Two races to the limit: the highlights of the Short Track in YongPyong in video

The first Short Track of the 2026 season in Mona YongPyong did not leave great dominators but rather two races to the limit. Both in men and women, the Short Track race was resolved without clear breaks and with tight outcomes that forced everything to be decided in the final meters. Sina Frei and Mathis Azzaro were the ones who best read that context.

YongPyong leaves two nail-biting finals in the Short Track debut with victories for Frei and Azzaro

The event in South Korea was new to the calendar this year, and while we do not know if it will be repeated in future seasons, we can confirm that its course is winning over both riders and fans.

The XCC Mona YongPyong circuit is unusual in this modality but certainly reflects what would be a "miniature XCO" with an explosive climb and an aggressive descent through a trail among trees.

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From the first lap, it was clear that this course would not allow for any respite, and both in men and women, each step up the climb tightened the group, and each descent forced quick decisions. There was no moment of pause, but also no definitive selection.

In the women's race, the front group remained large throughout the race, with constant position changes and attacks that aimed more to wear down than to break. The hard fall of Haley Batten eliminated an important piece in that balance and left the fight for victory even more open. From there, the pace increased with each lap without anyone managing to make real differences, until Sina Frei chose the right moment to attack at just the right time.

In the men's race, there were also several attempts to break the race, leaving young Finn Treudler as the first big surprise of the season, but none with continuity until the race entered its decisive phase. Mathis Azzaro appeared at just the right moment and after several attacks managed to launch a definitive move in the last lap.

The XCO races will take place on Sunday at an unusual time in Europe, with the elite women's race starting at 06:30 and the elite men's race at 08:30, here you can check all the information.