"Skate the World": Austrian Achieves Something Unique
Austrian Matthias Stelzmüller is the first person to skate on all seven continents.
After seven continents and 85 countries, Matthias Stelzmüller reached his goal in Sydney in October 2026.
As part of his "Skate the World - 7 Continents" project, the Austrian became the first person to inline skate on all seven continents.
"When I started exploring the world on skates, I couldn't have imagined where this idea would take me," says the former short track professional.
His View of the World Has "Fundamentally Changed"
His journey took him across the streets of Miami and Las Vegas, through Asian megacities like Manila and Hanoi, across South America and Africa, and into the icy expanses of Antarctica with snowskates.
"Today, I look back on countless countries, encounters, and experiences that have fundamentally changed my life and my view of the world. The seven continents are an incredible milestone, but the truly valuable part is everything that happened on this journey," Stelzmüller reflects.
Support for Children and Young People in the Philippines
The 16-time short track national champion also launched the "Skate the World Foundation" as part of the project.
In the Philippines, the initiative, together with local partners, supports children and young people through sports, education, and community.
What began with encounters within the local skating community and donated inline skates developed into a long-term collaboration with schools, coaches, and local institutions.
"The Journey Is Far From Over"
Especially the encounters away from the tourist hotspots shaped the Austrian's journey.
"Sometimes it only takes a single encounter to change a conviction you've carried your whole life. That's exactly what makes traveling so valuable to me," Stelzmüller says.
Although the project is over, Stelzmüller wants to continue his mission: "I have reached my goal of skating on all seven continents. The more of this world I discover, the more I realize how much there is still to see, understand, and learn. The journey is far from over."
