JR Celski Guides Corinne Stoddard Toward Milan‑Cortina 2026 Olympic Debut
Updated (2 articles)
Celski’s Olympic Legacy Fuels New Generation Three‑time Olympian JR Celski earned three medals and set five combined short‑track world records before retiring after the 2018 Games, yet he remains active by mentoring current Team USA athletes near the Utah Olympic Training Center [1]. He watches the sport closely, offering advice that stresses intentional training and a “no regrets” mindset.
Andrea Celski Leads U.S. Short‑Track Development Former Team Canada skater Andrea Celski now directs the U.S. short‑track program, coordinating athlete development and working directly with rising stars such as Corinne Stoddard [1]. Her leadership is credited with creating a supportive environment that blends technical expertise with personal mentorship.
Corinne Stoddard Prepares for Milan‑Cortina 2026 Federal Way native and ex‑national inline champion Corinne Stoddard cites JR and Andrea Celski as primary role models, describing their guidance as essential for her upcoming Olympic debut in Milan‑Cortina [1]. She plans to apply the mentorship during her training in Italy, aiming to translate wheel‑based fundamentals into ice speed.
Wheel‑Based Training Remains Pathway to Olympic Ice King5’s on‑air segment showed anchors Jake Whittenberg and Mimi Jung learning speed skating on wheels at El Centro Skating Rink, a historic venue that produced Olympians Apolo Ohno and JR Celski [2]. National champion Miguel Jose instructed them on balance, low stance, and powerful pushes, illustrating the physical demands that wheel training imposes before athletes transition to ice.
Pacific Northwest Continues Producing Elite Speed Skaters Both articles highlight Washington state’s deep speed‑skating heritage, noting that local clubs like El Centro regularly offer beginner lessons and serve as pipelines for future Olympians [1][2]. The region’s combination of experienced coaches and historic facilities sustains a steady flow of talent into the national program.
Sources
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1.
King5: JR Celski mentors rising Team USA short‑track stars: profiles Celski’s decorated career, retirement, mentorship of Corinne Stoddard, and Andrea Celski’s role as program director, emphasizing preparation for Milan‑Cortina 2026
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2.
King5: Jake Whittenberg and Mimi Jung Try Speed Skating at Federal Way Rink: follows two anchors trying on‑wheel speed skating at historic El Centro rink, highlights Miguel Jose’s coaching and the wheel‑to‑ice development pathway
Timeline
By 2018 – JR Celski competes in three Winter Games, earns three Olympic medals and sets five combined short‑track World and Junior world records, establishing himself as one of the most decorated U.S. speed skaters [1].
2018 – Celski retires after the 2018 Games, saying he no longer misses daily training but still watches current athletes with admiration and enjoys helping them [1].
2020s – Former Team Canada skater Andrea Celski becomes USA short‑track program director, overseeing the national development pipeline and working closely with rising stars [1].
Early 2020s – Celski settles near Utah’s Olympic Training Center and begins mentoring Federal Way native Corinne Stoddard, urging her to “train with intention and no regrets” and to apply his experience when she competes in Italy [1].
2026 – Stoddard calls Celski, his wife Andrea and son Damien “a really good role model” and says she will draw on his guidance to boost her performance at the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics [1].
Feb 16, 2026 – News anchors Jake Whittenberg and Mimi Jung step onto the wheels at El Centro Skating Rink in Federal Way, a former training site for Olympic medalists Apolo Ohno and JR Celski, to try speed skating for the first time [2].
Feb 16, 2026 – Five‑time national champion Miguel Jose leads their crash course, teaching balance, low stance, powerful pushes and tight turns while stressing the sport’s demanding strength, focus and endurance [2].
Feb 16, 2026 – El Centro’s continued role in the Pacific Northwest’s speed‑skating heritage is highlighted as the rink offers beginner lessons and nurtures the next generation of world‑class talent [2].
Feb 2026 (Milan‑Cortina Games) – Stoddard plans to apply Celski’s mentorship at the upcoming Winter Olympics, aiming to translate his guidance into a strong showing on the world stage [1].