Speed Skating Discussion | Qualification to Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026

[copravolley 635]

17 minutes ago, SalamAkhi said:

Overall yes, but a clear lack of golds. Good success nonetheless without over-focusing on some big ROI sports.

In my opinion, Italy will have a problem to even win the 17 medals: 2022 form Beijing. In my opinion, we're incapable of playing at home, and there's no point in trying. France knows how to do it, as Paris showed. We don't have a plan, just improvisation, and maybe someone like Giacomel will emerge. Most of the stars, however, are well over 30, and they've achieved success even without the Olympics.

 

Edited January 9 by copravolley

[copravolley 635]

I'll remind you that a year ago, on the same track- probably much slower one- Lollobrigida skated 3 seconds faster, than today. She's simply out of form, that's all. But that's what happens when you count on one person in all of women's speed skating for 8 years... One injures and you have zero medal chances out of 3.

[Monzanator 5,093]

Żurek seems to be in OK form (only 0.13 off Stolz's TR). Speed skating might be our biggest chance for OG medals. 1960 vibes...

 

 

[SalamAkhi 359]

 Due Schmidt reached an Olympic Q time in SLC at the end of the qualifying window. 6'29''76 for 6'30 in the 5000. This means he can honor his place in the MS. Denmark will have 2 skaters.

[clemsonbeav 540]

Any way of knowing (like with FIS's website) if any quotas have been rejected?   is first in line for a W 3000m spot if someone rejects, so was wanting to know if anyone had.

[Micki 67]

5 minutes ago, clemsonbeav said:

Any way of knowing (like with FIS's website) if any quotas have been rejected?   is first in line for a W 3000m spot if someone rejects, so was wanting to know if anyone had.

No, I don’t think the other organizations have the same overview as the FIS. I’m also still hoping for Thibault Métraux over 5000 m in the men’s event — he is currently in the second reserve position.

[Micki 67]

The Swiss Team for Milano Cortina

 

Speed Skating 3 (1M, 2W)

1000m W: Kaitlyn McGregor

1500m W: Kaitlyn McGregor

3000m W: Kaitlyn McGregor

Massstart W: Kaitlyn McGregor, Ramona Härdi

Massstart M: Livio Wenger (WCH 2024 – 🥉)

[Jan Linha 632]

I am starting to have a feeling about Metoděj Jílek that he may aim for more 2 medals in Cortina. 😁😁😁

 

Yesterday 5th in WC 1.500m, just 0,26s off the podium. Additionally, hey may apply a different strategy in Mass Start. I think this is going to be interesting..... 

[Agger 1,841]

On 1/19/2026 at 3:17 PM, SalamAkhi said:

 Due Schmidt reached an Olympic Q time in SLC at the end of the qualifying window. 6'29''76 for 6'30 in the 5000. This means he can honor his place in the MS. Denmark will have 2 skaters.

Aaaand he's out again  

Apparently ISU has to cut some athletes due to too the quota limits

[Jan Linha 632]

I am thinking whether Jílek shouldn't have kept this strategy secret till the Olympic race