MILWAUKEE, WI — Nothing was keeping Brittany Bowe from earning another Olympic spot.
Bowe shook off a slight collision with Greta Myers during a crossover in the 1,500 meters, finishing almost two seconds in front of Myers and securing a spot in a second distance at the Milano Cortina Olympics. Bowe had qualified in the 1,000 meters Saturday.
‘I’m really happy with that race,’ Bowe said. I wanted to open up pretty quick and then just lock in and skate a solid race. I’m really happy with the execution and obviously thrilled about getting another starting position at the Olympics.’
Bowe has already said these Olympics, her fourth, will be her last. She will be 38 next month, and is more than satisfied with what she’s done in her career. ‘Blessed’ is a word she often uses. She’s a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, including in the 1,000 meters in 2022. She still holds the world-record holder in the 1,000 meters. She’s a four-time world champion.
Make no mistake, though, Bowe can still contend with the world’s best. She has been in the top five in both the 1,000 and 1,500 meters at the first four World Cups of the season, and Erin Jackson is the only person who gave her any kind of a challenge at the Olympic trials.
Jackson was the surprise winner in the 1,000 meters Saturday.
‘Competition drives me. Winning drives me. Performing better than expectation drives me,’ Bowe said. ‘I just really have a desire to be the best out there.’
And no one is going to get in her way. Literally.
As the skater in the inside lane, Myers was supposed to yield on their crossover. She didn’t, and the two were close enough that they made contact, with Bowe’s hand knocking Myers’ glasses off.
‘It was just tough how our speeds were aligned at the same time. It’s just unfortunate when that happens,’ Bowe said. ‘When I saw it was close, I actually tried to pick up my speed to go around her … even though it should be the inner lane to yield. But it’s my teammate and I wanted her to go. Unfortunately, we had a little collision.’
Bowe kept going as if nothing happened, and even tried to reassure Myers, one of her teammates in the team pursuit event, after the race. Myers was worried she would be disqualified for interference and, sure enough, she was.
Because it’s a selection event, however, Myers was given the opportunity to do a re-skate. She easily finished with the second-fastest time to earn a spot on the Olympic team.
‘I just told her to refocus and get this re-skate in, because there’s no question that she deserves that second starting position of the Olympics,’ Bowe said.
Emery Lehman and Casey Dawson went 1-2 in the men’s 1,500 meters to join Jordan Stolz in earning spots at that distance. Stolz had pre-qualified through his World Cup results, and opted to begin the race to secure his spot and then stop to conserve his energy.
Now that Bowe is officially on her way to her fourth Olympics, she’ll spend the next month training and trying to stay healthy. She’s at peace with her decision to retire, and doesn’t plan to do anything special or different in the leadup to the Milano Cortina Games.
Well, except decide whether to go to the women’s hockey gold-medal game, which is the night before Bowe’s 1,500-meter race.
Bowe’s longtime partner is Hilary Knight, captain of the U.S. women’s team. Knight has also said these Olympics, her fifth, will be her last.
‘I would love to get there, but I don’t know at this point,’ Bowe said. ‘My family will definitely be there. TBD if I will be there, but I really hope to be.
‘(Knight) wants me in the stands. But at the end of the day, we both know we have to do what’s best for each other,’ Bowe added. ‘But it would be great to celebrate her gold medal the night before I have a chance to do one myself.’
Wait! Is Bowe already calling the U.S. women to win gold?
‘Nothing but. Nothing but,’ Bowe said with a laugh.
The U.S. women are the favorites, having walloped archrival Canada 24-7 in the four Rivalry Series games in the fall. It’s the first time in the tournament’s six-year history that either team has swept the event.
‘It’s been a really fun journey the past four years to be able to celebrate each other’s accomplishments. It’s really been fun for me to be a fan, to be able to go to different Team USA events and not be the one stressed out about having to compete,’ Bowe said. ‘It’s just been so much fun to be able to do this together.’