60  Days Until The Winter Olympics: Crucial Short Track Speed Skating Showdown Finalizes Olympic Path in Netherlands

The short track speed skating path to Olympic positioning recently reached its final event at the Optisport Sportboulevard in Dordrecht, Netherlands.  

With the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics looming on the horizon, this wasn’t just a race for medals; it was a desperate scramble for Olympic positioning. Canada left the Netherlands as the undisputed kings and queens of the ice, securing their second consecutive team Crystal Globe. 

The Difference Between Short Track and Long Track Speed Skating 

Short Track and Long Track speed skating are fundamentally different disciplines, despite both being Olympic ice racing sports. The primary distinction lies in the format:

Short Track involves chaotic, head-to-head mass starts on a tight 111.12-meter oval where strategy and aggressive maneuvering are key, necessitating protective helmets and shorter, fixed blades. 

Conversely, Long Track is a disciplined time trial held on a spacious 400-meter oval, where skaters race in separate lanes against the clock, utilizing specialized “clap” blades and aerodynamic suits to maximize speed and power over strategy.

Dandjinou Leads Men’s Field

On the men’s side, the short track spotlight belonged to Montreal’s William Dandjinou. He capped a stellar season by securing the men’s overall Crystal Globe title for the second year in a row. His performance was the anchor for a Canadian team that seems to be peaking at exactly the right moment. The camaraderie was palpable during the trophy presentation, as Dandjinou and his teammates brought photos of injured compatriots Kim Boutin and Maxime Laoun onto the ice, a touching reminder that their victory was a collective effort.

Meanwhile, the Chinese men’s team proved they will be a formidable force in Milan. Despite a mixed bag of results in the individual races, China successfully locked in full Olympic quotas for all nine events. In the 5,000-meter relay, the Chinese squad featuring Liu Shaoang and Lin Xiaojun fought tooth and nail against the home crowd favorites. A sharp inside pass by Lin with two laps to go briefly gave them hope, but they ultimately crossed the line just 0.045 seconds behind the Dutch, settling for silver.

Sarault Overcomes Mental Hurdles to Claim Women’s Title

The women’s competition was defined by a fierce North American rivalry and a battle of nerves. Canadian Courtney Sarault entered the weekend feeling the weight of expectation. Admitting she had been “in her head” prior to the races, Sarault managed to silence her doubts when it mattered most. She executed a brilliant outside pass on reigning world champion Xandra Velzeboer to win the 500m gold, a victory that secured her the overall women’s Crystal Globe.

Sarault’s victory wasn’t just about speed; it was about resilience. After the race, she spoke candidly about wanting to “leave it all on the ice” for her final run of the season. Her 980 total points put her 150 points clear of her closest rival, proving she has the mental fortitude to handle the Olympic pressure cooker. The Dutch fans still had plenty to cheer for, however, as young Zoe Deltrap helped the Dutch Lions secure gold in the 3,000m relay, creating a memory for the ages in front of her family.

United States skaters find silver linings

For the United States, the final World Cup event was a testament to progress and consistency. Corinne Stoddard finished as the runner-up for the Crystal Globe behind Sarault. While she missed out on the overall title, Stoddard remained optimistic, noting that she is feeling more confident performing under pressure—a hurdle she struggled with last season.

Stoddard’s ability to “hawk at the line” in the 1,000m final showed her fighting spirit, even if it wasn’t enough to overtake Sarault for the win. In the team events, the U.S. women also found the podium, taking third place in the 3,000m relay behind the Netherlands and Italy. 

With the finalized Olympic roster yet to be named, Stoddard has firmly established herself as the leader of the American pack heading into February.

Notable performers and quota winners

Note: While many nations secured quota spots for their country, the specific athletes filling those spots will be selected by National Olympic Committees in the coming weeks.

• Canada: Courtney Sarault (Women’s Overall Crystal Globe Winner)
• Canada: William Dandjinou (Men’s Overall Crystal Globe Winner)
• USA: Corinne Stoddard (Women’s Overall Runner-up)
• Netherlands: Xandra Velzeboer (500m Silver)
• Netherlands: Zoe Deltrap (Relay Gold)
• China: Liu Shaoang (1000m Silver)
• China: Sun Long (1500m Bronze)
• France: Berenice Comby (Secured country quota for 3000m relay)