2026 Olympic Speed Skating Women's Team Pursuit Preview & Prediction
Updated February 13, 2026
Updated February 13, 2026
The women’s team pursuit speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan‑Cortina should be an interesting part of the speed skating program. With quarterfinals and semifinals scheduled before the finals on February 17, elite squads from around the globe are preparing for a duel over three laps of intense, strategic skating. This discipline rewards not only raw speed but also precision in drafting, seamless exchanges, and efficient pacing. Before this race begins from the Italian ice, you will find my prediction for it right here.
The Dutch women continue to be highly respected internationally, buoyed by a recent gold at the 2025 World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships in this exact discipline. At that event, the Netherlands delivered a dominant performance with Joy Beune, Antoinette Rijpma‑de Jong, and Marijke Groenewoud combining for victory. Japan and Canada also finished on the podium, showcasing depth and strong coordination, qualities that bode well for Olympic success.
Canada enters the Games as one of the top-ranked squads on the current World Cup circuit. According to the latest World Cup team pursuit standings, Speed Skating Canada holds a lead over several competitors with strong point totals from recent events. Japan trails closely, while the United States sits just behind. Host Italy’s squad has struggled to make major marks in 2025 and early 2026 World Cup meets, leaving the home crowd longing for a standout result that doesn't look likely to come.
Another critical storyline is the absence of the reigning Olympic champion from the 2022 Winter Olympics, which was Japan’s Miho Takagi, Ayano Sato, and Momoka Horikawa. The Japanese team’s mix of veterans and younger racers brings depth, and they have already proven capable of medalling at major championships in recent seasons.
The scheduling of this event late in the speed skating calendar could also play a role in tactical approaches. Athletes who have competed in individual distances earlier in the Games may bring momentum or fatigue into the team pursuit. Skaters who excel in pacing and seamless exchanges are often the ones who thrive here, and teams with greater bench depth can rotate fresh legs effectively.
Netherlands: Entering Milan‑Cortina as the betting favorite, the Dutch women have world championship form and a deep pool of skaters experienced in team and individual events. Their victory at the 2025 Worlds marked them as the squad to beat, and they boast both raw speed and cohesion at the changeovers.
Canada: Canada’s program has shown consistency across recent World Cups and international meets, earning a top world ranking and delivering a clear team pursuit gold in the World Cup season. Their athletes’ familiarity with one another provides a tactical advantage, and they possess the closing power necessary to challenge for gold or silver.
Japan: Japan has been runner‑up or on the podium frequently in major championships, relying on smooth exchanges and steady lap times. Though slightly behind the Dutch and Canadians in odds, their balance of veterans and emerging talent gives them the ability to remain competitive.
Pick: Netherlands ATS PRO
Confidence: 4 out of 5
While Canada and Japan both offer the potential outperform expectations on any given day, the Dutch team’s combination of speed, international success, and tactical execution makes them the most reliable choice for bettors seeking the outright win. For bettors aiming to maximize return, consider multi‑way bets that include Canada or Japan to place, while making the gold medal prediction with the Dutch squad.
