Xandra Velzeboer and Kim Gilli proved they are currently untouchable at the top of women’s Short Track Speed Skating, as the 2026 ISU CNSG World Championships came to a close in Montreal on Sunday. 

Twenty-four hours after they split the titles on day one, the duo were back at it, wowing a sold-out crowd at Maurice Richard Arena once more. 

First, they went head-to-head, with Gilli getting the better of her Dutch rival to add 1500m gold to the 1500m Olympic title she won just a few weeks ago. 

Kim Gilli celebrates winning 1500m gold Sunday at the ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships in Montreal © ISU

But if Gilli is currently out on her own in the distance discipline, there is no doubt who the speed queen is. The 500m Olympic champion, world-record holder and now winner of four of the past five 500m world titles, Velzeboer is untouchable in the sprint. 

The pair head home having neatly shared the four women’s gold medals between them, with only Mixed Relay gold eluding them. 

‘It gives me wings'

Velzeboer dominated the 500m to such an extent that even the silver medalist felt like she was racing for second. 

“I was really happy to stay as close as possible (to Velzeboer) and for me silver was the best possible today,” Selma Poutsma said, after sealing her best individual result at a World Championships.
 

The Netherlands' Selma Poutsma took the early lead over Xandra Velzeboer in the 500m final before settling for silver on Sunday © ISU

The Dutch skater, known for her quick starts, did lead her storied teammate for the first couple of laps, but she always felt it was going to be short-lived. 

“I thought that I should use my strength, which is the start, and see how far I could get, but she has such a high top speed and endurance so I knew she was coming,” Poutsma said.

She also acknowledged Velzeboer’s excellence does have some benefits. 

“It’s sort of stressful, but it also gives me wings maybe, because I like the pressure of someone behind me that is so fast it makes me go fast also. Maybe that’s the reason why when we are together in a race I usually have my fastest starts ever.” 

After missing the 2024/25 season with injury, the silver medal gives the 26-year-old a huge boost at the start of a new Olympic cycle. 

Italy’s bronze medalist, Chiara Betti, shares that feeling. The 24-year-old took her first major individual medal after two relay medals at her home Olympic Games. 

Chiara Betti reacts to her 500m bronze medal at the ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships in Montreal on Sunday © ISU

But both youngsters will have to find something special in the off-season if they are to truly challenge Velzeboer, who left Montreal with gold in the 500m and 3000m Relay and silver in the 1000m and 1500m.

“It’s been a really great season, especially with the Olympics, the most important moment. To be able to win there twice was incredible,” said Velzeboer. “This whole season was preparing for that, but then to be able here to also win two gold medals and two silvers is a great finish to the season.” 

‘I feel twice as happy’

Kim felt the same way after the 1500m final, where she proved there is little she cannot do on a Short Track oval. 

Twenty-four hours after pulling off an audacious last-corner overtake to snatch 1000m gold, the Korean showed off her versatility by jumping to the front with more than a quarter of the race to run, and powering off into the distance.

Kim Gilli leads Xandra Velzeboer in the 1500m final at the ISU CNSG Short Track World Championships in Montreal on Sunday © ISU

Velzeboer, who had suffered the agony of that last-second overtake in the 1000m, was once again second to Gilli. 

“I tried to work out if it was better to race at the back or the front, and during the race I decided it was better at the front today,” Kim said. “I’m happy doing both. I felt so confident and strong the last few laps. I’m also very grateful and happy to win two individual gold medals for the first time. I feel twice as happy.” 

With Velzeboer, you get the impression she will target improvements in the 1500m. 

“We showed such a great level and that makes the races really exciting for us and the spectators as well,” she said. “I got a lot of confidence after the (Olympic) Games for the 1500m, where I couldn’t unfortunately finish in the final, but that made me eager for this one.”

The USA’s Corinne Stoddard took bronze, adding to her Olympic bronze last month.

Corinne Stoddard of the USA took 1500m bronze on Sunday, matching her performance at the Olympic Games in Milan © ISU

One skater both champions will undoubtedly miss when they do return to action is Canadian legend, Kim Boutin. The six-time Olympic medallist and three-time world champion retired from competition, with an emotional goodbye on Sunday in front of fans, family and her appreciative peers. 

“I feel so much love from the stands, so I feel happy about that. I think I give a big legacy for Canada and Short Track,” a teary Boutin said. “I did it for love of the sport and I feel like now I am going to enjoy the rest.”