2026 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships: Canada and Netherlands Aim for Dominance in Montreal

MONTREAL, March 13 – The 2026 ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships commenced today at the Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, Canada, marking the close of the season. Host nation Canada, along with the Netherlands, are poised to conclude their successful campaigns with strong performances on home ice.

Canadian and Dutch Strengths

Canada’s Courtney Sarault and William Dandjinou entered the championships as the ISU Crystal Globe winners for the season. However, the Netherlands demonstrated significant strength at the recent Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, with Xandra Velzeboer and Jens van’t Wout each securing two individual gold medals, contributing to a total of five gold medals for the Dutch team. Canada achieved one gold medal at the Olympics, with Dandjinou earning a silver in the men’s 1,500m, and also secured podium finishes in the women’s and mixed relays.

China’s Young Squad

China has fielded a younger team for this competition. Notable Olympic medalists Lin Xiaojun, Liu Shaoang, and Sun Long are absent. The men’s team features 19-year-old Zhang Bohao, the only skater with prior Olympic experience, who advanced in the 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m events. Li Kun progressed in the 1,000m but entered the 500m repechage, while Song Guixu competed in the 1,500m repechage.

Chinese Women’s Team

The Chinese women’s team largely retained its Milan-Cortina lineup, with Wang Ye replacing veteran Fan Kexin. Wang Xinyan, Wang Ye, and Zhang Chutong all advanced in the 500m event. Gong Li and Zhang progressed in the 1,000m, and Gong and Yang Jingru reached the semifinals of the 1,500m.

Relay Performances

In the relay events, China’s men’s team finished first in the 5,000m quarterfinal, securing a semifinal matchup against South Korea, the United States, and Kazakhstan. The women’s team placed second behind the Netherlands in the 3,000m quarterfinal, and the mixed relay squad also advanced to the semifinal as the group runner-up.

Saturday’s Schedule

Saturday’s finals will determine the medalists in the men’s 500m and 1,500m, the women’s 1,000m, and the women’s 3,000m relay. Full schedule and results can be found on the ISU website.

More information about the championships is available on Wikipedia.