French speed skater Timothy Loubineaud set a new 5000m world record at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Salt Lake City, marking a significant achievement in his career despite coming from a country without ice rinks.
According to ISU Skating, Loubineaud, aged 29, broke the 5000m world record previously held by his close friend and mentor Nils van der Poel of Sweden. The record-breaking event took place at the Utah Olympic Oval, where Loubineaud finished with a time of 6 minutes and 5.23 seconds. This achievement was unexpected for Loubineaud, who transitioned from inline skating to ice skating only eight years ago.
Loubineaud’s skating career began on inline skates when he was five years old, inspired by his late grandmother who encouraged him from a young age. He switched to ice skating in 2017 in the Netherlands, driven by a desire to compete in an Olympic discipline. His friendship with van der Poel, a former world record holder, developed in the lead-up to the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Though Loubineaud did not qualify for those Games, training alongside van der Poel helped elevate his performance. Van der Poel even learned French to communicate better with Loubineaud.
Despite this major sporting milestone, Loubineaud remains grounded. He emphasizes that family health and personal relationships are more important to him than public recognition or media attention. With his brother expecting a second child soon, Loubineaud prioritizes his loved ones over external pressures as he prepares for upcoming competitions, including the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina.
