Desert Classic Opens 26-27 Season with an Expanded Format

The 2026 Desert Classic officially launched the 2026-2027 short track speed skating season with an exciting weekend of racing at the Utah Olympic Oval. A total of 165 skaters representing more than 30 clubs and programs traveled to Salt Lake City for the event, held from August 7th to 9th. The competition featured athletes at every level of the sport, including U.S. National Team members, international competitors (from Canada, Hungary, Switzerland, Australia and Hong Kong), experienced age-group skaters, and first-time racers. Together, they created an atmosphere that showcased the depth and continued growth of short track speed skating.

The expanded schedule from two to three days allowed organizers to adopt the competition format used at the U.S. Age Group Nationals and U.S. Short Track Championships. Elite skaters raced a single distance each day, while less experienced skaters competed in four distances over three days. The new format gives elite athletes an opportunity to become familiar with the structure and pacing of a national-level competition, while providing younger and developing skaters with more racing opportunities. 

To ensure competitive racing and minimize downtime between events, the competition was divided into morning and afternoon sessions based on 500m qualifying times. The morning session featured developing and less experienced skaters competing in three mixed-gender ability groups, while the afternoon session showcased more advanced athletes. The afternoon division consisted of one women's group and two men's groups. The top men's group, Open A Men, required a qualifying 500m time of 45 seconds and included several current U.S. National Team members, creating some of the fastest and most exciting races of the weekend. Meanwhile, the mixed-gender groups in the morning session gave newer skaters the opportunity to compete against athletes of similar ability, creating close and competitive racing throughout the event.

Linlin Sun, the lead competition organizer, put considerable thought into the additional day and the new format. She shared the vision behind the changes and expressed her gratitude: 

“Desert Classic is a unique event because it brings together skaters at every stage of their development - from young athletes who are just beginning to skate at six years old to senior national team skaters... This year, we were excited to welcome 165 skaters from across North America and beyond. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our officials, volunteers, coaches, and families, and we're grateful for everything they do to make this event possible.”

Because the Utah Olympic Oval sits at an elevation of approximately 4,500 feet, many competitors arrived several days before the event to acclimate to the thinner air. In addition to the regular complimentary practice session on Thursday afternoon, additional morning practice sessions were arranged from Monday through Wednesday, giving skaters an opportunity to adjust to both the altitude and the ice condition before competition began.

After fierce competition in the 500m, 1500m, and 1000m events, Noah Troppe captured the Open Men title, while Eliza Rhodehamel won the Open Women division. Full results are available on the US Speedskating results page.

With the first medals of the new season awarded and many personal bests achieved, the 2026 Desert Classic provided an outstanding start to the 2026-2027 season and set the stage for another exciting year of short track speed skating. A special thank-you goes to the Utah Olympic Oval and to all the dedicated officials and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the competition running smoothly. Their efforts, together with the support of coaches, athletes, and families, made this year's Desert Classic a memorable and successful start to the new season.