Jutta Leerdam has made millions with speed skating: “Skating is in her identity”

Holland’s speed skating star Jutta Leerdam27, is currently one of the most followed winter athletes in the world. The Dutchman’s media attention peaked during the very successful Winter Olympics. She is also engaged to an American boxer and influencer Jake Paulin with.

Leerdam won gold in Milan at 1,000 meters with a new Olympic record time of 1:12.31. He also won Olympic silver in the 500m race.

A former speed skater Pekka Koskelan international career lasted more than 15 years. He won European Championship silver, two World Championship silver and two World Championship bronze.

Koskela was able to watch the early stages of young Leerdam’s career up close while training in Holland himself.

“He got into the running of the national team first as a junior and then rose to adulthood.”

“Skating is in his identity,” says Koskela.

Leerdam’s career so far has been hugely successful.

Before the Milan-Cortina Olympics, he already had two World Championship golds and a European Championship gold, as well as Olympic silver from Beijing. He has several world championships in team competitions.

Leerdam’s success and popularity have also given him lucrative sponsorship deals with, for example, Red Bull, Dior and Omega.

In addition to cooperation agreements, his sources of income have been prize money from Olympic and World Championship competitions, social media influence and modeling work.

Leerdam’s net worth is estimated to be around five million dollars, i.e. a little over four million euros.

According to Koskela, a big personal brand and big income have their advantages, but they don’t directly translate into speed.

“Of course, it’s hard to estimate how he will convert his livelihood directly into speed on the ice,” Koskela smiles.

“Juta’s financial investments in his own stable guarantee that he gets everything he needs for training.”

According to Koskela, the difference is made more in investing in training and in personal qualities.

He highlights Leerdam’s great speed and technical skills as well as anaerobic performance.

“Without really hard physical performance, you don’t get those kinds of results,” says Koskela.

For training conditions betting is very important in terms of success and money can influence that. Koskela cites high-altitude camps as an example, which are especially important for 1,000-meter competitors for developing the ability to take in oxygen.

“The oxygen debt is present for almost half of the distance (in the 1,000-meter race), and at some point it starts to affect everyone. That’s when the differences in training come to the fore,” says Koskela.

“Jutta’s financial investments in his own stable guarantee that he gets everything he needs for training,” says Koskela.

of Milan at the Games, the Dutchman made statements that raised questions about the continuation of his career.

After the 1,000-meter race, which ended at the Golden Jubilee, Leerdam did not give a direct answer when the media asked him about his future plans for his sports career. Leerdam has previously hinted that he might end his career after the Olympics.

Expert Koskela understands Leerdam.

“For sure he is going through that feeling of having achieved everything. It is quite natural that after the Olympics there is such a searching period,” says Koskela.

Koskela, who himself competed until the age of 35, does not think that Leerdam will stop yet.

“If you feel like you’re passing by at the age of 27, is it the right time to think about continuing your career?”

“I see great potential for him to continue,” Koskela states.

Netherlands is known as a superpower in speed skating.

Even at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the country dominated the sport by far. The country’s skaters won a total of 13 medals in individual and team competitions. Of these, five were gold, six silver and two bronze.

According to Koskela, the success is the result of following the country’s strong traditions and thus investing in the sport.

“It’s their most traditional winter sport. The sports culture is rich.”

According to Koskela, Holland has a system of professional stables familiar from cycling, with different skating clubs in three categories.

There are several high-level professional teams in the country, where skaters can focus full-time on training. The activity increases competition and also brings clubs additional money through sponsors.

In contrast to many other countries, Dutch juniors often focus only on speed skating at a young age, which creates a strong foundation for a top career in the sport.

In February The royal family of the Netherlands awarded Jutta Leerdam with a knighthood of the Order of Oranje-Nassau. The appointment ceremony was held at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague.

The award is given to a person who is considered to have made significant and nationally notable actions for the benefit of society.