Jeremy Wotherspoon

Jeremy Lee Wotherspoon (born October 26, 1976 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian speed skater.

Wotherspoon was born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan but grew up in Red Deer, Alberta. He first became involved in speedskating after signing up for a power skating class in an effort to improve his ice hockey skills. Initially, Wotherspoon competed in both short track and long track events. He eventually chose long track as a specialty and climbed through the junior ranks, moving to Calgary to train with the Canadian National Team at the age of 17. Wotherspoon was soon winning medals on the World Cup circuit, with his first victories coming in 1997. In 1998, his arrival at the top rank of the sport was confirmed at the Nagano Olympic Games when he won a silver medal in the 500 m distance. Fact|date=February 2007Since that time he has dominated the sprint events and has held world records in both the 500 m and 1000 m distances. He is a 4-time World Sprint Champion (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003), and a 12-time World Cup Overall Champion (on the 500 m in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 and on the 1000 m in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002).

Disappointment came at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, however, as Wotherspoon fell at the start of his run during the 500 m. This was especially disappointing as he was considered the gold medal favourite.In December 2003, Jeremy became the most successful male skater in World Cup history as he claimed the 49th victory of his career.

During the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin Wotherspoon choked again, finishing 9th on the 500 m and 11th on the 1,000 m.

Away from the ice, Jeremy is an avid outdoorsman, and an accomplished flyfisherman.

On November 9, 2007 Jeremy skated a new world record on the 500 m. The new world best time is 34.03 seconds.

External links

* [http://www.skateresults.com/skater/show/1195 Jeremy Wotherspoon at www.skateresults.com]
* [http://www.fotos.desg.de/athletes.php?showAthletes=all&id=261 Photos of Jeremy Wotherspoon]
* [http://www.speedskating-online.com/wotherspoonmarch2007.htm Wotherspoon had bigger fish to fry this season, march 2007]
* [http://www.speedskating-online.com/wotherspoonfeb2008.htm Jeremy Wotherspoon successful at World Sprints and Hamar World Cup, february 2008]