The Path to the 2026 Winter Olympics Begins in Milwaukee
Wisconsin is once again the focal point for U.S. speed skating as the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee hosts the pivotal 2026 U.S. Olympic Team long track speed skating trials. This weekend event, spanning from Friday to Monday, attracts around 80 elite athletes from across the nation.
Having hosted the trials for the third consecutive time, the Pettit Center is no stranger to the buzz and excitement surrounding these events. Ted Morris, executive director of U.S. Speedskating, expressed his enthusiasm: “Over the last two Olympic Trials, we had a sold-out venue, incredible enthusiasm from the local community, and exciting racing from the skaters.” More details about the event can be found in Morris’s statement.
Throughout the four-day competition, athletes will vie for Olympic team spots across 14 races. With the Winter Olympics set to take place in Italy this February, this event marks the final opportunity for skaters to secure their positions on the U.S. team.
Long track program director Matt Kooreman highlighted the unique atmosphere at the Pettit Center: “I’d say the crowds are unmatched. It’s really rare in the U.S. to get a speed skating audience like they have here.” The center expects around 1,700 spectators daily to witness thrilling races, some lasting under 40 seconds while others stretch to six minutes. Eric Ribecky, president of the Wisconsin Speed Skating Club, noted that skaters can reach speeds nearing 40 mph, emphasizing, “Make no doubt, they are going really fast, and there are no brakes on those skates either.”
Among the competitors is Jordan Stolz, a Kewaskum native and a seven-time world champion. Stolz, a former member of the Wisconsin Speed Skating Club, also participated in the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Described by Kooreman as a “generational talent,” Stolz is praised not only for his skill but also for his humble nature: “It’s really fun to watch him and he’s like such a nice guy too. He’s not one that’s going to be out there pounding his chest and looking for attention.”
Tickets for the weekend are mostly sold out, but some are still available for Monday’s events, according to the Pettit Center’s website. The event’s excitement is palpable, with young speed skating enthusiasts like Charlotte Ribecky, a two-year veteran of the sport, eager to watch the nation’s fastest skaters in Milwaukee. “It’s just amazing getting to see all the people who have worked so hard to get to that level, and being able to see them race and do what they’re best at,” she shared.
For those unable to attend in person, Marissa Werner from Visit Milwaukee stated that the trials will be broadcasted on Peacock, USA Network, and NBC. Werner praised the dedication of the athletes, stating, “These are athletes who have trained all year long, for years on end, and have had to qualify to get to this point, and now to be able to take that next step to potentially make the Olympics is just … an amazing feat for any one of the athletes.”
