The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics delivered thrilling action in short track speed skating, where razor-thin margins and unexpected triumphs created opportunities for enormous betting returns. From underdog victories to surprising medal finishes, several events stood out for their high-stakes drama and the fortunes they generated for savvy bettors.
Short track speed skating at Milano Cortina featured nine events across mens, womens, and mixed categories, held at the Fiera Milano Rho arena from February 10 to 20. The discipline, known for its high-speed pack racing and frequent falls, often produces unpredictable outcomes that favor long-shot bets. One standout was the men's 500m, but before that, the mixed team relay set the tone with Italy's home-ice heroics. In this event, teams of two men and two women alternate in a 2000m relay, demanding seamless handoffs and strategic positioning. Bettors who spotted value in the hosts underdog status reaped rewards at spinpin.org.uk as Italy clinched gold ahead of favorites Canada and Netherlands.
Italy's Home Triumph: A $250,000 Windfall from the Mixed Relay
The mixed team relay on February 10 kicked off short track competition with a bang. Italy, led by veterans Arianna Fontana and Pietro Sighel alongside Nicoletta Confortola and Thomas Nadalini, started as +800 underdogs due to South Korea’s historical dominance and Canada's strong lineup. The race unfolded chaotically, with early falls eliminating China and a late push by Italy overtaking Canada in the final laps. Fontana anchored the team to a time of 2:37.456, securing gold by 0.3 seconds.
One reported win involved a $25,000 bet on Italy to win outright, yielding a $200,000 profit plus stake for a total payout of $225,000. This event showcased Fontana's experience, as the 35-year-old multiple medalist used her tactical savvy to navigate the pack, while Sighel's speed in the men's segments provided crucial leads.
Dubois Daring Sprint: Turning $100,000 into Over $400,000 in the Men's 500m
On February 19, Canada's Steven Dubois delivered one of the Olympics biggest short track surprises in the men's 500m final. Entering as a +430 underdog behind favorites like Netherlands's Jens van t Wout and teammate William Dandjinou, Dubois executed a flawless race. The 500m, a four-and-a-half lap sprint emphasizing explosive starts and overtakes, saw Dubois qualify through heats with consistent top-two finishes.
In the final, he surged from third position on the last lap, clocking 40.835 seconds to edge Jens van t Wout by 0.05 seconds for gold, with Melle van t Wout taking bronze. Dubois, a 28-year-old from Quebec with prior relay silvers, credited his win to a risky inside pass that paid off. A notable betting story emerged of a $100,000 wager on Dubois for gold, resulting in a $430,000 return plus the original stake, totaling $530,000.
Stoddard's Bronze Breakthrough: A $150,000 Payout on American Resilience in Women's 1500m
The women's 1500m on February 20 provided another massive betting coup with American Corinne Stoddard's bronze medal. As a +1200 long shot for any podium finish amid South Korean dominance, Stoddard defied expectations in the 13.5-lap endurance test. The race focused on positioning and late surges, with South Korea’s Kim Gil-li taking gold in 2:18.972 and Choi Min-jeong silver. Stoddard, a 23-year-old from Washington state making her Olympic debut, advanced through semifinals by avoiding penalties and held third after a mid-race lead.
Her bronze ended a 16-year U.S. drought in individual women's short track medals. One documented win was a $10,000 bet on Stoddard to medal, paying out $120,000 profit for a $130,000 total. Stoddard's performance, built on strong World Cup showings, emphasized her stamina and ability to capitalize on favorites fatigue, marking a historic moment for U.S. skating.
Netherlands Relay Dominance: Cashing In $300,000 on the Mens 5000m
Closing out the short track program, the men's 5000m relay on February 20 saw Netherlands pull off a +450 upset for gold. The team of Jens van t Wout, Sjinkie Knegt, Teun Boer, and Itzhak de Laat faced stiff competition from Canada and South Korea but executed perfect exchanges over 45 laps. Finishing in 6:42.185, they beat South Korea by 0.2 seconds after a dramatic final push by van t Wout. Jens, already a 1000m gold medalist, anchored with precision, leveraging his speed from individual events. A high-profile bet of $50,000 on Netherlands to win yielded $225,000 profit, totaling $275,000.