The world’s best speed skaters were celebrated for their incredible achievements during the 2025/26 season at the very first ISU Speed Skating Awards, held on Sunday, 8 March 2026 in Heerenveen, Netherlands.

ISU President Jae Youl Kim addressing the audience at the 2026 ISU Speed Skating Awards Ceremony in Heerenveen, Netherlands. © ISU

Bringing a memorable ISU and Olympic season to a close, the Awards celebrate the performances that had fans on the edge of their seats – from breathtaking races and record-breaking moments to the breakthrough stars who lit up the ice throughout the season.

Here is the list of Award winners, World Champions, as well as the world record breakers throughout the season.

Most Improved Skater - Valérie Maltais (CAN)

Best Newcomer – Metoděj Jílek (CZE)

Most Season Wins

• Woman: Femke Kok (NED)

• Man: Jordan Stolz (USA)

World Record breakers – 2025/26 Season

• Men 3000m: Metoděj Jílek (CZE) – 3:32.42, Salt Lake City, 26 Oct 2025
• Men 5000m: Timothy Loubineaud (FRA) – 6:00.23, Salt Lake City, 14 Nov 2025
• Men 5000m: Sander Eitrem (NOR) – 5:58.52, Inzell, 24 Jan 2026
• Men Team Pursuit: USA (Ethan Cepuran, Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman) – 3:32.49, Salt Lake City, 16 Nov 2025
• Women 500m: Femke Kok (NED) – 36.09, Salt Lake City, 16 Nov 2025
• Mixed Relay: Netherlands (Chloe Hoogendoorn, Wesly Dijs) – 2:54.05, Calgary, 23 Nov 2025
• Sprint Combination: Jenning de Boo (NED) - 134.670 points, Heerenveen, 5-6 Mar 2026

World Champions

• Men’s Sprint – Jenning de Boo (NED)
• Women’s Sprint – Femke Kok (NED)
• Men’s Allround – Sander Eitrem (NOR)
• Women’s Allround – Ragne Wiklund (NOR)

Valérie Maltais (CAN) posing with ISU President Jae Youl Kim at the 2026 ISU Speed Skating Awards Ceremony in Heerenveen, Netherlands. © ISU

 Metoděj Jílek (CZE) posing with ISU President Jae Youl Kim at the 2026 ISU Speed Skating Awards Ceremony in Heerenveen, Netherlands. © ISU

Jordan Stolz (USA) posing with ISU President Jae Youl Kim at the 2026 ISU Speed Skating Awards Ceremony in Heerenveen, Netherlands. © ISU

From left to right : Metoděj Jílek (CZE), Sander Eitrem (NOR) and Timothy Loubineaud (FRA) post with ISU President Jae Youl Kim at the 2026 ISU Speed Skating Awards Ceremony in Heerenveen, Netherlands. © ISU