Speed Year in Review

Australian speed skaters continued to build valuable international experience throughout 2025, competing at Track Series qualification events in Namwon and the Asian Championships in Korea. The pinnacle of the year was the World Skate Speed World Championships in Beidaihe, China, where Australia fielded athletes across both junior and senior categories.

Junior skaters Tom Burgdorf and Raiden Dolder delivered consistent top 20 finishes in road distance events, including the 10,000m points and 15,000m elimination races. In the senior division, Asha Hickford produced a strong 15th place in the 100m in lanes sprint, while Harry Geary achieved a top 20 finishes in the 15,000m elimination and marathon respectively. These performances underscored the growing depth within the junior program and highlighted the technical and tactical development needed to challenge dominant nations such as Colombia.

Momentum continued at the Track Series Final in Xinhua, China, where Robert Cook and Joe Bennett represented Australia across multiple sprint and endurance events on Xinhua’s world class banked track. The success of this inaugural World Skate Track Series Final has ensured its place as a long-term fixture on the international speed calendar.

As the year concludes, Australian skaters are preparing for the 2026 Skate Australia Speed National Championships in Melbourne from 18 to 23 January, and we wish them every success.

Photo credit: Bernadine Geary Photography.