Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam is currently enjoying a spectacular high in her professional life, matching the rising fame of her fiancé, boxer Jake Paul. She has kicked off the new ISU World Cup season not just with athletic prowess but also with a significant leap into the world of high fashion.
A Golden Start on the Ice
The champion skater claimed her first gold medal of the campaign on November 15 at the ISU World Cup event held in Salt Lake City. Competing in the women's 1000m event, Leerdam secured a nail-biting victory, edging out her competitor, Femke Kok, by a mere 0.08 seconds. This hard-fought win provided her with powerful momentum, firmly placing her back in the international sports spotlight.
Skating into a Fashion Partnership
Shortly after her triumphant win, Leerdam shared another major announcement with her fans. She revealed a new modeling contract with NikeSKIMS, the highly popular collaboration between global icon Kim Kardashian and sportswear giant Nike. The athlete made the announcement in her unique style, posting a fun TikTok video where she danced on the ice to break the news of her partnership.
Nike has since released a polished promotional video featuring Leerdam. In it, the brand applauded her intense training dedication and her status as one of the best speed skaters in the world. On Instagram, the brand posted the video with the caption, "Being one of the best speed skaters in the world requires an intense training regimen. Jutta Leerdam feels comfortable and powerful in her favorite items from NikeSKIMS Drop 2."
An Athlete's Seal of Approval
In the promotional video, Leerdam herself is seen praising the collection for its comfort and performance-enhancing qualities. "I love that I can mix and match the pieces into so many looks," she said. "As a speed skater, this collection really suits my body and compresses me in all the right places. I feel in this collection I've seen so many pieces already that support me in my workouts, but also make me feel very confident and still a bit sexy. So, I really love NikeSKIMS."
With this deal, Leerdam now finds herself in the esteemed company of other top-tier athletes who represent the Kim Kardashian-Nike collaboration, including Serena Williams, Jordan Chiles, and Sha'Carri Richardson.
This partnership announcement coincides with a period of immense success for the SKIMS brand. According to reports from the Los Angeles Business Journal, SKIMS has reached a staggering $5 billion valuation. This milestone follows a new funding round of $225 million, which was led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives. Launched in 2019, the brand is now projecting to bring in more than $1 billion in net sales this year alone.
As her fiancé, Jake Paul, prepares for a high-profile heavyweight fight against Anthony Joshua, Leerdam is undoubtedly holding her own. Her recent gold medal and the prestigious modeling contract clearly demonstrate that she is thriving magnificently in both the sporting and fashion arenas.
