Finn Sonnekalb, an 18-year-old speed skater from Erfurt, continues to make a mark among the world’s elite in the sport. At the Speed Skating World Cup event in Heerenveen, Netherlands, Sonnekalb secured a second-place finish in the 1,000-meter race, marking the third time he has reached the podium in his young career.
Sportschau, a German sports news outlet, reported on Sonnekalb’s performance at the World Cup in Heerenveen.
Sonnekalb completed the 1,000 meters in 1:07.42 minutes, finishing behind the dominant American skater Jordan Stolz, who set a track record with a time of 1:06.38 minutes. Reflecting on the race, Sonnekalb expressed his excitement about competing in such a renowned venue in front of his family and friends. He also indicated his ambition for the upcoming Olympic Games, hoping his condition will hold up for a strong performance.
This silver medal in Heerenveen represents Sonnekalb’s first podium over 1,000 meters. Earlier this season, at the World Cup stops in Salt Lake City and Calgary, he had earned third and second places respectively over the 1,500 meters. Additionally, he narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish in his preferred distance at Heerenveen.
Sonnekalb is considered the most promising athlete in German speed skating and short track in recent years. Having already qualified for the Winter Olympic Games scheduled in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in February, he is viewed as a potential medal contender. The last Olympic medal for the German speed skating team dates back to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.
