Kelly Gunther

Kelly Gunther (born August 14, 1987) is an American speed skater who participated in the 2014 Winter Olympics. She began roller skating at age six, briefly tried figure skating, then took up inline speed skating. As an inline skater, she won multiple World Championship gold medals on the United States relay team. In 2009, she transitioned to ice speed skating.

At the 2010 Olympic trials, Gunther appeared to make the United States speed skating team, but was bumped from the team after another skater was granted a re-skate. In March 2010, she fell during a race and suffered a double-compound fracture that nearly severed her foot from her leg. After intensive rehab, Gunther was able to return to skating and set two personal best times in November 2011. She made the 2011–2012 World Cup team and placed third in the 1000 meters at the 2011–2012 national championships. At the 2014 U.S. Olympic trials, she skated a personal best time of 1:16.43 in the 1000 meters to place fourth and make the Olympic team.

Early life Kelly Gunther was born August 14, 1987, to mother Julie Sprague in Lorain, Ohio.

When she was 11, Gunther's father walked out on the family, prompting Sprague to move Gunther to Macomb County, Michigan, and take on two jobs. During the day she worked as a caseworker and at night she ran a company that cleaned up apartments after people moved.

Skating career During her ten years as an inline skater, Gunther made the United States' Junior World Championship team several times and won multiple gold medals as part of American relay teams.

After surgery to repair her ankle, Gunther moved to Colorado Springs to be near the USOC Training Center's rehabilitation facility. She spent four months in a cast. Earlier at the trials, she finished seventh in the 500 meters. In her free time she likes to go shopping, hang out with friends, and vacation in St. Thomas. Gunther lists her mother as the greatest influence in her life.