Ellia Smeding Wiki, Bio, Networth, BF, Husband, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Ellia Smeding

Ellia Smeding is a distinguished British long track speed skater who has made significant strides in a sport not traditionally prominent in the United Kingdom. She is renowned for breaking a 42-year hiatus for British female long track speed skaters at the Winter Olympics when she competed in the Beijing 2022 Games. Smeding’s determination and perseverance have not only seen her break national records but also achieve a historic podium finish at the European Speed Skating Championships. Beyond her athletic pursuits, she is a co-founder of her own coffee company, Brew ’22, a venture she started with her partner and fellow speed skater, Cornelius Kersten, to help fund their sporting careers. Her journey is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication to her sport, making her a trailblazer for British winter sports.

Ellia Smeding Overview

Early Life and Education of Ellia Smeding

Ellia Smeding was born on March 16, 1998, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. She spent her early childhood in Oxfordshire. Her family background is a blend of Dutch and British heritage, with her father being Dutch and her mother English. This dual nationality played a pivotal role in shaping her future career. In 2005, when Smeding was eight years old, her family made the significant decision to move to the Netherlands. The initial intention behind the move was for the children to learn the Dutch language and connect with their Dutch roots. However, what was planned as a temporary stay became permanent. It was in the Netherlands, a country with a deep-rooted passion for speed skating, that Smeding was first introduced to the sport that would become her life’s focus. Growing up, Smeding was an active child who enjoyed a variety of sports, with a particular fondness for roller skating and ice-skating parties. Her competitive nature was evident even at a young age. After moving to the Netherlands, her interest in rollerblading naturally transitioned to the ice. At the age of nine, she joined a local skating club and began her journey in long track speed skating. Despite her evident passion, Smeding’s path was not without its challenges. She was not initially identified as a top talent and was often overlooked for selection to development teams, which meant missing out on crucial opportunities to advance her skills. However, her belief in her own potential never wavered. She took the initiative to work with a personal trainer specializing in speed skating, a decision that eventually led to her being recognized by the long track division of British Ice Skating, granting her access to better training facilities and support. Alongside her demanding athletic career, Smeding has also pursued higher education. She is currently studying psychology at the Open University in the Netherlands, balancing her academic pursuits with her rigorous training schedule. This commitment to both her mental and physical development underscores her holistic approach to her career and life.

Ellia Smeding’s Career

Ellia Smeding’s career in long track speed skating is a compelling narrative of resilience, determination, and historic achievements. After moving to the Netherlands, a global hub for the sport, she faced the immense challenge of breaking through in a highly competitive environment. Initially overlooked by talent scouts, Smeding’s perseverance saw her independently seek out specialized coaching, which proved to be a turning point. Her hard work began to pay off as she started competing in the Junior World Cups, which served as her stepping stone onto the international stage. In 2016, she joined her first professional team, marking a significant step up from club-level racing. A year later, in 2017, she moved to a new team and began to rediscover her enjoyment of the competitive aspects of the sport. The 2019/2020 season marked a significant breakthrough for Smeding. She started to achieve podium finishes at the U23 World Cups and qualified for her first senior European Championships, where she set a new British record in the 1000m with a 14th place finish. This was a clear indication of her growing prowess and potential on the world stage. The pinnacle of her career to date came with her qualification for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. In doing so, she became the first British female long track speed skater to compete at the Games in 42 years, a truly historic moment for British winter sports. In the lead-up to the Olympics, she impressively broke the British records in both the 1000m and 1500m events. At the Games, she finished 23rd in the 1000m and 27th in the 1500m. Following her Olympic debut, Smeding continued to build on her success. In a remarkable achievement in January 2023, she won a bronze medal in the 1000m at the European Speed Skating Championships in Hamar, Norway, finishing sixth overall. This was the first time a British woman had secured a medal at such a prestigious international long track speed skating event. The 2024/25 season presented new challenges as Smeding battled a hip injury. However, she made a triumphant return to the ice, securing top-10 finishes at the ISU World Cup and setting new national records, demonstrating her resilience and unwavering commitment. In May 2025, Smeding and her partner, Cornelius Kersten, made the strategic decision to relocate their training base to Calgary, Canada, to work with a new coach in preparation for the upcoming Winter Olympics. This move was aimed at providing them with a fresh and individualized performance environment to aid their recovery from injuries and optimize their preparations for future competitions. Her sights are firmly set on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where she aims to continue her trailblazing journey.

Ellia Smeding Personal Life & Family

Ellia Smeding’s personal life is deeply intertwined with her speed skating career. She was born in England to a Dutch father and a British mother, and this dual heritage has been a defining aspect of her life and athletic journey. The family’s decision to move to the Netherlands when she was a child was instrumental in her discovery of and passion for speed skating. While the names of her parents and any siblings are not widely publicized, Smeding has expressed that her family has always been a significant source of support in her pursuit of her dreams. A central figure in her personal and professional life is her partner, Cornelius Kersten, who is also a talented long track speed skater representing Great Britain. Their shared passion for the sport has created a strong bond, and they are not only romantic partners but also training partners and business partners. They train together, providing mutual support and understanding of the unique challenges and demands of being elite athletes in an unfunded sport in the UK. This partnership extends beyond the ice rink. In 2019, Smeding and Kersten co-founded their own coffee company, Brew ’22. The idea for the business was born out of their travels for competitions and the desire for quality coffee on the road. The name “Brew ’22” was a nod to their ambition of competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics, a goal they both successfully achieved. The company not only serves as a passion project but also as a crucial source of funding for their skating careers, covering training, travel, and equipment costs. This entrepreneurial venture highlights their proactive and determined approach to achieving their athletic goals. In May 2025, the couple embarked on a new chapter by moving their training base from the Netherlands to Calgary, Canada. This decision was made to optimize their preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics, seeking a fresh training environment to aid their recovery from recent injuries and to continue their development under a new coach. Smeding’s lifestyle is one of immense discipline and dedication, balancing her rigorous training schedule, her business responsibilities, and her academic studies in psychology. She has spoken about the sacrifices involved in being a top athlete but also the immense satisfaction derived from pursuing her passion.

