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When speed skater Courtney Saro strides across the ice at lightning speed, her mind slows to a calm state.
For the Olympian, speed skating is “the only place in the world where nothing else exists.”
“It’s like working in perfect harmony,” said the 25-year-old from Moncton.
This mind-body connection led Saro to her first Crystal Globe success at the 2025 ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Tour after she won silver in the 1500m final, making her the first Canadian woman to do so.
The 25-year-old short track world title holder reflects on her recent Crystal Globe win at the 2025 ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Tour and her team's success at Milan Cortina 2026.
On the men's side, Sherbrooke, Quebec native William Danginou captured his second straight world title and Team Canada won their third Crystal Globe in the team event.
“It’s incredible… I don’t think many countries will be able to do this,” Saro said. “So it just shows how strong Canada is.”
Saro is expected to be named to Canada's Olympic team later this month for its second Winter Games at Milan Cortina 2026.
2nd place at the Games
Sarah competed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games where she finished 11th in the women's 1000m and 1500m, 4th in the women's 3000m relay and 6th in the women's 2000m medley relay.
With one Olympics under her belt, albeit a pandemic one, Sarah says she will be in better control of the situation this time with her coach Marc Gagnon.
“I think what I'm most excited about is that it's not the COVID-19 Olympics. It's just the crowd and the energy… I think some people don't like it and it might get into their head, but I actually feel like I'm feeding off of it,” she said.
Moncton's Courtney Saro and Montreal's William Danjinou received Crystal Globes after being crowned overall World Tour Short Track champions.
At Milan Cortina 2026, Saro's family plans to cheer her on from the crowd, including her father, former professional hockey player drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, Yves Saro.
“Having a father who achieved what he wanted, followed his dreams and was successful in the world of sports, I felt like maybe my dreams were closer than I thought,” she said.
“They are so proud of me and just want me to have fun.”
After suffering a concussion and other physical recovery issues in 2024, Saro's success came during what could be called her “comeback season.”
Despite the setbacks, Sarah considers her injuries a blessing in disguise.
“I feel like those tough years of my life actually pushed me into an even stronger version of myself and someone who could do anything no matter what was going on,” she said. “I feel mentally much stronger.”
“I think I'm just excited to experience that Olympic magic. Everyone's talking about what we missed [in Beijing]”
“And hopefully we’ll bring some equipment home.”
