Gangneung Winter Festival: Suwon Eagles U12 Hockey Advance to Semifinals

A preliminary short-track race unfolded at the 107th National Winter Sports Festival in Gangwon on Tuesday, as athletes from across South Korea began competing in the country’s largest winter sports event. The festival, running from February 25th to 28th across Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, features competition in eight sports: skating, ice hockey, skiing, biathlon, curling, bobsleigh and skeleton, mountaineering, and luge.

The event follows closely on the heels of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and organizers anticipate it will maintain the momentum generated by the international competition. A total of 4,380 participants – 2,797 athletes and 1,583 officials – representing 17 cities and provinces are taking part, divided across five divisions: under 12, under 15, under 18, university, and general.

Speedskating and short-track events were held as preliminary competitions earlier in January, with the main competition commencing on February 25th. The opening ceremony took place at 5 p.m. At Mona Yongpyong Bliss Hill Stay.

Olympic medalist Yu Seung-eun, who secured a bronze medal in women’s snowboard big air at the Winter Olympics, is among the competitors. Figure skating stars Cha Jun-hwan and Lee Hae-in are also slated to participate. The festival builds on the legacy of previous winter sports events held in Gangwon Province, including the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games.

Seoul is sending a delegation of 651 athletes to compete in the festival, with plans to participate immediately following the Olympics. Detailed schedules and results are being provided in real time on the official website, with figure skating televised live on KBS N SPORTS and ice climbing and luge streamed via YouTube.

The 106th National Winter Sports Festival, held from February 18th to 21st in 2025, saw participation from 4,278 athletes. This year’s event represents a slight increase in participation, continuing a tradition that began with the 1st All Joseon Ice Skating Competition in 1925.