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The Fastest Ice: 5 Reasons The 2025-2026 U.S. Speed Skating Team Is Poised For Global Domination

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The 2025-2026 season has officially begun, and the U.S. Speed Skating team is entering a crucial period with momentum that hasn't been seen in years. The squad, featuring a compelling mix of Olympic champions, veteran leaders, and a generational phenom, is currently navigating the World Cup circuit with their eyes firmly set on the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina.

The latest updates from the International Skating Union (ISU) circuit confirm that American skaters are not just competing; they are dominating key distances and events. From the long track’s powerful Team Pursuit squad to the short track's new overall champion, the U.S. is demonstrating a depth of talent that promises an electrifying season of international competition and a strong run-up to the upcoming Olympic Team Trials in January 2026. This is everything you need to know about the current state of the U.S. Speed Skating powerhouse.

Meet the 2025-2026 U.S. Speed Skating National Team Roster and Key Biographies

The 2025-2026 U.S. National Team is comprised of 34 athletes split between the Long Track and Short Track disciplines, representing the country in ISU World Cup events and World Championships. The team is coached by Long Track Head Coach Ryan Shimabukuro and Short Track Head Coach Stephen Gough.

Long Track National Team Highlights (2025-2026 Roster)

  • Jordan Stolz: The undisputed young phenom of the sport. The 20-year-old from Wisconsin had a record-shattering 2024/2025 season, securing three medals at the World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships, including silver in the 1500m and bronze in the 1000m. He is a multi-distance threat, having previously won gold in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m at the 2024 World Championships.
  • Erin Jackson: The reigning Olympic Gold Medalist in the Women’s 500m. Jackson continues to be a top sprinter, finishing 5th in the 500m at the 2024-25 World Championships and helping the Team Sprint squad secure a silver medal.
  • Brittany Bowe: A veteran leader and three-time Olympic medalist. At 37, she remains one of the world's top sprinters, finishing second overall in the 1000m distance of the 2024/2025 International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup season.
  • Casey Dawson, Ethan Cepuran, & Emery Lehman: The formidable trio that makes up the Men’s Team Pursuit squad.
  • Other Notables: Giorgia Birkeland, McKenzie Browne, Kimi Goetz, Mia Manganello, Chrysta Rands-Evans, and Greta Myers.

Short Track National Team Highlights (2025-2026 Roster)

  • Kristen Santos-Griswold: The current star of the U.S. Short Track program. She became only the third American to win a short track overall World Cup title. She started the 2024-25 season strong, sweeping six races at the U.S. Short Track Championships.
  • Other Notables: Eunice Lee, Grace Lee, Julie Letai, Kamryn Lute, Louisiana Stahl, Corinne Stoddard, and Clayton DeClemente.

The Men’s Team Pursuit: A New American Benchmark

One of the most dominant stories of the current season is the unstoppable performance of the U.S. Men’s Team Pursuit squad. The trio of Casey Dawson, Ethan Cepuran, and Emery Lehman has cemented their status as the world's benchmark in this grueling long-track event.

They achieved a rare feat by completing a season sweep in the Team Pursuit, winning the third and final race of the 2025-2026 World Cup circuit in Hamar, Norway. This victory secured the country's fourth-consecutive World Cup title in the event, showcasing a depth of teamwork and strategy that is unmatched globally.

Their success is a blend of individual power—Lehman's steady pace, Cepuran's endurance, and Dawson's finishing kick—combined with a cohesive, well-drilled approach to the synchronized event. This consistent excellence puts immense pressure on rivals like the Netherlands and Norway as the team prepares for the next Olympic cycle.

The Rise of Jordan Stolz: The Generational Talent Rewriting the Record Books

The sheer velocity and consistency of Jordan Stolz have made him the most compelling figure in American speed skating since Shani Davis. At only 20 years old, he is already considered a generational talent. His 2024/2025 season was a masterclass in versatility and power across multiple distances.

Stolz has demonstrated an ability to compete and win across the entire spectrum of sprint and middle distances, from the blistering 500m to the tactical 1500m. His recent performances have included smashing three track records at a World Cup event, a feat that highlights his explosive power and technical precision. He also secured his first mass start gold, proving his tactical acumen in the pack-style racing format.

His impressive medal haul at the World Single Distances Championships, including a silver in the 1500m, underscores his position as a primary medal contender for the U.S. team in every event he enters. His development is a cornerstone of the U.S. team's strategy for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Short Track's New Queen: Kristen Santos-Griswold’s Dominance

While the long track gets much of the spotlight, the short track team, coached by Stephen Gough, has a superstar of its own in Kristen Santos-Griswold. Her recent performance has elevated her to the elite tier of international short track competitors.

Santos-Griswold's crowning achievement was becoming the third American woman to win an overall World Cup title in short track, a testament to her consistency across the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m distances. Her season began with a statement, sweeping all six races at the U.S. Short Track Championships, signaling her intent to chase the world’s top spot.

Short track speed skating is known for its chaotic, unpredictable nature, making an overall title a true measure of skill, strategy, and resilience. Her success provides the U.S. team with a genuine gold medal threat in the often-turbulent world of short track racing.

The Road Ahead: Key Events on the 2025-2026 Calendar

The current season is packed with high-stakes competitions that will determine the final composition and readiness of the U.S. team for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The athletes are focused on maximizing their performance and securing crucial qualification points.

Key upcoming events for the U.S. Speed Skating team include:

  • ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Utah (November 14–16, 2025): This event, held on the “Fastest Ice on Earth” at the Utah Olympic Oval, is a crucial home-ice advantage opportunity for the Long Track team.
  • Long Track World Cup 4 (December 12–14, 2025): Taking place in Hamar, Norway, this is one of the final major international tune-ups before the critical domestic trials.
  • Long Track Olympic Team Trials (January 2–5, 2026): Held in Milwaukee, WI, this is the definitive event where the final U.S. Olympic roster for the Long Track discipline will be named.

The combination of established champions like Erin Jackson, the veteran leadership of Brittany Bowe, the unprecedented dominance of the Team Pursuit squad, and the explosive talent of Jordan Stolz and Kristen Santos-Griswold makes the 2025-2026 U.S. Speed Skating team a must-watch force on the global stage. Their pursuit of excellence is not just about medals; it’s about continuing a legacy of speed and power for Team USA.

The Fastest Ice: 5 Reasons the 2025-2026 U.S. Speed Skating Team is Poised for Global Domination
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