In the high-speed, high-stakes world of Winter Olympic short track speed skating, rivalries are often fierce and friendships rare. But Kristen Santos-Griswold and Corinne Stoddard are rewriting that narrative. The two American stars have forged a unique bond that transcends competition, creating a partnership that pushes both of them to be better — on and off the ice.
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For Santos-Griswold, the veteran leader of Team USA, and Stoddard, one of the brightest young talents in the sport, their relationship has become a cornerstone of the American program as it builds toward the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026. They train together and compete side by side. In a sport that can be as unpredictable as it is unforgiving, they also lean on one another for support.
Winter Olympic Hopefuls: Santos-Griswold and Stoddard Lead U.S. Short Track’s Charge
Kristen Santos-Griswold has been the face of U.S. short track for several seasons. She rose from a promising junior to a consistent World Cup contender. Her breakthrough came in the years leading up to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, when she cemented herself as one of the fastest and most technically skilled skaters in the world. Despite crashes and heartbreak that kept her off the Olympic podium, she returned stronger. Since then, she has collected medals on the World Cup circuit and proven she can challenge the powerhouse teams from South Korea, China, and Canada.
Corinne Stoddard represents the next wave of American short track. Younger and still developing her racecraft, she has quickly become a reliable presence on the relay teams and a podium threat in individual events. Stoddard credits Santos-Griswold for much of her progress, saying that training alongside a skater of her caliber forces her to raise her own standards. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Jens van ‘t Wout the Unconventional Star of Olympic Short Track Speed Skating
Sisterhood on Skates: How Santos-Griswold and Stoddard Thrive Together
Short track is known for its chaos — one small mistake or an unlucky bump can end a race in an instant. That environment can breed tension between teammates who are also rivals for individual spots. But Santos-Griswold and Stoddard have gone the other way, choosing to build each other up.
Kristen has been like a big sister to me, Stoddard said in a recent interview. She pushes me in training but also helps me stay calm when things get stressful. That support makes a huge difference. Santos-Griswold echoes that sentiment, noting that having Stoddard by her side has kept her motivated and competitive. Corinne keeps me honest, she said. When I see how hungry she is, it inspires me to keep getting better, too.
Building Trust and Speed on the Road to Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
The two skaters spend much of the year training together at the Utah Olympic Oval, the heart of U.S. Winter Olympic speed skating. Their workouts are grueling — strength sessions in the gym, technical drills on the ice, and endless laps to perfect race strategy. Training together allows them to simulate real race conditions, test tactics, and build trust that carries over into relays.
That trust has paid off. The U.S. women’s relay team has become more competitive on the World Cup circuit. They now regularly challenge for medals against the dominant teams from Asia and Europe. With Santos-Griswold and Stoddard as key components, the Americans are aiming for a podium finish at Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026.
Lessons From Setbacks
Both athletes have faced challenges that have shaped their approach to the sport. Santos-Griswold has endured crashes that derailed medal opportunities, forcing her to reset mentally and physically. Stoddard has had to adapt to the pressure of international racing and the occasional disappointment of narrowly missing finals. Through it all, they have leaned on each other. Sharing victories makes them sweeter; sharing heartbreak makes them easier to bear. Their bond has become one of the quiet strengths of the U.S. program.
Eyes on Milano Cortina 2026: Chasing Winter Olympic History Together
With less than two years until the next Winter Olympic, both skaters have their eyes firmly on Milano Cortina. The goal is clear — individual medals and a historic podium finish in the relay. For Santos-Griswold, Milano Cortina represents another chance to achieve what narrowly eluded her in Beijing. For Stoddard, it could be a career-defining debut on the Olympic stage. Together, they are determined to show that American women can once again be a force in Winter Olympic short track speed skating. Their shared commitment to the team’s success may be their greatest advantage. When the pressure mounts, they will not just be skating for themselves — they will be skating for each other.
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Friendship Beyond the Rink Fuels Winter Olympic Dreams
Outside the rink, Santos-Griswold and Stoddard have become close friends. They spend time together away from training, supporting each other through the ups and downs of life as elite athletes. Whether it’s studying race footage over coffee, decompressing with a hike in the Utah mountains, or celebrating each other’s birthdays, their friendship strengthens the trust that is so crucial on the ice.
That connection is visible during competitions. In the tense moments before a race, you can often see them exchanging words of encouragement or sharing a fist bump. Those small gestures speak volumes about the trust they have built.
Raising the Bar for the Next Generation of U.S. Short Track
Their partnership is also helping to elevate the entire U.S. short track program. Younger skaters see the example Santos-Griswold and Stoddard set and are inspired to emulate their professionalism, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Coaches believe this culture shift could pay dividends in the next Olympic cycle, creating a more unified and competitive team. Success in short track is never just about one skater, said a national team coach. Kristen and Corinne are showing that when athletes work together, everyone rises.
Road to Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026: Team USA’s Rising Stars Push Toward Olympic Glory
The 2025–26 World Cup season will be crucial in gauging where the Americans stand against their global rivals. Santos-Griswold and Stoddard will be tested across multiple distances and formats, fine-tuning their tactics and sharpening their speed for the Olympic year.
If they can stay healthy and continue pushing each other in training, they will head to Milano Cortina as legitimate medal contenders. And whether they stand on the podium or not, they will have proven that in one of the most unpredictable sports on the Olympic program, teamwork and friendship can be just as powerful as speed and strategy.
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