New Brunswick Speed Skaters Shine at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics

The 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics are showcasing the rising talent of New Brunswick’s short track speed skaters, a remarkable feat for a province historically overshadowed in the sport by Quebec. Courtney Sarault, Rikki Doak, and Brendan Corey are representing the province on the world stage, inspiring a new generation of athletes and proving that success isn’t limited by geography.

From Humble Beginnings to Olympic Glory

The success of these athletes traces back to a dedicated high-performance program initiated in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Derrick MacLeod, provincial coach and technical director for Speed Skating NB, spearheaded the program with a focus on creating a supportive training environment. Initially, the goal was modest: to produce a single Canada Games medallist. Though, the program’s impact has far exceeded expectations.

Courtney Sarault: A Trailblazer for New Brunswick

Moncton’s Courtney Sarault is making history at the Milano-Cortina Games. She became the first Canadian athlete from outside Quebec to win an individual short track speed skating medal, securing a bronze in the women’s 500 metres with a time of 42.427 seconds.¹ Sarault followed up this achievement with a silver medal in the women’s 1,000m, finishing in 1:28.523 – a significant improvement from her 11th-place finish in the same event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. ¹ She as well earned a silver medal in the mixed team relay event.¹

Sarault’s journey exemplifies dedication and perseverance. She consistently travelled three hours round trip from Moncton to Fredericton five days a week to train with the province’s best.¹

Rikki Doak and Brendan Corey: Rising Stars

Alongside Sarault, Rikki Doak of Fredericton is competing for Canada, participating in the women’s relay and potentially the mixed relay events and 500 metres.¹ Doak has demonstrated consistent improvement and growing confidence.¹

Brendan Corey, also from Fredericton, is competing with the Australian short track team.¹ MacLeod highlighted Corey’s toughness and coachability as key attributes.

A Growing Legacy

The success of Sarault, Doak, and Corey is inspiring a new wave of young skaters in New Brunswick. Courtney Charlong, who won gold in the 500m and bronze in the 1,000m at the world junior short track championships, represents the province’s growing depth of talent.¹

New Brunswick boasts three Olympic-sized ice surfaces, seven speed skating clubs, and approximately 600 skaters, coaches, and officials.¹

The “New Brunswick Style”

Derrick MacLeod notes that New Brunswick skaters are known for their grit and willingness to take risks, a style that has caught the attention of coaches from Quebec.¹ This “N.B. Style” involves aggressive racing and a determination to push to the front.

Looking Ahead

While the current high-performance program is on hiatus, MacLeod anticipates its return with another group of dedicated skaters. Registration numbers have doubled in recent years, indicating a growing interest in the sport. The success of Sarault, Doak, and Corey has paved the way for future generations of New Brunswick speed skaters to pursue their Olympic dreams.¹