S. Korea reaches women's short track relay final
Members of the South Korean women's 3,000-meter short track speed skating relay team celebrate after winning their semifinal heat at the Winter Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Feb. 14, 2026. Yonhap
MILAN — South Korea has advanced to the final of the women's 3,000-meter relay in short track speed skating at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
The quartet of Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gil-li, Lee So-yeon and Shim Suk-hee won the second heat of the semifinals at Milano Ice Skating Arena, Saturday, ahead of Canada. In the final scheduled for Wednesday, these two countries will be up against the top two finishers from the first semifinal heat, the Netherlands and Italy.
South Korea remained behind Canada in second place with 10 laps remaining in this 27-lap competition before Choi made a pass on the inside to put her team in the lead. Lee lost that position with six laps remaining, but Shim held her ground before pushing Choi into the lead over the final stretch. Kim then anchored South Korea to first place.
South Korea has won six gold medals and one silver medal in eight 3,000m relay finals so far.
"Honestly, I felt a little too nervous in my earlier races, and my body felt heavy. But I've been getting better and better," Choi said. "I think I am becoming more comfortable as time goes by. I am ready to put on a strong performance in the final."
Kim thanked her teammates for having her back, noting their strong on-ice chemistry.
Shim said the teammates' trust in one another was the driving force.
"We all have different body types, and we are in different age groups, but we've all come together as one," the three-time Olympian and two-time relay champion said. "We will try to maintain that level of trust in the final."