Anna Ringsred facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Anna Ringsred

Ringsred in 2006
Personal information
Born	(1984-09-27) September 27, 1984 (age 40) Duluth, Minnesota
Alma mater	University of Calgary
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Speed skating
Coached by	Andrey Zhuikov

Anna Ringsred, born on September 27, 1984, is an American speed skater. She proudly represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Anna started speed skating when she was 13 years old. She quickly became good enough to join the United States junior team while still in high school.

In 2004, Anna competed in the Junior World Allround Championships, finishing 22nd. She also qualified for World Championship events in 2007, 2008, and 2010. Her best result was a fifth-place finish in the team pursuit event in 2007.

Anna had a great performance at the 2010 National Championships, earning four third-place finishes. However, she was not chosen for the 2010 Olympic team. After this, she decided to take a break from speed skating. But in 2012, she made an exciting comeback! She then qualified for the 2013 Allround and Single Distance World Championship teams.

At the 2013–2014 National Championships, Anna placed third in the 3000 meters race. She then took second place in the same event at the United States Olympic trials. This amazing result helped her make her first Olympic team! At the 2014 Olympics, she finished 26th in the 3000 meters.

Anna's Early Life and Start in Skating

Anna Ringsred was born on September 27, 1984, in Duluth, Minnesota. Before speed skating, she was a ski jumper. When she was 13, she broke her ankle while ski jumping. Around that time, she saw an advertisement for speed skating in the Duluth News Tribune. She decided to give it a try, and that's how her journey began!

Anna went to the Montessori School of Duluth. She later graduated from Duluth Marshall High School in 2003. After finishing high school, she moved to Calgary, Alberta, in Canada. This move allowed her to train more seriously for speed skating.

Anna's Speed Skating Journey

Ringsred (outside lane) and Karolína Erbanová making a turn during the 2010 World Allrounds.

While still in high school, Anna Ringsred was selected for the Junior National Team. In 2004, she competed in the Junior World Allround Championships, where she placed 22nd. In 2007, she achieved a fifth-place finish in the team pursuit at the World Championships. She also placed 15th in the 1500 meters race that year. Anna also qualified for the World Allround Championships in 2008 and 2010. She finished 24th in 2008 and 16th in 2010.

The 2010 Olympic Trials and a Break

When the 2010 National Championships and Olympic Trials came around, many thought Anna would make the Olympic team. She even set a personal best time and finished third in the 500 meters race. She also placed third in the 1000 meter, 1500 meter, and 5000 meter events. She was fourth in the 3000 meters. However, Anna was not chosen for the 2010 Olympic team.

After missing the team, she decided to retire from speed skating. She later explained that she was feeling too much pressure and was tired of the daily training. Anna then earned a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Calgary. After graduating, she spent some time traveling around Europe. She even got a full-time job as an engineer in Calgary. But after a few months, she realized how much she missed speed skating.

Anna's Comeback and Olympic Dream

In 2012, Anna Ringsred decided to return to speed skating. She wanted to make one last attempt to reach the Olympics. She worked with a sports psychologist to help her manage her nerves during competitions. Anna shared that she used to be afraid of racing. But after her comeback, she learned to enjoy it again. She focused on having fun and not worrying too much about the results. Before her break, her best event was the 1000 meters. After her comeback, she found more success in longer distance races.

Ringsred accelerating out of her starting position during a 1500-meter race in 2013.

During the 2012–2013 season, Anna finished 37th overall in the 1000 meter World Cup standings. She was 41st overall in the 1500 meters. Even though she was battling the flu, she placed 20th at the 2013 World Allround Speed Skating Championships. At the 2013 World Championships, she placed 21st in the 1000 meters and 18th in the 1500 meters. Anna also took third place in the 3000 meters at the 2013–2014 National Championships.

Making the Olympic Team

Anna entered the 2014 United States Olympic Trials planning to retire after the season, no matter what happened. In her first event, the 3000 meters, she placed second with a time of 4:13.80. This amazing performance qualified her for the United States Olympic Team! She said she was very scared going into the race because it was her last chance. She couldn't believe she made it.

Anna competed in all five events at the Trials, finishing in the top ten in every one. After making the Olympic team, she wasn't so sure about retiring anymore. Her longtime coach, Andrey Zhuikov, noted that this achievement put her on the map. He believed that with more training, she could go even further. Before the Olympic Trials, Anna was seen as a good all-around skater, but not quite strong enough in one event to reach the Olympics.

At the 2014 Winter Olympics, Anna Ringsred completed the 3000 meter race in 4:21.51. She mentioned that the ice was slower than she expected. Even though her time wasn't what she hoped for, she was happy that she fought hard throughout the race. She finished in 26th place.

Anna's Life Outside Skating

Ringsred skating the 5000 meters at the 2014 Olympic Trials.

In her free time, Anna Ringsred volunteers at a local homeless shelter. She currently lives in Calgary, Canada.

Anna's Personal Records