Angela Stahnke-Hauck

Angela Stahnke, born in East Berlin, became the last speed skating World Champion from the German Democratic Republic, when she won the 1990 World Sprint Championships. Before this win, Stahnke had to be satisfied with international wins in junior tournaments. She won three World Junior Championships from 1982-84, after finishing fifth in 1981 at age 15. Her move to the seniors seemed successful as she won the silver at the 1985 World Sprint Championships. In the following years, Stahnke remained with the world top in sprinting, but was usually outclassed by her compatriots Karin Enke-Kania and Christa Rothenburger. In 1988, after finishing fourth in the Olympic 500 m and sixth in the 1000 m, she married a player from the East German national handball team, Stephan Hauck. Under her new name, she fought for a medal position at the 1989 World Sprint Championships, but fell on the final distance. After her 1990 world title, she had more bad luck at the 1991 World Sprints, as she had to withdraw due to an injury, while being placed in the top.

Due to lasting injuries, Hauck-Stahnke ended her career in 1993, but made a comeback in the 1993/1994 season, finishing second in the World Sprint Championships and taking part in her third Olympics. After the season, she retired from speed skating for good. Hauck won a total of 15 World Cup races, and won the 500 m World Cup in 1990, and the 1000 m in 1989 and 1990, making 1990 the most successful year of her career. She also won five (East) German titles in sprint and single distances, and set two junior World Records.

Personal Bests: 500 – 39.65 (1994); 1000 – 1:19.29 (1994); 1500 – 2:06.45 (1990); 3000 – 4:40.80 (1985).