The International Skating Union (ISU) held its first-ever Speed Skating Awards ceremony on March 8, 2026, in Heerenveen, Netherlands, recognizing outstanding athletes from the 2025/26 season following the World Championships.
The awards ceremony took place immediately after the conclusion of the ISU Speed Skating World Championships 2026. It was designed to raise the profile of speed skating athletes by highlighting their achievements throughout a season marked by multiple world records, Olympic victories, and world championship titles. The ceremony reflects the ISU’s Vision 2030 initiative aimed at modernizing and strengthening the sport by increasing its audience and inspiring fans worldwide. ISU President Jae Youl Kim addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the athletes who are central to the sport’s growth.
Among the honorees was Valérie Maltais of Canada, who received the Most Improved Skater award after a season that included an Olympic gold medal in the Team Pursuit at Milano Cortina 2026 and two bronze medals in individual distances. Maltais shared her motivation to shift her objectives toward winning medals rather than top-ten finishes, highlighting her commitment to pushing her physical limits. The Best Newcomer award was presented to 19-year-old Metoděj Jílek of the Czech Republic, who set a world record in the 3000m and became the first male Czech Olympic champion in speed skating by winning gold in the 10,000m. Jílek credited his success to years of dedication and training, supported by ISU development programs.
The awards for most season wins recognized Femke Kok of the Netherlands and Jordan Stolz of the United States as the most successful female and male skaters, respectively, during a demanding season that featured five World Cups, the Olympic Games, and the World Championships. Several athletes who broke world records during the year were also celebrated, including Jílek, Timothy Loubineaud of France, Sander Eitrem of Norway, and athletes from the USA, Netherlands, and others who excelled in various distances and team events.
The newly crowned world champions from the 2026 ISU Speed Skating World Championships also received awards: Jenning de Boo (Netherlands) for Men’s Sprint, Femke Kok (Netherlands) for Women’s Sprint, Sander Eitrem (Norway) for Men’s Allround, and Ragne Wiklund (Norway) for Women’s Allround. These recognitions capped a season notable for historic achievements and the emergence of new talents in the sport.
