winning the 1,000 at the Pettit in record time, later earned a bronze medal in that event at the Beijing Games. This year, two women’s 1,000 qualifying spots were available, and Bowe secured her place with a silver medal at the Pettit. A three-time world champion and world record holder in the 1,000, Bowe finished in 1:15.016 seconds. Mia Mangaello placed third.

Despite her experience, Bowe admitted she felt nervous before her first race. She will compete again on January 5 in the 1,500 after Jackson skates in the 500 earlier that day.

“No matter where you are on the World Cup circuit, the Olympic trials are different,” Bowe said. “You have to earn your way to the Olympics. But it feels good out there.”

The Saturday events featured numerous Wisconsin competitors skating in front of friends and family. Bowe had a lively cheering section led by her mother, Deborah, and included two of her coaches from her Division I basketball days at Florida Atlantic. They were able to watch her for the first time since retiring.

“Skating in front of a sold-out Pettit is one of if not the only places in the U.S. with a rich history for speed skating,” Bowe said. “Being able to race in front of these people and fans is an honor every single time.”

The trials are not strictly a win-and-you’re-in proposition. The United States has multiple quota spots in some events and none in others, as well as a maximum of eight slots for men and six for women. These numbers aren’t set in stone, and alternates like Greta Myers, who won the 3,000 on December 2, could compete if another country doesn’t use all its slots.

How did Wisconsin skaters perform in the 1,000 meters at the Olympic trials?

While attention on the men’s race was focused on Kewaskum native Jordan Stolz, he wasn’t the only skater with Wisconsin connections competing on the men’s side.

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Jordan Stolz falls in first race of U.S. Olympic Team Trials; still qualifies

Stolz finished third behind Conor McDermott-Mostowy and Cooper McLeod after a fall, but he had already qualified in the event as the leader on the World Cup circuit. All Stolz needed to do was start the race.

Among other state natives and transplants competing:

• Marquette University sophomore Leo Drossos-Thompson (11th in 1:12.433) and Finn Siebert of the Wisconsin Speed Skating Club (13th in 1:13.592) both set personal bests.
• Jonathan Tobon, a Marquette High School graduate, placed ninth after taking fifth in the 5,000 meters the previous evening.
• On the women’s side, Piper Yde of Nashota set a personal best of 1:20.230 and finished ninth in her first trials. She was third in the 3,000 on the first day.
• Blair Cruikshank of Delafield, the daughter of five-time medalist Bonnie Blair and two-time Olympian David Cruikshank, placed 12th with a time of 1:21.533.

Coming Jan. 4 at the Pettit Center

The U.S. Olympic team trials for long track speed skating continue at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 4, with the first of two 500 meters and then the 1,500 on the third day of the four-day event. Tickets for the session are sold out, and few remain for the final day on January 5, according to a Pettit Center representative the evening of January 3.