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Friday’s short track competition at the Cortina Olympics in Milan was defined by dramatic moments, culminating in a historic breakthrough.
Team USA’s Corinne Stoddard earned a podium finish and became the first American woman to medal in the event in 16 years.
Stoddard, who entered the Games ranked second in the world in the short track, took bronze in the 1,500 meters after overcoming a series of early setbacks. On his first day on the ice in Milan, the 24-year-old slipped three times.
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Corinne Stoddard of the United States celebrates after winning bronze in the short track speed skating women’s 1500 meters at the Milan Ice Skating Arena during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on February 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Stoddard regained his form and appeared to have little trouble skating through the preliminary rounds to reach the final. When the race began on Friday, she held the lead for large parts of the event before South Korea’s Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong overtook her.
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Kim and Choi won gold and silver respectively in the race. Stoddard credited her team with helping her after the early stumbles.
Corinne th of the United States reacts after competing in the short track speed skating women’s 1500 meters at the Milan Ice Skating Arena during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics February 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
“I think after the 1000m I pretty much spent the whole day crying in bed,” she said. “I basically came from the depths of hell to get here and I couldn’t have done it without my team and my staff and my coaches, everybody, just picked me up and [giving] gave me the confidence that I could skate the way I know how to after so many horrible races.
Bronze medalist Corinne Stoddard of the United States celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women’s 1500 meters short speed skating at the Milan Ice Skating Arena during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics February 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
“Today was just to prove to myself that I can skate under Olympic pressure and to prove to myself that I’m still me. And I did. And I feel like it’s a great way to end such a terrible Olympics.”
With his bronze Friday, Stoddard earned his first Olympic medal. The victory also snapped a seven-year medal drought for American short track speed skaters.
