Vanessa HERZOG

PYEONGCHANG 2018
Flew to Korea with the flu, having spent the week leading up with a high fever. Withdrawing from the 1500m, giving her two additional days to prepare for the 1000m, where she finished fifth. Completely exhausted after the race, it took her two days to get back on the track, allowing only two days to prepare for the 500m. Finishing fourth in the 500m (missed a medal by 0.17 seconds), her coach decided to withdraw her from the Mass Start despite another six days before the race.

"My first Games were in Sochi (2014), and I was 18. That’s what really launched my career. It was good to have this first experience. Four years later, I was competing in PyeongChang. By then, I knew what was involved, what a big event it was, how much media pressure there was, etc. And my results were much better. I loved taking part in the Games, they were really special. You train like mad for four years to show the best you can do, and you get to meet athletes from all sports, not just speed skating." (olympics.com, 30 Nov 2019; bvz.at, 23 Feb 2018)

ATHLETE / COACH RELATIONSHIP
Paramount to her success is her coach. “In my case, it’s special since my husband is my coach. That means we are together 24/7 and on the road which makes us stronger, and is a key to our success. I personally believe that every world-class athlete needs very special support in order to achieve outstanding results.” (iceatrail.com; isu.org)

TRAINING PARTNER
In 2020, she trained with her idol, Dutch speed skater Ireen Wust. Together they attended different training camps in preparation for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. "I think it is a good combination. She is also happy. She also wants to concentrate on the shorter distances. It helps if a fast woman can ride with her or drive up. She benefits from my sprint and speed-strength, I benefit from her many years of endurance and competition experience." (mysportmystory.com, 7 May 2020)

COVID-19
Normal off-season training was affected by the pandemic. Inline skating was only possible on the bike path, as she could not go to the inline track in Slovenia. "Normally, I do basic training on the bike. Thank goodness we have a weight room in the basement, I was able to do strength training there."

When competition returned, she considered herself blessed to be able to travel with her husband and coach. "Our advantage is that we are there together as a couple. Life is very relaxed and less bad than expected." (mysportmystory.com, 7 May 2020; sportaktiv.com, 15 May 2021)

ANIMALS
After becoming World and European Champion in 2019, the mayor of Ferlach gifted her two alpacas, "Bella Sun" and "Nakimano". Along with alpacas (her favourite animal), she also owns geese, pigs and chickens. "I'm usually with the animals every free minute. For me, that's the best way to balance out sports." (tt.com, 2019; sportaktiv.com, 15 May 2021)

TRAINING ACCIDENT
Hit by a truck, while training on her bicycle in April 2017, after the vehicle made an unexpected turn and Herzog was unable to brake fast enough. Despite having her leg run over, she walked away with minor cuts and bruises. "I have been very lucky. At first, I did not realise what had happened to me. It was only later when I was in the car that it hit me. I had a thousand guardian angels. It is a miracle that I escaped worse injuries." (schaatsen.nl, 11 Apr 2017)

WEDDING
Married her coach, Thomas Herzog (AUT), in September 2016. The small ceremony, at the Innsbruck's registry office, was attended by family, friends and Austrian athletes, including junior pole vaulter Kira Gruenberg, Olympic sailor Lara Vadlau (2012), three-time Olympic luger Wolfgang Kindl and three-time Olympic speed skater Anna Rokita. (tt.com, 16 Sep 2016)

© Data by Sports Data Warehouse

OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
Three-time Olympian. At Sochi 2014, became the youngest Austrian female speed skater to compete at the Olympic Winter Games (18 years 222 days) and only the fourth female overall.

Only female Austrian speed skater to compete at PyeongChang 2018 (Linus Heidegger was the only male).

Fourth in the 500m and eighth in the 1000m at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
First Austrian-born woman to win a World Championship gold medal, winning the 500m in 2019 (Emese Hunyady was born in Hungary).

Five-time gold medallist at the World Junior Championships, winning three events in 2015 (500m, 1000m, Mass Start).

WORLD CUP
Second-most World Cup podium finishes for an Austrian skater with 28 (Emese Hunyady had 46).

Only Austrian to win or have a podium finish in the 500m (five wins, 23 podium).

Finished first overall in the 500m twice (2018, 2019), giving her one more overall title than Emese Hunyady (equal with Michael Hadschieff).

NATIONAL
National record holder in the 500m (36.83), 1000m (1:13.43) and 1500m (1.55.05), and junior record holder in the same distances. Only skater to appear on the record lists, holding the 500m and 1000m records since November 2013 and the 1500m since November 2015.

Sixteen national titles, with an additional 14 second-place finishes.