2026 Olympic Speed Skating Women's 5000m Prediction & Preview
Updated July 9, 2026
The women’s 5000 meters speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano‑Cortina is a huge test of endurance among some of the fastest skaters on the planet. With the defending champion Irene Schouten retired, this distance is completely up for grabs, and a new Olympic champion will be crowned on Thursday on the Milano Speed Skating Stadium oval. The field features athletes who have excelled all season in the ISU Speed Skating World Cup and the World Single Distances Championships, and you can find out which option I like the best by checking out my prediction below.
Below are the current outright winner odds for the women’s 5000m at the 2026 Winter Olympics:
The retirement of Irene Schouten, the reigning Olympic champion from the last Games, has opened the door for a new champion to emerge but has also broadened the field considerably. Schouten’s absence reshapes the narrative, as she had dominated long‑distance events at past Olympics and World Cups. With her not in the field, the podium picture is much less predictable and betting angles more difficult to zero in on.
Heading into Milano‑Cortina, Norway’s Ragne Wiklund has impressed on the long distances. She led the long‑distance standings in the 2025‑26 ISU World Cup, and consistent results throughout the season have positioned her as a clear favorite. Her strength over extended distances makes her a logical pick, and her form indicator places her ahead of many competitors on this exact terrain.
Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida will be skating in front of a home crowd, an emotional advantage that could boost her performance. Lollobrigida claimed gold at the 2025 World Single Distances Championships in the 5000m, a marquee result that underscores her potential on race day. She also opened up the speed skating program with a gold medal in a shorter distance and she will try to get a second here.
Canada’s Isabelle Weidemann remains a strong contender given her experience and World Cup consistency. While she has not topped the World Championships at this distance, she has frequently placed near the front in international competitions and offers a solid blend of reliability and podium potential. Merel Conijn of the Netherlands has also had strong international performances and is often overlooked when compared to teammates, but her endurance and racing strategy give her credible upside for bettors looking beyond the favorites.
Pick: Francesca Lollabrigida (ITA) ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
The absence of the previous champion opens the door for new names to rise to the top of this event and I think we will see Italian Francesca Lollabrigida become the new Olympic champion at this distance. Lollabrigida won the 3000m race with an Olympic record time. She is skating well in front of her countrymen and women and she will do so again in the 5000m.
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
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