Four years ago, a stumble at the Pettit National Ice Center nearly cost Erin Jackson the opportunity to go to the Beijing Olympics and ultimately a speed skating gold medal.

MILWAUKEE -- Erin Jackson won the women's 1,000 meters at the U. S. Olympic trials for long track speedskating by finishing faster than her good friend, world record-holder Brittany Bowe, on Saturday to qualify in that event for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, where she also will defend her gold medal in the 500.