British speed skater Ellia Smeding has relocated her training base from the Netherlands to Calgary, Canada, aiming to regain her form ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Team GB, United Kingdom
Ellia Smeding, who represented Great Britain at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics as the first female speed skater for the country in 40 years, sought a fresh start by moving to Calgary to train under coach Bart Schouten. This change follows a challenging season marked by a hip injury and her partner Cornelius Kersten’s crash during training, both of which impacted their performance and required new approaches.
The move to Calgary has offered Smeding a new environment, including mountainous terrain and a different training atmosphere, which she described as rejuvenating both physically and mentally. She emphasized that being surrounded by nature and stepping outside her previous routines helped restore her energy and brought renewed motivation as she prepares for the upcoming Olympic Games.
With her place secured for a second Olympic appearance, Smeding is focusing on translating these positive changes into competitive results at Milano Cortina 2026. She expressed enthusiasm for experiencing the Games with spectators present and having friends and family in attendance, contrasting with her debut at the Beijing Games, which were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smeding is scheduled to compete in the women’s 1,000m speed skating event on February 9, 2026, where she hopes to demonstrate the benefits of her recent training adjustments and regained form.
