Greater MN Speedskating Association

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Minnesota Speedskating Olympian Duke Donovan! Richard E. "Duke" Donovan (May 29, 1901 – May 13, 1985) was an American speed skater who competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics.
In 1924 he finished eighth in the 5000 metres event and ninth in the 10000 metres competition.
Duke Donovan was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 29, 1901. He went to Cretin Catholic School for boys, and graduated from high school in 1919. He began speed skating as a young child, and competed many National and World competitions, as well as, the 1924 Olympics. He held the World record for the 5000 and 10,000 metre races at one time.
In late 1923, he met Genevieve Valquette, of Endicott, NY., and they were married on March 17, 1924. On April 21, 1928, Duke and Genevieve had a son, whom they named, Richard James Donovan.
After the Olympics, Duke continued speed skating professionally in St. Paul at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds "Hippodome". He skated professionally for 7 years. He continued to speed skate with many groups in St. Paul, as well as, coach hockey for youth groups.
Duke worked as Mechanic at the Firestone Tire Company for 25 years until his retirement. His wife Genevieve worked at the Fischer Nut Company, while their son, Richard "Augie" Donovan, went to Cretin School for boys. Augie graduated from Cretin, and enlisted in the Army in 1946. After he served in Korea and Europe, Augie went into the FBI.
Duke died on May 13, 1985, of complications due to kidney failure and continued dialysis. He was 84 years old, and was survived by his wife, Genevieve, of 61 years, his son, Richard "Augie" (Shirley Drinane) Donovan, and his 6 grandchildren.

Happy Birthday to Minnesota Speedskating Olympian, Tom Cushman! Tom has retired from speedskating life and is living in Carmel, California where he owns an art gallery. We hope you have an amazing day!

Happy Birthday to Greta Myers, Minnesota’s newest long-track speed skating Olympian. Greta recently made her Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Originally a competitive ice hockey player from Lino Lakes, she transitioned to speed skating with Midway Speedskating Club at age 12, and has quickly risen to become one of Team USA’s top all-around talents. Greta’s many other talents include cooking and crocheting. Happy birthday, Greta we hope your day is as amazing as you are!

Congratulations to Minnesota Speedskater, Tariq Elattaoui for being named US Speedskating’s male Long Track Development Skater of the year! He was awarded this title based off of his performances during the 2025-26 season. Tariq is a member of Midway Speedskating Club’s Level 1 performance team. Congratulations, Tariq!

We want to extend our congratulations to Minnesota legend, Susan Sandvig Shobe on her well deserved upcoming induction into the US Speedskating Hall of Fame! Susan’s involvement began as a birthright, her family having been involved in the sport for generations. As a 5 year old, she won her age group at the Minneapolis Park Board Silver Skates competition, and never looked back. Joining the Bearcat Speedskating club at age 5, Susan skated her way to spots on the National Team, World All Around Team, World Sprint Team, and participate on the University Games short track team.
When it came time to hang up her skin suits, Susan made a smooth transition into the realm of coaching, in both long track and short track. She coached kids all across the metro area in clubs such as the East Side Club, Midway Speedskating, Plymouth Wayzata, and Twin Cities Speedskating. Susan even extended her coaching to Wisconsin’s Madison Speedskating Club. Her efforts did not go unnoticed, and she took on coaching responsibilities on a higher level as part of the coaching staff for the Junior National Team, National Team, and at competitions like the US Olympic Sports Festival, World Short Track, Men’s World Championships, and Junior World Championships.
Susan was indispensable in all aspects of speedskating, and made the natural transition to officiating, where she has been a fixture for over 25 years. There was hardly an event that you wouldn’t see Susan dispensing her wisdom in the background. Be it a local race, or the Olympic Games, and everything inbetween, Susan has been ubiquitous in the sport. Her tireless dedication saw her sitting at the table of Greater Minnesota Speedskating Association as a past president and current member, Friends of the Oval Foundation, various USS committees, and the current VP of the USS governing board.
Susan has helped shaped the sport of speedskating, and has earned her spot in the US Speedskating Hall of Fame!

Happy Birthday to Minnesota Speedskating Olympian, Rebekah Bradford Plath! Rebekah competed in the 1000m event at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
For more on Rebekah’s story go to: https://www.cru.org/us/en/how-to-know-god/my-story-a-life-changed/rebekah-bradford.html

Happy Birthday to Minnesota Olympic Speedskater, Peggy Clasen! Peggy was primarily a sprinter, competing at four consecutive World Sprint Championships from 1990-93. Her best distance finish was an eighth place in one 500 in 1993. Clasen skated the World Cup circuit from 1987-94. She never made a podium but placed seventh at one 500 in 1992, and in 1993, had a fifth and seventh place finish at 1,000 m. She later married and settled in the Twin Cities area. We hope you have an amazing day!

Happy birthday to Minnesota Olympic Speedskater, Mark Mitchell! Mark skated for the US internationally from 1980-87, appearing at the World Championships consecutively from 1983-87. He qualified for the 10K once at the Worlds, finishing 14th overall in 1984. Mitchell had one World Cup top 10, finishing ninth in a 1,500 in February 1986 in Innsbruck. Mitchell later attended law school at Hamline University School of Law, graduating in 2000. He became an attorney in Minneapolis with the Robb Olson Law Office, after some work in the State Public Defenders Office, Ninth District. We hope you have a great day!

World Championships Allround Hamar 1985 - 500 m Eminger - Mitchell World Championship Allround HamarSaturday, 16-02-1985Speedskating competitions men 500 m.Christian Eminger (AUT) - Mark Mitchell (USA) 40,67 (28) - 39,24 (8)...

Happy be-lated Birthday to Minnesota Olympic Speedskater, Cindy Seikkula. Cindy was the 1974 US junior girls champion, tying for first with Beth Heiden, and in 1975 was US intermediate champion. Seikkula made her international début at the 1976 Winter Olympics. She later competed at the 1978 World Juniors, placing eighth, the 1978 World Sprints, placing 14th, and the 1978 World Championships, finishing 20th. In 1979, Seikkula was 19th at the World Sprints.