Viktor Thorup Visited Santa Barbara Breathing Tech Firm

Olympic speed skater Viktor Thorup thanked the team behind the nasal strips he wore during his 2026 silver medal race.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Ice Skating

Viktor Thorup Visited Santa Barbara Breathing Tech Firm

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Danish speed skater Viktor Thorup visited the headquarters of Goleta-based Intake Breathing to thank employees for their role in his Olympic success. Thorup used the company's magnetic nasal bands during his silver medal win at the 2026 Olympics.

Why it matters

Thorup credits the nasal strips with improving his performance during the grueling 6,400-meter race in Italy, where he reached speeds of 35 miles per hour. His visit highlights the growing influence of specialized training technology in competitive endurance sports.

Viktor Thorup utilized Intake Breathing strips to compete in the 6,400-meter race, achieving speeds of 35 miles per hour during the 2026 Olympic event. The skater chose this specific technology after testing 10 different breathing aid brands.

The players

Viktor Thorup

Viktor Thorup is a Danish speed skater who secured a silver medal in the men's mass start event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Intake Breathing

Intake Breathing is a Santa Barbara-based company that manufactures magnetic nasal bands designed to physically open nasal passages.

Jim Castillo

Jim Castillo is the founder of Intake Breathing who created the company's magnetic nasal band technology.

The details

Viktor Thorup met with the staff and founders of Intake Breathing, a company that formed in 2019 after inventor Jim Castillo adapted magnetic technology from motocross and ski goggles. The skater participated in a meet and greet at a local ice rink to acknowledge the team before starting a travel schedule that includes competitions in nine countries.

Intake Breathing formed in Santa Barbara in 2019.
Viktor Thorup won an Olympic silver medal in February 2026.
Viktor Thorup visited the Goleta ice rink on September 29, 2026.
Thorup competes in nine countries from October to December 2026.
Thorup plans to compete in the 2030 Olympics in France.

Season Trajectory

The partnership with Intake Breathing follows a broader trend of Olympic athletes integrating specialized recovery and performance gear into their training regimens. This collaboration positions Thorup to refine his competitive strategy as he prepares for the 2030 Winter Games.

Thorup will now undergo a demanding schedule, competing in nine different countries between October and December 2026. This rigorous travel period serves as his primary preparation phase leading up to the 2030 Olympic Games in France.

The takeaway

Thorup plans to wear the nasal strips throughout his training over the next four years to build consistency. His goal is to improve upon his previous Olympic performance and secure a gold medal in 2030.