The countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy is underway, with the short track speed skating World Tour kicking off in Montreal’s Maurice Richard Arena this weekend. This global competition series, previously known as the World Cup, features the world’s top short track skaters competing in three individual distances (500m, 1,000m, 1,500m) and three relay events. The tour has been shortened to four stops this season to accommodate the Olympics, with Montreal hosting the first two events followed by Poland and the Netherlands.
Athletes earn points throughout the season, vying for the Crystal Globe trophy awarded to the top skater in each distance and the overall champion. Additionally, a team Crystal Globe is presented to the country with the highest points. This year’s World Tour will also determine the number of entries each country receives for the 2026 Olympics.
In the previous Winter Olympics, Canadian short track skaters secured four medals, with standout performances from Steven Dubois and Kim Boutin. With Canada currently dominating the world of short track speed skating, expectations are high for a strong showing in Milan this February.
Last season, Canadian skaters shone on the World Tour, winning a total of 37 medals, including 21 golds, securing the team Crystal Globe. At the world championships in Beijing, Canadians claimed six gold medals out of nine events, with Steven Dubois and Will Dandjinou leading the charge. Dandjinou, in particular, emerged as a standout, showcasing his prowess on the ice and securing multiple victories.
As the short track speed skating season heats up, all eyes are on Canada’s talented skaters as they aim to surpass their previous Olympic medal count and continue their winning streak on the global stage.