Awards and Achievements of Ellia Smeding

• Bronze Medal, 1000m, European Speed Skating Championships (Hamar, Norway, 2023)
• Sixth Place Overall, European Speed Skating Championships (Hamar, Norway, 2023)
• First British female long track speed skater to compete in the Winter Olympics in 42 years (Beijing, 2022)
• 23rd Place, 1000m, Winter Olympics (Beijing, 2022)
• 27th Place, 1500m, Winter Olympics (Beijing, 2022)
• 8th Place, 1000m, World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships (2023)
• 11th Place, 1500m, World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships (2023)
• 9th Place, ISU World Sprint Championships (Hamar, 2022)
• 10th Place, ISU World Sprint Championships (Inzell, 2024)
• Holder of British records in the 1000m and 1500m events
• Gold & Silver Medalist at the U23 World Cup
• Flag bearer for Great Britain at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Winter World University Games in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Ellia Smeding Net Worth and Income

The specific net worth of Ellia Smeding is not publicly available. As an athlete in a sport that receives limited funding in the United Kingdom, a significant portion of her income is self-generated through her entrepreneurial endeavors. Her primary source of income, aside from any potential personal sponsorships or performance-based bonuses, is her coffee company, Brew ’22. She co-founded the business in 2019 with her partner, Cornelius Kersten, with the express purpose of funding their speed skating careers. The company sells coffee beans and single-cup coffee filters, and its success has been instrumental in allowing them to compete at the highest level, including the Winter Olympics. While details of the company’s revenue are not public, it has been successful enough to support their training and competition expenses. Smeding and Kersten have expressed a desire to grow the business to a point where they can support other athletes in similar situations in the future, indicating a long-term vision for the company beyond their own skating careers. Information regarding any personal endorsements or sponsorships is not widely publicized.

Legacy and Influence

Ellia Smeding’s legacy is already significant within the landscape of British winter sports. Her participation in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, breaking a 42-year absence for a British female long track speed skater, was a landmark achievement that brought renewed attention to the sport in the UK. This historic feat has positioned her as a pioneer and an inspiration for aspiring winter athletes in a country where long track speed skating has a very limited presence and no dedicated 400m rinks. Her influence extends beyond her own performances. By taking the initiative to self-fund her career through the creation of her own business, Brew ’22, with her partner Cornelius Kersten, she has demonstrated an innovative and resilient approach to achieving her goals. This entrepreneurial spirit serves as a powerful example to other athletes in non-mainstream sports who face funding challenges. Smeding’s historic bronze medal at the 2023 European Championships further cemented her status as a trailblazer, proving that British athletes can compete and succeed at the highest levels of long track speed skating. Her success has the potential to inspire greater investment and interest in the sport within the UK. She has spoken about her desire to put long track speed skating “on the map” in Great Britain, and her achievements are a significant step towards that goal. Her public image is that of a dedicated, hard-working, and articulate athlete who is passionate about her sport and committed to paving the way for future generations.

Interesting Facts about Ellia Smeding

• Before becoming a speed skater, Ellia was a keen rollerblader, and her love for this activity was a natural precursor to her transition to the ice after moving to the Netherlands.
• She co-founded a coffee company, Brew ’22, with her partner and fellow Olympian Cornelius Kersten to fund their speed skating careers. The name of the company was inspired by their goal of competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
• In 2017, she was the flag bearer for Great Britain at the opening ceremony of the Winter World University Games in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• Despite her success, she was not considered a natural talent in her early years and was not selected for regional talent and development teams in the Netherlands.
• She and her partner moved their training base to Calgary, Canada, in 2025 to prepare for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
• She is pursuing a degree in psychology from the Open University in the Netherlands, balancing her studies with her demanding athletic career.

Controversies

There is no publicly available information regarding any controversies involving Ellia Smeding. She has maintained a positive public image focused on her athletic achievements and entrepreneurial ventures.

Social Media Presence

• Instagram – Information not disclosed.
• Twitter – Information not disclosed.
• YouTube – Not publicly available.

Final Words about Ellia Smeding

Ellia Smeding stands as a pivotal figure in modern British winter sports. Her journey from an aspiring young skater in a foreign land to a history-making Olympian and European medalist is a powerful narrative of perseverance and self-belief. By breaking a four-decade-long Olympic drought for British female long track speed skaters, she has not only etched her name in the record books but has also opened a new chapter for the sport in her home country. Her innovative approach to funding her career through the establishment of Brew ’22 with her partner Cornelius Kersten is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering determination. Currently training in Canada, Smeding is fully focused on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where she hopes to build upon her past successes and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible for a British speed skater. Her legacy will undoubtedly be one of a trailblazer who not only achieved personal excellence but also inspired a new generation of athletes and brought a niche sport into the British consciousness. As she continues to compete at the highest level, her story of resilience and passion will undoubtedly continue to unfold.