ISU Short Track Junior World Championships 2026: Team GBR ready for Salt Lake City

The next generation of short track stars will take centre stage at the ISU Short Track Junior World Championships 2026, with Team GBR heading to Salt Lake City, USA from Thursday 29 January to Sunday 1 February. The event brings together the world’s best junior athletes for four days of fast, tactical racing - with world titles on the line across the sprint, middle distance, and relay events.

Where and when

The championships will be held at the Utah Olympic Oval (Salt Lake City / Kearns, Utah) - an iconic venue with deep Olympic legacy.

Team GBR selection for ISU Short Track Junior World Championships 2026

Team GBR will be represented by a four-skater squad across the individual distances and the men’s relay:

500m

• Freddie Polak

• Willem Murray

• Albie Barlow

  
  

1000m

• Willem Murray

• Albie Barlow

• Freddie Polak

  
  

1500m

• Joseph Armstrong

• Freddie Polak

• Willem Murray

  
  

Men’s Relay (3000m)

• Joseph Armstrong

• Freddie Polak

• Willem Murray

• Albie Barlow

Willem Murray

Freddie Polak

Joseph Armstrong

Albie Barlow

How the event works

Junior Worlds features the classic short track distances - 500m, 1000m, and 1500m - alongside the 3000m relay. Races are decided by speed, positioning, and split-second tactics, with qualifying rounds narrowing the field before the weekend’s medal sessions.

Schedule (UK time)

Salt Lake City operates on Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is 7 hours behind the UK at this time of year - so evening viewing in the UK is very much on the cards.

Wednesday 28 January

• 16:00–23:30 (UK) – Official training

Thursday 29 January

• Qualifying rounds (time TBC) – Individual + relay qualifying

Friday 30 January

• Qualifying rounds (time TBC) – Individual + relay qualifying

Saturday 31 January

• 20:30–00:00 (UK) – Afternoon session (incl. opening remarks + key races/relay rounds)

Sunday 1 February

• 20:30–00:00 (UK) – Final day (incl. men’s 1000m and relay finals on the programme)

  
  

Note: exact race orders and timings can change based on entries and event progression - keep an eye on official event channels for the latest updates. 

How to watch

Fans can follow the action via the Skating ISU YouTube channel, where you'll be able to catch all of the action live or via catch-up!

Follow Team GBR

Stay tuned across British Ice Skating channels for Team GBR updates from Salt Lake City - and get ready for four days of FAST, full-commitment junior racing on the world stage. Good luck to all athletes and teams involved, we can't wait to cheer you on!