Catherine Raney-Norman
Speedskating
1998 Olympian
2002 Olympian
2006 Olympian
2010 Olympic hopeful
Personal Specs
Height: 5'7"
Short List Performance
- 1998 Olympic Winter Games - 22nd (3000m)
- 2002 Olympic Winter Games - ninth (5000m), 13th (3000m)
- 2006 Olympic Winter Games - fifth (Team Pursuit), seventh (5000m), 11th (3000m), 18th (1500m)
- Four-time U.S. All-Around Champion (1999, 2002, 2003, 2005)
- World All-Around Championships - nine career top tens
- World Single Distance Championships - six career top tens
- American record holder - 3000m, 5000m
Vancouver Watch
Raney-Norman is still going strong as she approaches 30 years old. Potentially going into her fourth Olympic Winter Games, she is not considered a medal threat individually but could help the U.S. make the podium in the Team Pursuit. Her best events, based on career results, are the 3000m and the 5000m. She is one of the best speedskaters to have never won a World Championships or Olympic medal.
Personal
Raney-Norman started as a figure skater but suffered a knee injury and switched to speed skating at the age of 13. In 1999, she moved from Wisconsin to Calgary to train with Canada's great distance skaters. That moved helped her break American Records in the 3000m and the 5000m. In October 2004, she injured her right elbow while trying to break a fall from her bike. The injury was so serious that the elbow dislocated every time she would push open a door. Her hobbies include cooking and home renovation projects.
Did You Know...?
- Also played prep softball, field hockey and track at Brookfield Academy
- Had an 8:30 p.m. bedtime in high school due to training schedule
- Was told by a teacher in first grade that she had a reading problem, which helped inspire her to become a straight-A student
- Lives on top of a mountain and commutes to her home via snowmobile and snowcat