Erin Jackson has become the first Black American woman to win a World Cup speedskating race. Jackson won the 500 meters at the recent season opener in Poland by finishing in 37.613 seconds. Defending Champion, Nao Kodaira of Japan came second by coming 0.13 seconds behind.
All three medalists from February’s world championships where Jackson didn’t compete participated in the event. Before winning the World Cup, her previous best finish was ninth.
Jackson became the first Black woman to qualify for a United States Olympic long-track speedskating team in 2018, four months after embracing the sport. At the Pyeongchang Games, she finished 24th in the 500.
The 29-year-old skater did not compete internationally last season after sustaining an eye injury and many people around her contracted coronavirus.
She recorded her best times last month in a pair of 500 races that took place in Salt Lake City at a World Cup qualifying meet. In both races, she defeated two-time Olympian Brittany Bowe.
