In a dramatic display of speed, stamina, and strategy, South Korea’s Park Ji-woo captivated fans at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, advancing to the women’s mass start speed skating final before ultimately finishing 14th in a fiercely contested medal race. The event, held at the Milan Speed Skating Stadium in Italy, was a rollercoaster for the Korean contingent, marked by moments of hope and heartbreak as the country’s speed skating team finished the Olympics without a medal for the first time since 2002.
Park Ji-woo, representing Gangwon Province Office and making her third Olympic appearance, entered the 2026 Games with high expectations. The 28-year-old skater had previously competed at the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Olympics, but this year’s Games offered a fresh shot at redemption. In Beijing, Park’s hopes were dashed when she fell during the semifinal, missing out on the final. This time, she was determined to rewrite her Olympic story.
The women’s mass start is one of the most grueling and unpredictable events on the speed skating calendar. Sixteen laps around a 400-meter track, with sprint points up for grabs at laps 4, 8, and 12, and a final points bonanza at the finish line—60 points for first, 40 for second, 20 for third, and additional points down to sixth place. The format rewards not only raw speed but also tactical acumen and timing, making every lap a chess match on ice.
Park’s journey to the final began on February 21, 2026 (local time), when she lined up in the second semifinal heat. The stakes were clear: only the top eight from each heat would move on. Park started her race conservatively, hanging back in the pack and conserving precious energy. She didn’t collect any intermediate sprint points in the early laps, a risky move in a race where every point can make the difference. But with three laps to go, she surged to the front, leading the 14th and 15th laps and positioning herself perfectly for the final sprint.
Crossing the line in third place in her heat, Park secured 20 sprint points and punched her ticket to the final. Her time, 8 minutes 44.22 seconds, reflected her measured approach and late-race burst. According to OSEN, "Park Ji-woo finished 3rd in the second semifinal heat with 20 sprint points, securing a spot among the top 8 who advanced to the final." The achievement was especially sweet given her disappointment in Beijing and was a testament to her resilience and tactical growth.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s other hopeful, Lim Ri-won—a first-time Olympian and prospective Korea National Sport University student—found the going much tougher. Competing in the first semifinal heat, Lim struggled to break out of the lower ranks. She finished 10th with a time of 8 minutes 39.27 seconds, failing to collect any sprint points and missing out on the final. As reported by News1, "Lim Ri-won finished 10th in the semifinal and did not advance to the final." Despite the setback, Lim’s Olympic debut was a valuable learning experience, and she’ll surely be one to watch in future competitions.
Park’s impressive semifinal performance was just the latest highlight in a season that had seen her reach new heights. In December 2025, she claimed her first-ever World Cup podium with a bronze medal at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup, boosting her confidence and earning her a 7th-place ranking in the mass start World Cup standings. The momentum seemed to be building at just the right time.
As the clock struck 1:15 AM KST on February 22, the stage was set for the women’s mass start final. Park, carrying the hopes of her nation, once again employed a patient strategy, staying near the back of the pack in the early laps to conserve energy. With two laps remaining, she made her move, swinging wide on the outside and accelerating into 7th position. The crowd roared as she fought to claw her way into medal contention, but the competition was relentless.
In the frenetic final sprint, Park crossed the line 7th, but the unique scoring system of the mass start meant her lack of intermediate sprint points pushed her down to 14th place overall. Her final time was 8 minutes 36.31 seconds. As reported by Yonhap News, "He [Park Ji-woo] finished 14th, crossing the finish line 7th but losing position due to sprint points, with a time of 8 minutes 36.31 seconds, missing the medals." It was a tough pill to swallow for Park and her supporters, especially after such a promising semifinal and a season full of breakthroughs.
The medals went to Marijke Huurnevaart of the Netherlands (gold), Ivani Blondin of Canada (silver), and Mia Manganello of the United States (bronze). Park’s valiant effort, while not enough for the podium, was a testament to her perseverance and competitive spirit. The disappointment was compounded by the historical context: South Korea’s speed skating team left the Olympics empty-handed for the first time in 24 years, a streak dating back to the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.
Reflecting on the race, Park’s approach was both bold and calculated. She had shown in the semifinals that she could time her sprint to perfection, but the final’s relentless pace and the importance of gathering sprint points throughout proved decisive. The mass start’s complex scoring rewards both consistency and explosiveness, and on this night, the balance tipped just out of reach.
For Lim Ri-won, the experience of her first Olympics, though ending in the semifinals, will be invaluable as she continues to develop her career. The future of Korean women’s speed skating is still bright, with new talent rising and veterans like Park Ji-woo setting the standard for resilience and ambition.
As the lights dimmed in Milan and the world turned its attention to the next Olympic cycle, Park Ji-woo’s journey stood as a reminder of the fine margins and fierce competition at the highest level of sport. Though the medals eluded her this time, her determination and grace under pressure earned her respect on the ice and beyond. The Korean speed skating faithful will be watching closely to see what the next chapter holds for Park and her teammates.
With the 2026 Winter Olympics in the books and a new generation waiting in the wings, South Korea’s quest for speed skating glory continues. For now, Park Ji-woo’s Olympic saga remains a story of courage, near-misses, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.