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The countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy has officially begun, with less than four months remaining until the event. As athletes prepare for the prestigious competition, one key preliminary event will take place in Canada this weekend.
This marks the start of the short track speed skating World Tour at the renowned Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal.
This World Tour, previously known as the World Cup, consists of a series of high-stakes contests featuring the world’s elite short track skaters.
While the typical season includes six events, this year it has been condensed to four to accommodate the upcoming Olympics. Following the Montreal events, the tour will move to Poland and the Netherlands, culminating in the World Championships back in Montreal in March.
Structure of the World Tour
The initial two days of each World Tour stop are dedicated to qualifying rounds that determine the athletes who will compete for medals over the weekend. Both men and women will race in three individual distances: the 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m.
Additionally, there are three relay events: the men’s 5,000m, women’s 3,000m, and a mixed 2,000m relay. Throughout the season, athletes accumulate points, and at the end, the top skater in each distance, as well as the overall champion, will be awarded the prestigious Crystal Globe.
The country that earns the most points will also receive a team Crystal Globe.
Given that this is an Olympic year, the standings from the World Tour will play a crucial role in determining the number of spots each nation will have at the Olympics and which athletes will fill those slots.
Canada’s short track success
At the last Winter Olympics in Beijing, Canadian athletes excelled in short track events, securing four medals in total. They finished just behind South Korea, which earned five medals, while tying with host nation China, as well as Italy and the Netherlands. Steven Dubois was a standout, bringing home three medals: a silver in the men’s 1,500m, a bronze in the 500m, and a gold in the men’s relay during the final Olympic performance of the legendary Charles Hamelin. On the women’s side, Kim Boutin added to her medal tally with a bronze in the 500m.
With the upcoming Olympics in Milan, Canada’s short track skaters are expected to exceed their previous medal count of four. There is a strong chance they will break their national record of six medals, achieved during the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.
Current dominance in short track
This confidence stems from Canada’s current dominance in short track speed skating. The previous World Tour season showcased this prowess, as Canadian skaters amassed an impressive total of 37 medals, including 21 golds, across the six events. This remarkable achievement led to a decisive victory in the team Crystal Globe competition over the Netherlands and Italy.
Additionally, during the world championships held in Beijing, Canadian competitors captured six out of nine available gold medals and a total of ten medals overall. No other country managed to secure more than four medals or multiple golds, underscoring Canada’s superiority. Leading the charge was Dubois, who clinched four gold medals, triumphing in both the individual men’s 500m and 1,000m events while also contributing to victories in the men’s and mixed relays.
Emerging stars
Although Dubois garnered significant attention, Will Dandjinou made headlines as he emerged as the world’s premier short track skater last season. Standing at six-foot-three, Dandjinou is notably tall for a short tracker, skillfully combining his physical strength and strategic intelligence to dominate the World Tour. He won an impressive eight individual races and secured his first overall Crystal Globe.
Having missed the cut for the 2022 Olympics, Dandjinou is poised to make a significant impact this winter in Italy. His journey to the top and the contributions of the Canadian team to the World Tour are worth following as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
