Connor Howe (CAN) wins gold in the Men's 1500m in the World Cup in Thialf (NED)
Pacing is the name of the game in the 1500m and Connor Howe (CAN) executed it to perfection in Thialf on Sunday. The 22-year-old Canadian took his first World Cup victory in 1 minute and 43.38s, beating Olympic champion Kjeld Nuis (NED) by 0.26s. In the final event of this season’s second ISU World Cup, Ning Zhongyan took China by the hand to edge out the Netherlands by 0.27s for gold in the Team Sprint.
Career first for Howe
“It feels incredible,” Howe said, coming off the podium, cherishing his career first World Cup medal. After last week’s World Cup silver, behind 18-year-old Jordan Stolz (USA), the Canadian started in the final pairing. Nuis had set the fastest time in 1:43.64 so far.
”I saw a lot of fast times today, and I thought I could get a 1.43,” Howe said.
With 23.5 at the 300m split, he opened 0.36s faster than the Olympic champion. Heading into the final lap, he had a 0.23s lead. On the final backstretch he could take full advantage of the draft from Peder Kongshaug (NOR), holding on to his lead in the final inner corner and the finishing straight.
“I tried to relax the first couple of laps and build {up towards] the end,” said Kongshaug. “I was able to get that last draft, and that kind of carried me through.”
Pacing the race well is essential, but it doesn’t come naturally.
“I don't do it every time,” said Howe. “Last week, I rushed a bit and that was what I was focusing on this week: still opening fast, but then relaxing a bit to be more efficient.”
Nuis had to settle for silver and Olympic silver medalist Thomas Krol (NED) bounced back from last week’s disappointing 16th place with bronze in 1:43.83.
Nuis is back
Nuis regretted not having won gold, but the Olympic champion was happy to get silver, having been admitted on a wildcard, after not being able to qualify for the World Cups due to injury.
“I didn’t know how good I would be at the moment, because I’ve not raced for over a month,” said Nuis.
“This weekend was important to me, because starting on a wildcard comes at the cost of someone I hold dear [Jordy van Workum (NED) who had officially qualified], so I had to take my responsibility. I wanted to win.
“In the end, it’s not gold, but to beat Ning Zhongyan (CHN), who seized 1000m gold here, and Jordan Stolz (USA), who won the 1500m last week, gave me a great feeling.”
Kjeld Nuis (NED) takes silver in the Men's 1500m World Cup Speed Skating (NED)
Ning finished fifth in 1:43.91 and Stolz ninth in 1:44.27. Nuis had paced his race differently, because he didn’t want to take too many risks in the start, coming back from a muscle injury.
Nuis believed pacing and pressure were the reasons why Stolz was not able to repeat last week’s surprising victory.
“He’s going to win a lot in the future, but he doesn’t know what he’s capable of just yet,” said Nuis.
“He was too slow after a fast opener. He just doesn’t know how to pace well yet. I thought that he would skate 1:42 here, but he doesn’t and that’s also because of the pressure that’s put on his shoulders [by the press].”
The rise of Stolz and Howe motivates Nuis to raise his own level once more, eventually aiming at the 2026 Olympics.
“It triggers me. It’s what I had in the past with Shani Davis (USA). I wanted to show myself once more [facing the new generation]. Seeing those red numbers behind their names [Stolz and NIng] I thought, I’m back.“
China edge out Netherlands in Team Sprint
The Netherlands seemed to be on their way to seize the last medal of the day, but China edged them out in extremis. Merijn Scheperkamp, Hein Otterspeer and Joep Wennemars (NED) stopped the clock at 1 minute and 19.82s, before China took to the ice in the final pairing with Lian Ziwen, Yang Tao and Ning Zhongyan. The latter set an incredible final lap. China were 0.32s behind heading into the final lap, and 0.27s ahead at the finish line.
Team China win gold in the Men's Team Sprint during the ISU World Cup Speed Skating (NED)
Ning himself credited China’s teamwork: “We have a very good team spirit, and we train together a lot.
“The team sprint is a good event to improve my speed at the start of the individual 1000m and 1500m.”
Ning and his teammates very much enjoy the event and would love to compete in a Team Sprint at the Olympics.
“Although it’s not Olympic, it’s still important to us, because training together helps us to improve.
“If it would become Olympic, every country would put an effort in the event, and we think it makes for a great event to watch for the spectators.”
The Dutch men agreed.
“We think it’s important and we take it seriously,” said Otterspeer. “It’s an interesting event, it’s super fast and the public likes it. The skaters like it too, but we think the Team Sprint shouldn’t come at the cost of a second 500m race [in World Cup weekends and at Championships races].”
Program
The Heerenveen World Cup starts with the 1000m and the Mass Start for both genders on Friday. On Saturday the wWmen will skate the 1500m and the Team Sprint, while the Men take on the 500m and the 5000m, and the Sunday schedule features the 1500m and the Team Sprint for Men and the 500m and the 3000m for Women.
World Cup Standings - Men
World Cup Standings - Women
Where to watch
Viewers will be able to watch the World Cup sessions (local time) via their national broadcaster/channel.
For countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. You will find the full list on the Where to watch webpage here.
ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series events 2022/23:
Nov 11 - 13, 2022 Stavanger /NOR
Nov 18 - 20, 2022 Heerenveen/ NED
Dec 09 - 11, 2022 Calgary /CAN
Dec 16 - 18, 2022 Calgary /CAN
Feb 10 - 12, 2023 Tomaszów Mazowiecki /POL
Feb 17 - 19, 2023 World Cup Final - Tomaszów Mazowiecki /POL
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