Table of Contents
The excitement is building as the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, set to take place in the scenic northern region of Italy. This weekend marks the beginning of a crucial series of events, as the World Tour for short track speed skating kicks off at the renowned Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal.
The World Tour, formerly known as the World Cup, consists of elite competitions featuring the top short track skaters worldwide. This year, the tour has been streamlined to four stops to accommodate the upcoming Olympics. Following the Montreal events, the tour will proceed to Poland, then the Netherlands, before culminating in the world championships back in Montreal in March.
Structure of the World Tour
The initial days of each World Tour event focus on qualifying rounds, leading to medal competitions over the weekend. Athletes will compete in three individual distances for both men and women: the 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m races. Additionally, there are three relay events: the men’s 5,000m, women’s 3,000m, and the mixed 2,000m relay.
Throughout the season, athletes will accumulate points based on their performances. The prestigious Crystal Globe trophy is awarded to the top skater in each distance and the overall champion. A team Crystal Globe is also awarded to the nation that garners the most points during the season. Given the significance of this Olympic year, the results from the World Tour will play a vital role in determining how many spots each country secures for the Games and which athletes will fill those slots.
Canada’s success in short track speed skating
Reflecting on the 2022 Olympics held in Beijing, Canadian short track skaters made a remarkable impact by securing four medals. They trailed South Korea, which took home five medals, while tying with host nation China, the Netherlands, and Italy. Notably, Steven Dubois contributed significantly to Canada’s success, earning silver in the men’s 1,500m and bronze in the 500m, alongside playing a crucial role in the men’s relay team that clinched gold in the final race of accomplished veteran Charles Hamelin.
On the women’s side, Kim Boutin shone brightly, winning a bronze medal in the 500m, adding to her impressive tally of Olympic medals.
Expectations for the upcoming Olympics
Looking ahead to the Winter Olympics in Milan, Canada’s short track team appears poised to surpass their previous medal haul. The potential to break the record of six medals from the 2002 Salt Lake City Games seems promising, due to the current dominance of Canadian skaters in the short track arena.
Exceptional performance on the World Tour
The previous World Tour saw Canadian competitors clinching a stunning 37 medals, including 21 golds. This exceptional performance solidified Canada’s position as the top team on the tour, demonstrating their superiority over teams like the Dutch Lions and Italy’s Gladiators.
At the world championships held in Beijing, Canadian athletes achieved an impressive feat by winning six out of nine events, securing a total of 10 medals. No other country managed to claim more than four medals. Leading the charge was Dubois, who captured four golds, excelling in both individual men’s events and contributing to relay victories.
Rising stars making waves
Another standout athlete, Will Dandjinou, emerged as a major force in the sport. At 23 years old and towering at six-foot-three, he skillfully combined strength and strategy to dominate the World Tour, winning eight individual races and earning his inaugural overall Crystal Globe title in the 1,000m and 1,500m events. Dandjinou also played an integral role in securing the men’s relay title and placed second in the 500m standings.
The World Tour, formerly known as the World Cup, consists of elite competitions featuring the top short track skaters worldwide. This year, the tour has been streamlined to four stops to accommodate the upcoming Olympics. Following the Montreal events, the tour will proceed to Poland, then the Netherlands, before culminating in the world championships back in Montreal in March.0