Kamila Sellier: A Rising Star in Short Track Speed Skating
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics witnessed a thrilling competition in women’s 1000m short track speed skating, culminating in a victory for Xandra Velzeboer. While the Polish team faced challenges, the games showcased incredible athleticism and fierce competition. This article delves into the key events, highlighting the performances of Polish athletes and the captivating final race.
Monday’s Action: 1000m Women & 500m Men Qualifiers
Monday at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics featured the medal event for women’s 1000m short track and the qualifying rounds for men’s 500m. A total of three Polish athletes participated, hoping to make their mark on the international stage.
Polish Performances in the 1000m Women’s Race
Gabriela Topolska was the first Polish athlete to compete, entering the quarter-finals alongside formidable opponents like Arianna Fontana, Kim Boutin, Choi Minjeong, and Chiara Betti. Despite a valiant effort, Topolska faced a difficult race. A collision with Chiara Betti disrupted her momentum, causing her to fall behind. Unfortunately, the incident wasn’t reviewed by the judges, and she finished last in her heat, ending her competition.
Mixed Results in the Men’s 500m Qualifiers
Felix Pigeon and Michał Niewiński represented Poland in the men’s 500m qualifying rounds. Pigeon delivered a strong performance, securing a direct advancement to the quarter-finals by maintaining a solid second-place position. Niewiński, however, faced a tougher challenge, finishing third in his heat with a competitive time. Despite his efforts, numerous falls in other heats led to athletes with slower times advancing, unfortunately eliminating Niewiński from contention.
Pigeon’s quarter-final race is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:15 PM, with subsequent rounds leading to the medal event.
The Thrilling Women’s 1000m Final
The women’s competition continued with a captivating final featuring Xandra Velzeboer, Li Gong, Courtney Sarault, and Arianna Fontana. Kim Gilli of South Korea was added to the lineup following a judges’ decision.
Courtney Sarault took the early lead, with Arianna Fontana closely pursuing. However, Xandra Velzeboer skillfully overtook Fontana, and a subsequent mistake by the Italian skater relegated her to the back of the pack. Velzeboer maintained her lead for the final three laps, successfully defending against Sarault’s attempts to catch up. Kim Gilli secured the bronze medal, while Fontana finished fourth.
Men’s 5000m Relay Semi-Finals
The men’s 5000m relay semi-finals also took place, with Canada and Italy emerging victorious in the first heat, earning them a spot in the medal race. The second semi-final was incredibly close, with all four teams crossing the finish line almost simultaneously. South Korea and the Netherlands secured the remaining spots in the final.
The medal event for the men’s 5000m relay is scheduled for Friday evening.
Results of the Women’s 1000m Final
- Xandra Velzeboer (Netherlands)
- Courtney Sarault (Canada)
- Kim Gilli (South Korea)
- Arianna Fontana (Italy)
- Li Gong (China)
Watch the Winter Olympics live on Eurosport, available through WP Pilot [Sponsored Link]
Keep an eye on rising stars like Kamila Sellier as the Winter Olympics continue to deliver thrilling moments and showcase the incredible talent of athletes from around the globe. The future of short track speed skating looks bright!
