Anni FRIESINGER

Anni Friesinger was born in a speed skating family. Her parents Georg and Janina (Korowicka) were both active in the 1970s, and her younger siblings Jan and Agnes also competed at international level. She was among the world's elite since her senior debut in 1996, and won her first Olympic medal in 1998. From 2000 on, she became the most dominant female skater, winning world titles in all-round, sprint and single distance competition. In 2009 she was married to Ids Postma who started for the Netherlands for several years.

She was favored to win three golds in Salt Lake City, but won only one, in the 1500 m, finishing 4th, 5th and 6th in her other events. Four years later, she again missed out on individual gold with a bronze and two 4th places. However, with the German team she won her second Olympic gold in the inaugural women's team pursuit event. In 2010 she had disappointing results in the individuals but an impressive performance in the women's team pursuit when she struggled in the last round of the semifinal against the USA and fell just a few metres from the finish line. Sliding on the ice, she turned her body to cross the finish line with her blade first, saving the victory for Germany. In the final Katrin Mattscherodt substituted for Friesinger, and the team won the gold medal.

Personal Bests: 500 – 37.77 (2007); 1000 – 1:13.49 (2008); 1500 – 1:53.09 (2008); 3000 – 3:58.52 (2006); 5000 – 6:58.39 (2002).