3,000 metres Relay, Women

With six wins in the previous nine editions, Republic of Korea (South) was again a contender for the medals in Milano-Cortina. But the Koreans had last won an international title at the 2022 World Championships, although they’d also won one of four relays at the 2025/26 World Tour. Defending champions Netherlands had won the two most recent World Tours, and were also World Champions in 2023 and 2024, featuring two-time gold medalist Xandra Velzeboer. Defending World Champions and winner of the remaining World Tour were Canada, with Courtney Sarault as the strongest rider.

The Netherlands had a relatively easy ride in the first semi-final, finishing ahead of Italy to qualify. The second semi-final saw a more heated battle, with Korea edging out Canada and China, although Canada had required an impressive last ditch effort from Sarault to pass the Chinese. In the final, Canada led the way at the halfway point, as Michelle Velzeboer (Xandra’s sister) slipped and fell. Although she was quickly touched by a teammate, the other three teams fired up the pace to prevent the defending champion from returning to the race. With slightly over four laps to go, Florence Brunelle made a slight stumble, allowing Italy’s Elisa Confortola to pass on the inside. Choi Min-Jeong then also passed Canada and closed in on Italy. The final exchange to Kim Gil-Ri was excellent, bringing her close to Fontana, and Kim passed Fontana on the next straight. Positions did not change in the final laps, giving Korea its seventh relay gold.

The Korean title made Choi also the most successful female Olympic short-track skater (by medal color), with four golds and two silvers (she would earn a silver in the 1,500 m later in the Games), and the most decorated female South Korean Olympian, second only behind archer Kim Wu-Jin. The Italians celebrated their silver together with a sixth teammate, Martina Valcepina. She had suffered a leg fracture after a severe fall at the European Championships in January, thwarting her chances of participating in Milano-Cortina, although she had been present as one of the Olympic Flag bearers at the opening ceremony.