Speed Skating History | Speed Skating in Big Sky Country

Speed Skating History

Speed skating was the first of the three forms of skating to develop into a sport. (The three forms of skating are speed skating, figure skating and hockey.) As early as 1500, the Dutch were especially famous for putting blades to ice in a race. In the 18th century, speed skating's popularity spread across Europe, and organized races began for English aristocrats.

By the late 1800s, steel skates had revolutionized the sport, and modern competitions were born. The Dutch again led the pack by creating the double track, as well as the competition format still essentially in use today for all long track races.

With the advent of the Winter Olympics, speed skating's popularity continued to grow. In fact, speed skating has produced more medals than any other Olympic event. Many of the Olympics' most famous names, including Bonnie Blair, Eric Heiden and Olav Koss, are speed skaters.

Speed Skating in Big Sky Country

Montana has its own speed skating history, starting with our current Governor Judy Martz. She is a fourth generation Montanan who has lived most of her life in the Butte area. In 1963, Judy Martz became a member of the U.S. World Speed Skating Team; in 1964, she represented the United States at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Her Olympic success--and her love of speed skating--would stay with her. Years later, she played a key role in opening the U.S. High Altitude Speed Skating Center in Butte, Montana. (She also served as the Center's Executive Director from 1985 to 1989.)

Today, the Speed Skating Center in Butte is an important training facility. Bonnie Blair, the most famous woman in speed skating history, lived in Butte and trained at the Center during her Olympic career. In fact, speed skaters from all across the United States train in Butte. The Center also hosts world-class speed skating events on a regular basis.

In addition, interest in speed skating has spread into other areas of Montana. For instance, a short track speed skating group has formed in the Bozeman area, and meets at Bozeman's Valley Ice Garden.