Charger Spotlight: Evie Forrer
All photos provided by Forrer.
Lari Li
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Evie Forrer - Long-Track Speedskater
Evie is a sophomore. She’s a multidisciplinary speedskater, skating both long track and short track in a sport where every limit of the human body is tested and surpassed.
She focuses on long track and is a true threat on ice—having represented Team USA at the 2025 Junior World Cup and Junior World Championships. She also knows a thing or two about grit: On top of her rigorous course load and multiple APs, she trains six days a week. She skates 1500 meters in two minutes and 11 seconds. To put that into perspective, that’s almost twice as fast as running the world record mile (1600 meters in 4:07).
Besides her athletics and academics, Evie demonstrates excellent character. She’s a Peer Leader here at Hamilton and uplifts everyone around her.
Describe long-track speedskating.
“Skaters compete in pairs, but rankings are based on individual times. Long track generally has four individual distances. Women compete in 500 meters, 1000 meters, 1500 meters, and 3000 meters. Men also compete in the first three distances but do a 5000 instead of 3000.
For team events, there’s the team pursuit where three skaters skate in a pack and push each other for six laps.
In the mass start, there can be up to 24 skaters on the oval at once. They compete for 16 laps and can get points in designated “sprint” laps.
The mixed relay is where skaters complete their laps and fling their partners forward by arm.”
What got you into speedskating?
“I started with Pettit’s ‘Learn to Skate’ program in kindergarten. Naturally, I saw people speedskating on the oval and thought it looked cool. I picked the sport up in third grade, and here I am eight years later.”
What would you deem your greatest accomplishment?
“Qualifying for World Championships. Never expected it. I was 39th in the 3000. At World Cup, I was 21st in the 3000 and 32nd in the 3000.”
What are some of your goals for the future?
“I don’t see myself skating much beyond high school, but for next season, I’d love to make the Junior Worlds team again and qualify for the 2026 Olympic Trials.”
Describe your training.
“I’m on ice everyday from Monday to Friday. On Tuesdays, I do both long and short track and on Saturdays, I have morning ice. Sunday is always my rest day.
Long-track speedskaters focus on all muscle groups—like legs, core, and upper body—since you need it all. I’m more of a distance skater, but I still do a lot of reaction drills and focus on my technique.”
Describe your ideal training session.
“Long laps, my favorite. When other skaters are matching my pace, I’m hitting all my splits and my technique is where I want it to be. It’s even better when other people are matching the vibe. If other people are having a good day, it brings you up too.”
What’s your favorite distance and why?
“The 3000. It’s my best distance, and I enjoy setting the pace and almost ‘zoning out,’ except I’m extremely focused yet going through the motions and pushing hard.”
What’s your favorite racing location so far?
“I absolutely loved the World Championships in Collalbo, Italy. It was literally in the mountains. The rink was in a plateau surrounded by gorgeous mountains and views.”
What are some of your favorite races?
“I always love pack racing. Age Group Nationals in 2023 was lots of fun, and I got first. AmCup #1 was a really good start to my season and kind of set great momentum for me. I achieved personal bests in three distances there.”
How do you balance such rigorous training with rigorous academics?
“How do I? I try to. I do homework as much as I can throughout the school day, as I know my mind is freshest prior to training. I’ll do Quizlet while on bike too.”
Besides skating, what are some of your other hobbies / disciplines?
“I run the 400 for HHS track. I also do triple and long jump. I enjoy art and sketching, which is just something I do for myself. I also love to read and do sudoku. I play a lot of sudoku.”
Describe how “tough” skating can get.
“To put it into perspective, as soon as you’re finished with the 1500, it’s already terrible. I’ve raced at outdoor rinks, and there were times where it was snowing or raining.”
Do you have any pre-race rituals?
“I don’t necessarily have any rituals, but I do the same warmup every time. No matter where I am, who I’m with, or if it’s a race or training, it’s always the same one. I’m always listening to music on race day. If I’m at the Pettit, I’m warming up in the basement alone.”
Who do you look up to in your sport?
“I love Arianna Fontana. She does both long track and short track, which I think is super cool. Miho Takagi is super good at the 1500. I also love William Dandjinou. As for American skaters, Kristen Santos-Griswold and Erin Jackson are great role models.”
What’s the best piece of advice a skater has given you?
“Tommy, a teammate of mine, told me that if a 1500 doesn’t hurt, you did it wrong.
Coach Jori places an emphasis on trusting yourself, especially in short track. He says to go for it and take risks, whether that’s second guessing yourself for going too fast in the start or being able to lean into the corner.”
What’s the best piece of advice a person has given you?
Putting your all into everything. If you’re going to do something, do it to your best ability.
Is there anyone you’d like to credit that’s contributed to your success in the sport?
“My current coach, Witty. Coach Jori for teaching me 90% of what I know about skating. Out of the eight years, he’s coached me for almost seven. I’m super grateful for my parents for supporting me, and my teammates for training with me.”
Any advice for aspiring ice skaters and athletes?
“Try it! Just give it a go. It’s a small sport, so people should join. If you’re learning to skate, don’t get discouraged; you’ll figure it out. It just takes a few tries.”
