Anna Ringsred

Anna Ringsred (born September 27, 1984) is an American speed skater who represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics. She began speed skating at age 13 and made the United States junior team while in high school. In 2004, she qualified for the Junior World Allround Championships, placing 22nd. She qualified for World Championship events in 2007, 2008, and 2010, with her best finish being a fifth place in the 2007 team pursuit.

Ringsred had four third-place finishes at the 2010 National Championships, but was not selected to the 2010 Olympic team. She retired from speed skating at the end of the season, but launched a comeback effort in 2012. She made the 2013 Allround and Single Distance World Championship teams. Ringsred placed third in the 3000 meters at the 2013–2014 National Championships and followed it up with a second place in the event at the United States Olympic trials to make her first Olympic team. At the Olympics, she placed 26th in the 3000 meters.

Early life Anna Ringsred was born September 27, 1984, in Duluth, Minnesota.

Ringsred attended Montessori School of Duluth, and graduated from Duluth Marshall High School in 2003. At the 2004 Junior World Allround Championships, she placed 22nd. In 2007, she had a fifth-place finish at the World Championships in the team pursuit, and placed 15th in the 1500 meters. At the 2013 World Championships, she placed 21st in the 1000 meters and 18th in the 1500 meters.

Ringsred entered the 2014 United States Olympic Trials, planning to retire at the end of the season regardless of what happened in the Trials. In her first event, the 3000 meters, she placed second and qualified for the United States Olympic Team with a time of 4:13.80. "I was so scared going into this", she said afterwards. "A lot was at stake. This was my last chance. I can't believe it. I made it." Ringsred went on to compete in all five events at the Trials, placing in the top ten in all of them.

At the 2014 Winter Olympics, Ringsred finished the 3000 meter race in a time of 4:21.51. "(The ice) was slower than I expected," she said. "With the effort I was giving, I thought [my time] would be a bit faster ... I fought the whole way, so at least I'm happy with that."