Finn Sonnekalb, a 17-year-old speed skater from Erfurt, made history by winning three titles at the Junior World Championships in Italy. As he prepares for his World Cup debut, he reflects on his journey from a cycling family to becoming a top competitor. With aspirations for Olympic qualification, Finn aims to transition successfully into adult competitions while drawing inspiration from established athletes. He is determined to prove himself beyond just a promising talent in speed skating.
German junior speed skaters rarely get to celebrate victories at world championships, but Finn Sonnekalb has made history by clinching three titles in a single weekend. This Friday, the 17-year-old will embark on his debut at the World Cup as an adult competitor.
Finn Sonnekalb has proven himself as the best in the world in his age category, a fact he reinforced just over a week ago. At the Junior World Championships held in Klobenstein, Italy, the young athlete from Erfurt secured three world championship titles in the 1,000 meters, 1,500 meters, and in the all-round competition. He also earned bronze medals in the 500 meters and the team sprint, showcasing his remarkable talent.
The significance of his achievements becomes even more pronounced when viewed through a historical lens. Over the past 35 years, only one German junior male skater has won a world championship title, with the last all-round champion being Michael Spielmann back in 1988.
Exhaustion After Glory
‘I have a high tolerance for pain. Many other skaters can’t push beyond their limits, but for me, there’s always more to give.’ This is how Finn Sonnekalb describes his competitive spirit. For him, the concept of limits is not merely figurative.
‘After races, I’m often completely spent for about 15 minutes, lying unresponsive somewhere over the barrier or on a mat.’ He explains that since the strongest competitors typically race last, he frequently misses the awards ceremonies: ‘I sometimes worry that I might just collapse.’
Dominance Among Peers
Team leader Helge Jasch was deeply impressed by Sonnekalb’s performances at the World Championships in Italy, stating: ‘Finn is a true warrior. As he approaches the final curve and the race is tight, he usually finds a way to come out on top in head-to-head battles.’ However, such close encounters with his peers are infrequent for the Erfurt native. Instead, he primarily pushes himself by striving to better his personal bests, and at just 17, he already ranks among Germany’s elite adult competitors.
Finn hails from a cycling family. His parents, Madeleine and Gerrit, took him on an extensive cycling tour across Scandinavia when he was only one year old, still secured in a child seat. By the time Finn was six, the family had cycled across Europe for eight months, during which he began pedaling on the tandem.
As a vibrant and energetic child, Finn’s parents decided to enroll him in the sports school in Erfurt. However, cycling was only available starting in the seventh grade, prompting the family to seek alternative sports.
A Fortuitous Encounter
Initially, athletics was the plan. Yet, due to high demand for this sport in his hometown, a lottery system was implemented to determine who could join training sessions. Unfortunately, Finn drew a losing ticket.
By coincidence, on the same day, a Christmas party for young speed skaters was taking place at the nearby ice rink. The head coach presented the six-year-old with a Santa Claus figure. ‘From that moment, I knew I wanted to be a speed skater,’ Sonnekalb recalls fondly.
Embracing the Athlete’s Lifestyle
Finn Sonnekalb has been living the life of a professional athlete for nearly two years. He completed his secondary education in 2023 and then took a voluntary social year with his club, ESC Erfurt. His sole focus is on enhancing his athletic performance. At just 17, he has already secured a place in the sports promotion group of the Bundeswehr in Oberhof, where he will begin his basic training in April.
Last year, Sonnekalb achieved victory at the Youth Olympic Games in Korea, winning gold in both the 500 and 1,500 meters. His recent successes are seen as a natural progression of his earlier triumphs. His coach, Harald Harnisch, aims to structure training in a way that avoids overwhelming Finn. There are many cautionary tales of young athletes who faced excessive training loads and struggled to cope in the long run.
Eyes on the Olympics
German speed skating has been anticipating a talent like Finn Sonnekalb for a long time. The last Olympic medal won by the association was in 2010, followed by the last world championship title just a year later. Since then, the sport has experienced a significant downturn, although a positive trend is now emerging. ‘I’ve recognized how desperately they need someone to step up,’ Sonnekalb shares, as he prepares to compete against adult skaters for the first time at the World Cup in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland.
‘I want to get a feel for the competition; I haven’t set any lofty goals. I’m just going to see how it goes.’ His tone may come across as modest, but he also considers the possibility of qualifying for the individual world championship in mid-March in Hamar.
Facing Strong National Rivals
However, particularly in his strongest events—the 1,000 and 1,500 meters—Finn faces stiff competition from fellow national athletes. With Hendrik Dombek, Moritz Klein, and Stefan Emele all capable of achieving top-ten finishes in the World Cup, the competition is fierce.
Yet, Finn Sonnekalb is already thinking ahead to the next winter season, with the Olympic Games looming as a significant milestone. ‘I believe I have a shot at qualifying for them,’ he states confidently, even as he could still compete in the junior category for another year. However, he finds limited competition in his age group internationally unexciting: ‘There’s hardly anyone left to challenge me.’
Inspired by a Role Model
In this context, Finn looks up to Jordan Stolz, a young American speed skater who has already made a mark on the global stage, winning six world championship titles at just 20 years old. Sonnekalb aspires to make a similar transition from junior to adult competition. ‘He has tremendous potential and prospects,’ team leader Helge Jasch optimistically envisions the future.
While many athletes have excelled in junior categories without making a successful leap into adulthood in speed skating, Finn Sonnekalb is determined to avoid being labeled merely as a ‘talent.’ ‘I refuse to be just another name in the talent pool.’