Skating Began as a Toddler:
Jessica Lynn Smith's parents got her involved in speed skating when she was nine months old to help build balance and coordination.
Inlines Are the Skates She Loves:
Smith started on quad roller skates, but inline speed skating is what she really enjoys.
World Travel is Her Fringe Benefit:
Jessica has enjoyed the international travel opportunities that come with speed skating and has already been to 25 different countries.
She Has Been at the Top of the Inline Speed Game:
Jessica has earned 12 Senior gold medals and 13 Junior gold medals for the United States at the World Inline Speedskating Championships. She also participated in the 1997 Pan American Championships where she earned three more gold medals.
Jessica Has Skated Both Inline and Ice:
For three years Jessica skated competitively on both ice blades and inline wheels, but eventually she decided to concentrate on ice speed skating.
Short Track Ice Skating Suits Her Skills:
Smith tried long track speed skating on ice, but has moved to the short track, because it better suits her skills from her time as an inline champion.
She Has Made a Place for Herself on Ice:
Jessica earned a bronze medal in the 1000 meters women’s race at the Short Track World Cup Speedskating Team tryouts in St. Louis. She also earned a spot in the 2009 World Short Track Speedskating Championships in Vienna, Austria and the World Team Short Track Speedskating Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands.
Jessica is Looking for Olympic Skating Opportunities:
Jessica Lynn Smith was born in Dearborn, Michigan and lived in Melvindale, Michigan during her grade school years. She began skating at nine months, started speed skating competition at age two, and has been in the top positions of both marathon racing and traditional inline racing at the world level for many years. She is former Wolverine Speed Team member who benefited from coach Robb Dunn and his lessons in dedication and ethics.
After many inline racing accomplishments, Jessica is now forced to look at new opportunities in the ice speed skating disciplines, since inline racing is not an Olympic sport. In her efforts to get a chance at winning an Olympic medal, Jessica has joined other skaters in the transition from inline to ice skating.
After many inline racing accomplishments, Jessica is now forced to look at new opportunities in the ice speed skating disciplines, since inline racing is not an Olympic sport. In her efforts to get a chance at winning an Olympic medal, Jessica has joined other skaters in the transition from inline to ice skating.
