Athlete Profile: Jessica Gaudesaboos (BEL), CadoMotus National

Jessica Gaudesaboos
CadoMotus National Team

Age: 18
DoB: 20.02.1989

Nationality: Belgian
Lives: Varsenare, BE
Skating Club: Rolschaatsclub Wuustwezel

Pro Team: CadoMotus National Netherlands

Single/Boyfriend/Married: Single
School/Work: School, Economics - Modern Languages, in Bruges, BE (for this year)
Are there other skaters/athletes in your family?: Yes, 1 Brother (Robbie Gaudesaboos) and 1 twin sister (Sabrina Gaudesaboos, also of CadoMotus National)

Jessica (right) with twin sister Sabrina in France earlier this season

How did you get started with skating:
The neighbor used to rollerskate (with the old rollerskates, 2 times 2 wheels beside each other) and we used to skate in our street when we were little. She told us there was a club in Bruges and there we started as recreant and after a few months, we changed to competitions (we were then 9 years old) We loved it and just keep on doing it.

What are your ambitions/goals in skating:
I would like to combine it with further studies as much as I can, and I want to go to the European Championship next year (maybe this year). I also want a top 10 place in a WIC. For the rest, we’ll see.


Jessica leads CadoMotus National teammates (sister Sabrina, and Margo van de Merwe)

Why do you choose to do speed skating? Why not something else?:
Because it’s the only thing I like so much from sport, I can do it with my family and I just love it.

What are your life ambitions/goals:
I want to get my degree (after 3 years from now, because now I still have to start it, so next year I start that) and then find a job and that kind of things.

What has been your best, or favorite, skating moment so far?:
In 2002, when I had my first European medal on the relay.

What has been your worst skating moment so far?:
The last race of the European championships, the marathon, the last lap, I fell when I raced alone (and the race wasn’t that good). I had to go to the hospital for stitches. The race was bad, I stuffed it up and then I fell.

What is your favorite type of skating, or your favorite event?:
My favorite events are Trois pistes and the French Inline cup


Jessica winning the France Inline Cup event in Goelo

What do you think is the best/strongest thing about your own skating?:
I never give up.

How do you imagine the 'perfect race' is for you?:
From the beginning of a race, just be with a teammate a bit before the group and that distance only becomes bigger. The whole race with 2 or 3 from the same team, the group doesn’t catch you any more and you don’t have to sprint either (But that almost never happens :p)

What is your advice to skaters who dream of racing in the world cup... how do they get there?:
Just never give up, keep on training, even if it’s not going that well.

Who is another skater/athlete that you look up to, and why?:
I don’t really look up to anyone.

Who is a young skater (from anywhere) that you think has a big future in the sport (who is your tip to be the next champion)?:
I don’t know their names, but the 2 Columbian girls who were at Trois pistes (I think they were 14/15 years old) CadoMotus News: These were 2 skaters under the coaching of Colombian former World Champion Luz-Mery Tristan.


Jessica wins the Klim van Steenwijk in the Netherlands

Results Highlights:

World:
- I only raced one, so 17th

Other International:
- Gross-Gerau (International Criterium): 3rd
- Zandvoorde (3-days of Zandvoorde): 2nd
- Padova (Grand Prix Padova): 1st
- French inline cup: two times 1st

National:
- 5 times silver and 1 time bronze (in juniors last year)
- 2nd on 42 km (this year)