Tracking Italy's skating talent

When Qi Mengyao stepped onto the ice at the 2025 ISU World Short Track Championships in Beijing, few would have guessed that the coach guiding Italy's rising stars once dreamed of representing China as an athlete.

Now, the 37-year-old from Changchun has carved out an unlikely path from unheralded skater, to architect of Italy's Olympic ambitions.

At last month's worlds, her squad — a blend of raw talent and experienced veterans — claimed silver in the mixed team relay and bronze in the men's 1,000m, signaling Italy's growing threat ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

For Qi, it's a testament to resilience, cross-cultural grit, and a coaching philosophy forged across three continents.

Born in Jilin province — China's northeastern ice sports heartland — Qi's journey began on the amateur rink of Changchun. She was spotted by coach Kong Xin for her speed during school races. By her teens, she was training alongside future legends like Yang Yang, China's first Winter Olympic champion, in national youth camps, and competed at the 2004 World Junior Championships.

But, injuries, and the rise of younger talent like Zhou Yang, left Qi sidelined and uncertain about her future. Forced to retire in 2009 after a knee injury, Qi applied for graduate studies at Beijing Sport University, but fell short on her English exam.

"My parents supported me to start afresh abroad," she recalled. Drawn to Calgary, Canada, where she had trained briefly as a teen, Qi initially pursued business studies. But, a volunteer coaching stint at a local skating club dramatically changed the course of her career.

"The club director saw my background and said: 'Why not study coaching?' That changed everything," she said.

After graduating from Calgary's coaching academy, Qi honed her craft at the University of Calgary's training center, ascending from youth teams to mentoring future national squad members.

Her breakthrough came when Canadian skating officials, impressed by her progress with the juniors, invited her to support national team staff. "They sent me to junior tournaments and World Cups. Olympic champion Charles Hamelin's father, then head of the association, believed in nurturing coaches at all levels. That trust was pivotal."

By 2018, her reputation drew interest from Chinese speed skating icon Wang Xiuli, who invited her to return home. Plans stalled due to the pandemic, but, in 2023, Italy came calling. "They had cycled through coaches, but waited one season for me. They wanted stability, and someone who could develop their new generation," said Qi.

Now based in Italy's alpine training hub of Bormio, Qi balances veteran leadership with nurturing raw talent. For stars like Beijing 2022 silver medalist Pietro Sighel, she prioritizes collaboration over authority.

"I spent a season building trust. I didn't try to change him, but tried to enhance what's already there with my methods. We would review footage together, identify issues and find solutions as partners," Qi explained. "Now we have become more harmonious in aspects such as training methods, techniques, intensity, volume, as well as teamwork on the rink."

Her young skaters, meanwhile, are works in progress. "This season, their tactical awareness grew. Our relays could have produced more medals, but details cost us," Qi said. "Seeing their improvement brings me great comfort."

"In Canada, everything is hyper-professional. In Europe, teams across borders, like Austria, France and Hungary, train together. They share plans, learn from each other," noted Qi, who envisions herself as a cultural bridge. "I've absorbed different systems. My value isn't just coaching a team, it's connecting philosophies."

Balancing career and family remains her toughest challenge. Her husband shuttles between Canada and Italy, while her parents, once skeptical of her skating dreams, now help care for her children in Europe.

"In spring and summer, my family stays in Italy. When the season starts, they return to Calgary. It's not ideal, but we make it work," said Qi, who often hits the slopes of Bormio, a five-minute drive from the rink, to recharge herself between training sessions.

As Milano-Cortina 2026 approaches, Qi keeps expectations grounded. "The federation hasn't set medal targets, but we'll aim high. I tell my skaters to control the process, rather than the outcome. Execute the plan, nail the tactics and results will follow."

"Passion is energy" serves as the mantra that drives Qi through every decision.

"As long as you have passion, and a strong liking for something, you'll have enough energy to accomplish what you want to achieve," she said.

Xinhua