Saskia Alusalu — Biography

Born on April 14, 1994, Saskia Alusalu is a speed skater hailing from Estonia. Her athletic journey included a significant appearance for her country at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games held in Pyeongchang. A standout performance in her career occurred during the 2017/18 World Cup season in Calgary, where she secured her most impressive World Cup finish to date, a fourth place in the mass start event. Her race strategy involved an early aggressive move, establishing a lead that was eventually closed by three other competitors, including the eventual champion, Claudia Pechstein, who ultimately surpassed her. Alusalu also had the honor of carrying Estonia's flag during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics. She has set multiple national speed skating records. In August 2021, even while preparing for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Alusalu declared the end of her speed skating career. This decision stemmed from a desire to prioritize her personal life and a recognition that she could no longer sustain the demanding physical toll of the sport. Beyond her ongoing physiotherapy studies at the University of Tartu, Alusalu has earned a coaching certification, equipping her for future endeavors in that capacity.