The frozen lake in Savalen, Norway, stretched out like a white runway. There was no starting line, no opponent in the next lane, and no grandstands full of spectators. Just Kjeld Nuis, a Dakar Rally car retrofitted with a massive windscreen, and a relentless obsession.
As the car accelerated, Nuis tucked into its slipstream, his blades a blur against the ice. The goal wasn’t just to win; it was to conquer a seemingly impossible barrier: 100 kilometers per hour on ice skates.
When the speedometer finally clicked over, confirming a mind-bending 103 kph, the three-time Olympic champion didn’t just break his own record; he shattered the ceiling of what was thought humanly possible, cementing his legacy not just as a champion, but as a pioneer.
Early life and background
Born on November 10, 1989, in the town of Leiden, Netherlands, Kjeld Nuis seemed destined for the ice, even if his path wasn’t always straight.
Growing up in a country where speed skating is a national passion, Nuis was first drawn to the sport at the age of seven after watching Dutch icon Rintje Ritsma blaze across the television screen. “I enjoyed the movement and the feeling of it,” he later recalled, a simple spark that would ignite a legendary career.
But his journey to the top was nearly derailed before it began. At just 14 years old, Nuis was involved in a serious car accident that left him with a severe concussion and broken eye sockets.
This harrowing experience could have ended his athletic dreams, but it instead forged a resilience that would define his career. Supported by his family, he worked his way back, channeling his energy into the local club, IJsvereniging Leiden.
Career trajectory
Rise to prominence
Nuis’s ascent in the senior ranks was a testament to his raw talent on the middle distances—the 1000m and 1500m. He made his World Cup debut in 2009, but it was during the 2011-2012 season that he truly announced himself on the world stage by becoming the inaugural winner of the prestigious Grand World Cup, awarded to the best all-around skater on the circuit.
The olympic breakthrough (PyeongChang 2018)
The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang was his coronation. Under the bright lights, Nuis delivered a performance for the ages. First, he stormed to victory in the 1500m, holding off his Dutch compatriots. Days later, he returned to the oval for the 1000m, winning his second gold medal in a photo-finish, crossing the line just 0.04 seconds ahead of his rival. He left South Korea as a double Olympic champion and was rightfully made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau upon his return to the Netherlands.
Defending glory and battling setbacks (Beijing 2022 & Beyond)
The road to Beijing 2022 was fraught with peril. In July 2021, Nuis was hospitalized with pericarditis, an inflammation around the heart—a terrifying diagnosis for any athlete. True to form, he fought back, managing his recovery with precision. He arrived at the Beijing Olympics not just as a competitor, but as a defender of his title. In the 1500m, he delivered a masterclass, breaking the Olympic record with a time of 1:43.21 and securing his third Olympic gold medal.
Playing style and skills
Kjeld Nuis is more than just a powerful skater; he is a technician of the highest order. At 1.88m (6’2″) and 87kg, he uses his height to generate immense power and length in his stride.
His style is characterized by a blend of raw horsepower and surgical precision. He possesses an uncanny ability to read a race, finding the perfect balance between an explosive start and the stamina required to close a lap faster than anyone else.
This mastery is perhaps best illustrated by his staggering personal records, all set at the high-altitude Utah Olympic Oval:
- 1500m: 1:40.17 (World Record – Current)
- 1000m: 1:06.18 (Former World Record)
Life off the ice
When he’s not rewriting the record books, Nuis leads a life as dynamic as his skating. He is a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie whose hobbies include inline skating, snowboarding, and motorcycling, recently picking up a new Ducati.
He shares his life with his partner, fellow world champion speed skater Joy Beune, and his son, Jax (born in 2016). Fluent in multiple languages, including English, French, and Spanish, Nuis embodies the motto he lives by: “Carpe diem” —Seize the day.
His need for speed extends beyond the oval. In 2022, he famously teamed up with American Dakar Rally driver Seth Quintero to smash his own speed record, hitting 103 kph on a frozen lake in Norway. “I was literally flying over the ice,” he said, describing the feeling of surpassing 100kph.
Records and accolades
Here is a snapshot of Kjeld Nuis’s legendary career:
Olympic winter games
- Gold (1500m): Beijing 2022
- Gold (1000m): PyeongChang 2018
- Gold (1500m): PyeongChang 2018
ISU World Single distances championships
- Gold (1500m): 2017, 2020
- Gold (1000m): 2017
- Gold (Team Sprint): 2019
- Plus 8 additional Silver and Bronze medals (2011-2024)
World records
- 1500m: 1:40.17 (Current World Record – March 10, 2019, Salt Lake City)
- 1000m: 1:06.18 (Former World Record – March 9, 2019, Salt Lake City)
- Speed Record: 103 kph (World’s fastest speed on ice skates – March 2022, Norway)
Awards & honors
- Dutch Sportsman of the Year (2018)
- Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau (2018)
- Oscarstatuetten (Oscar Mathisen Award) (2019)
FAQ
Q: Who is Kjeld Nuis?
A: Kjeld Nuis is a Dutch professional speed skater and a three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest middle-distance (1000m and 1500m) skaters of all time and is the current world record holder in the 1500 meters.
Q: How old is Kjeld Nuis?
A: Kjeld Nuis was born on November 10, 1989.
Q: What is Kjeld Nuis’s net worth?
A: While exact net worth figures are not publicly disclosed, Kjeld Nuis’s earnings come from prize money, lucrative endorsement deals with major brands like Red Bull and Toyota, and national sports funding in the Netherlands.
Q: Is Kjeld Nuis in a relationship?
A: Yes, he is in a relationship with Joy Beune, who is also a world champion speed skater for the Netherlands.
Q: What are Kjeld Nuis’s world records?
A: He holds the official world record for the men’s 1500m with a time of 1:40.17. He also unofficially holds the record for the fastest speed ever achieved on ice skates, reaching 103 kph in 2022.