Corinne Stoddard has been one of the USA Eagles’ most consistent performers over recent seasons, making multiple podiums at ISU Short Track World Tour events. 
Stoddard claimed 1500m bronze at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games – her first Olympic hardware – but was ultimately disappointed not to take more medals.

This year, the former inline skating champion has decided to take a break from Short Track for the first few events, and compete in her original sport. She’s also moved continents as she looks towards her future…

Corinne Stoddard competes in the Women's 1500m quarterfinals at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship 2026 in Montreal, Canada. © ISU

Life After Milano Cortina 2026 

“After the Olympics I decided to do something different, so I’ve moved to Europe, and this season I’ll be doing inline skating for most of the year, before coming back to Short Track.

“I’ve come to Germany. I’m in Mainz, which is near Frankfurt. I've always had an interest in living in Europe. My best friends live near Frankfurt, and my boyfriend is Swiss, so we can see each other a lot more often.

“I like the lifestyle more than in the US. I’d like to work in Europe when I’m done skating. The healthcare system, the school system, the maternity leave are all better here, and I want to raise kids here. In the US, your whole life is about working nonstop.”

“I have language school on weekday mornings. I train in the evenings, and on the weekends I train in the morning. I’d like to get to the point where I can get a job where I don’t have to be dependent on speaking English.”

“My German is not so great yet, but I’ve only done one week of school so far. It’s a hard language.”

Corinne Stoddard celebrates with her country's flag after winning bronze in the short track speed skating women's 1500m final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy. © Getty Images

Returning to Inline Skating

“I was originally an inline skater – I was junior world champion – and I really enjoy it. Since it’s the first year of the Olympic quad, it felt a good time to go back. 

"I’m planning to do the full inline season and compete at the world championships in Paraguay in October.

“Then I will go back to Salt Lake, and get back on the ice from November to February, and then skate the last two World Tours and the world championships in March.

“Inline is completely different from Short Track. There are points races and elimination races, it’s different strategies. It’s a tough sport, it is more physical.

“It’s also longer distances. The points race is 5k on the track and 10k on the road, and the elimination is 10k on the track and 15k on the road. So it’s a lot different to a 1000 metre race.

“I’m trying to train all summer so that I can get back into long-distance racing, and have enough endurance to compete with the top girls.”

Finding balance After Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games

“Moving is a nice change of mentality. Everyone knows how I struggled this past year, and how the Olympics just kind of broke me. 

“For some, the Olympics was the best experience of their lives. And then you have the people that were expected to go to the Olympics and leave with multiple medals, possibly win a gold, and fell very short of it. You can think, ‘What the hell was I doing for four years?’

“When I won the bronze, I was excited, but at the same time it was hard for me to enjoy it. I was grateful to leave with a medal. I was able to prove to myself that I could go through the hardest time of my life and come out sort of on top. But I lost the love a little bit for the ice, and so taking a break but staying in shape, is a great way to do it. 

“Now I have a good routine. I go to the gym, I’m on the bike, I skate. I brought my dog over from the US, so I look after him. I’m not anxious, I’m healthy, I’m sleeping well again.

“I really want to enjoy life here, be with my friends and boyfriend, learn a new life and culture.

“The inline standard here is really good. Our group is pretty small but I enjoy the club. There’s a junior boy named Carlos that’s making me work hard, and a couple of senior women who are really strong. 

“There are some young kids getting better and better, and we all really support each other. We have fun, we push each other, and I’m enjoying it more than being in a big group. 

“The US team has been supportive of me moving to Europe. They understand I needed a break, and to do something that gives me joy. 

“When I come back to Short Track, the Italians have said I can train with them, and they’re a great group. I’m going to get on the ice with them in July for a couple of weeks. I’ve never trained with another team, so that should be fun.”

Corinne Stoddard competes during the ISU Short Track World Tour - Dordrecht 2025 in Dordrecht, Netherlands ©ISU