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Kearns • Erin Jackson’s family can’t be in Beijing for the 2022 Olympic Games, which has banned all fans from outside mainland China to stem the spread of COVID-19. But Friday from the trackside stands at the Utah Olympic Oval, they got a glimpse of what they might be missing.
With cousins, her aunt and her father cheering her on, Jackson streaked around her home ice to win gold in the women’s 500 meters on the opening day of the International Skating Union World Cup long-track speedskating races. In fact, she went faster than any other American woman has ever gone. Her time of 36.809 seconds broke the national record of 36.9 set eight years ago by Heather Bergsma.
“I’m just glad she’s where she’s at,” Tracy Jackson said of his daughter. “I didn’t know she was doing this good.”
Good doesn’t accurately describe how Erin Jackson is doing this season. Taking down the record was a small milestone compared to the one Jackson, 29, claimed last month in the season opener in Poland.
There, the Salt Lake City racer became the first Black woman in history to stand atop the podium at a World Cup.
Jackson now stands atop the World Cup standings — 10...