Ane Farstad: From Olympic Speed Skater to Successful Businesswoman
Ane Farstad once had aspirations of competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, but she took a valiant decision to walk away from speed skating. Today, she is the co-founder of Caspara, a burgeoning fashion brand she runs alongside her brother Odin Farstad.
Her path from right to elite athlete to entrepreneur is one of ambition, resilience and transformation.
Athlete to Business: A Speed Skating Champion
Ane Farstad began skating at eight and blazed her way to the top. At the World and European Championships she and her brother Odin won bronze medals in Team Sprint. With talent and dedication, they were well on their way to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
But the demands of professional skating and running Caspara their clothing brand, founded in 2023 began to take their toll. Between demanding training schedules that involved frequent travel between Canada and the Netherlands, they hit a crossroads.
Like Ice Hockey Before it, Skating has to Go Business
Ane opens up about the very painful decision to quit speed skating in an interview with Norwegian outlet 730:
“By the end of the season, we were just burnt out. It seemed impossible to stick with skating and run the company. On Dec. 24, I was still fielding emails. It was clear that we had to decide — Caspara or skating. And we chose Caspara.”
Their decision paid off. Caspara’s revenue stood at an enviable £560,000 in 2023 and it now has eight staff members.
The Challenges of Entrepreneurship
Making the jump from pro athlete to businessman was not without challenges. Ane admitted:
“I was always a skater. Entering into the business world was daunting. I had no fucking clue and I learned more than I ever thought I would.”
Despite all the obstacles, her diligence and work ethic — honed during her years as an athlete — guided her to find her way in the business world.
Building Some sort of a Brand via Social Media
Anne’s exceptional popularity on Instagram (213,000 followers) has helped contribute meaningfully to the growth of Caspara. Where she used to post skating and modeling shots, she’s now focused on her role as an ambassador for Caspara’s designs, often modeling the clothes herself.
What’s Ahead for Ane and Caspara?
Ane and Odin have their sights set on 2025, regarded as ‘expansion year’, with plans to take Caspara international. Their story is a testament to hard work, adaptability and courage — proving that success is achievable, even when life doesn’t go to plan.
Ane Farstad has shown us all that champions can be made anywhere, from the ice rink to the fashion worldIf you re a serial entrepreneur, you inevitably fall in love with the journey and with the hustle.
