Dianne Holum

In 1966, Dianne Holum became the youngest person to ever compete in the World Championships. It was the start of a distinguished speed skating career which saw her win more medals than any U.S. woman in Winter Games history. The 1967 Worlds were the first top international finish for Holum, as she finished third overall. She went on to win two medals at the 1968 Games, and in the interval between Olympics, became less of a sprinter and more of a distance skater. In 1970 and 1971 she was fourth in the Worlds overall, winning the 1,000 meters in 1971. She also had two top 10 finishes at the World Sprints. In 1972 she finally got a gold medal and added a fourth medal with a second place in the Olympic 3,000 meters. After retiring as a competitor, Dianne Holum became a well-known coach. At the 1976 Olympics, she became the first woman to coach the women speed skaters. She numbered among her many pupils two kids from Madison, Wisconsin, named Eric and Beth Heiden.

Personal Bests: 500 – 43.59 (1972); 1000 – 1:28.7 (1972); 1500 – 2:18.51 (1972); 3000 – 4:57.9 (1972).