Jutta Leerdam has never been one to shy away from big goals. The Dutch Winter Olympic speed skating sensation—known as much for her precision and power as for her magnetic confidence—is setting her sights firmly on Olympic gold at Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026. But as the 2025/26 season begins, she’s approaching her journey with a mix of intense focus and newfound patience.
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I’m hyper-focused, but I’ve learned that not every race has to be perfect,” Leerdam said during a recent training camp in Heerenveen. To win at the Olympics, you need more than speed—you need timing, consistency, and peace of mind. That’s what I’m working on this season. Her words reflect an evolution in mindset. Once driven purely by the pursuit of records and medals, Leerdam now embraces a more holistic approach to performance. The reigning world champion in the 1000 meters understands that the road to Olympic gold isn’t just about physical dominance—it’s also about mastering the mental game.
Winter Olympic Speed Skating: Building Toward Olympic Perfection
The 26-year-old enters the new World Cup campaign as one of the favorites in both the 1000m and 1500m distances. Her times last season placed her among the fastest women in history, and her consistency across multiple events demonstrated her ability to adapt to varying conditions and competition formats. But for Leerdam, 2025/26 isn’t merely about collecting more wins—it’s about building the perfect foundation for her Olympic push. This is the season where I want to test everything, she explained. How my body reacts to different training cycles, how to handle stress, and how to be fully ready when it matters most.
Her off-season training focused on refining her technique, improving her opening acceleration, and enhancing endurance for the longer distances. Working closely with her coaching team at Team Jumbo-Visma, Leerdam has emphasized quality over quantity—prioritizing efficiency and precision in every lap. She’s one of the most detail-oriented athletes I’ve ever worked with, said her coach, Jac Orie. Jutta knows her body incredibly well. She’s not chasing perfection for its own sake; she’s chasing the feeling of control that leads to peak performance. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Joep Wennemars Follows His Father’s Legacy with a 1000m Olympic Speed Skating World Title
Balancing Pressure and Perspective
Few athletes in the Winter Olympic speed skating world attract as much attention as Jutta Leerdam. Her explosive starts and elegant form have made her one of the sport’s most recognizable figures, both on and off the ice. With that visibility, however, comes enormous pressure—pressure she’s learning to handle differently this time around. In the past, I would get frustrated if I wasn’t winning every weekend, she admitted. Now I see the bigger picture. Every race, even the difficult ones, teaches you something about how to prepare for the biggest stage.
This measured attitude marks a shift from the Leerdam of previous years, who often entered races with a win or nothing mentality. After earning silver at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic in the 1000m—just 0.08 seconds behind gold medalist Miho Takagi—she began to reexamine her approach. That loss hurt, Leerdam recalled. But it also showed me that I was capable of being the best. It gave me perspective. The difference between gold and silver at that level isn’t about talent—it’s about mindset. Her focus now lies in creating the right balance between ambition and patience, intensity and composure. If I can stay calm under pressure, everything else will follow, she said.
Winter Olympic 2026: Technical Mastery Meets Mental Growth
Leerdam’s strength lies in her near-perfect technique. Her combination of explosive power off the line and long, graceful strides makes her a dominant force in the middle distances. Analysts often point to her ability to maintain speed through the final curve—a section where most skaters lose momentum—as one of her defining traits. But she insists that technical skill alone won’t win Olympic gold. You can train your body endlessly, but if your mind isn’t aligned, it won’t matter, she explained. I’ve been working on staying focused in the moment—just me, the ice, and the rhythm of my breathing.
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This mental work includes visualization sessions, breathing techniques, and mindfulness exercises—tools that help her stay grounded during the intense pressure of competition. Winter Olympic Speed skating is such a mental sport, Leerdam said. “The smallest distraction can cost you everything. Her mental coach, Marije Veenkamp, believes this development could be the key to unlocking her full potential. Jutta’s drive is extraordinary, Veenkamp noted. Our goal isn’t to change who she is—it’s to help her channel that fire more effectively.
Winter Olympic Speed Skating: Rivalries and Resilience Fuel Leerdam’s Olympic Drive
As Leerdam prepares for the new season, she faces fierce competition from both veterans and emerging stars. Japan’s Miho Takagi, her long-time rival, remains a benchmark for technical precision and race management. Canada’s Ivanie Blondin and the United States’ Kimi Goetz have also made significant strides, each capable of challenging Leerdam on any given weekend.
The women’s field is so strong right now—it’s exciting, Leerdam said. “We push each other to be better. Every race is like a test before the Olympics. Rivalries, however, don’t seem to faze her. Instead, they motivate her. I like to see where I stand, she added with a smile. That’s what makes competition beautiful—you get to learn from the best.
Her ability to adapt and respond to challengers has become one of her greatest strengths. Analysts have noted that Leerdam often performs her best under pressure, particularly when racing head-to-head against top contenders. When she’s challenged, she finds another gear, Orie said. That’s what champions do.
The Bigger Picture: Legacy and Leadership
Beyond the medals and records, Leerdam has become a symbol of modern speed skating—a blend of athleticism, confidence, and authenticity. With millions of followers across social media platforms, she uses her influence to promote the sport and inspire young athletes, particularly young women, to chase their ambitions fearlessly.
I want people to see that you can be strong, driven, and still be yourself, she said. You don’t have to fit into anyone else’s idea of what an athlete should be. Her visibility has helped bring new audiences to the sport, bridging the gap between traditional fans and younger generations. Yet she remains careful to keep her priorities clear. The ice is where I belong, she said. Everything else is secondary.
Looking Ahead to Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
With the Winter Olympic now less than 16 months away, Leerdam’s preparation is entering its most crucial phase. Her performance this season will serve as both a test and a statement—a demonstration of how far she’s come since Beijing and how ready she is to take the next step. I think about it every day, she admitted. Not in a stressful way, but as motivation. Everything I do now is for that moment in Cortina.
Her goal is simple yet monumental: Olympic gold in the 1000 meters, the distance she has dominated for much of her career. Yet she’s also open to challenging herself in the 1500m, where her endurance and efficiency have steadily improved. Winning gold would be a dream, she said. But what matters most is being the best version of myself when I get there.
Eyes on Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 as Leerdam Builds Toward Her Olympic Moment
As the new World Cup season unfolds, all eyes will be on Leerdam to see whether her refined mindset and disciplined training will translate into dominance on the ice. Her early performances in Heerenveen and Calgary will provide the first clues about her Olympic trajectory. But whether she’s winning or refining, one thing is certain: Jutta Leerdam’s pursuit of excellence is far from over.
I’m patient, she said, her voice steady with confidence. Because I know where I’m going. Every lap, every race, every moment—it’s all leading to one goal. And when the Olympic flame burns in Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026, few will doubt that Jutta Leerdam will be ready to meet it head-on—with focus, grace, and the unmistakable power of a champion in her prime.
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