Nagoya, Japan

 #ShortTrackSkating 

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating action begins again on Friday, rolling into Nagoya, Japan before moving on to Shanghai, China next weekend – a tantalising Asian double-header that should help clarify who this season’s dominant skaters will be.

Kim Boutin CAN WCSTSS CAN 2019 International Skating Union ISU 1181129845

Kim Boutin (CAN) at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating (CAN) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

One name has shone brightest so far: Kim Boutin. The Canadian came flying out the traps during the first two weekends of racing in North America, winning gold in the 1500m and 500m (2) in Salt Lake City, USA, then sparkling on home ice in Montreal, where she topped the podium in both the 1000m and the 500m – winning in 41.936 seconds, a world record.

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Standings Ladies 1500m

Suzanne Schulting NED WCSTSS USA 2019 International sKating Union ISU 1179874984

Suzanne Schulting (NED) at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating (USA) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Boutin was consistent last season, too – but found herself losing out to Suzanne Schulting (NED) and Choi Min Jeong (KOR) too often on the big stages. She decided to mix things up during the off season, training in the Netherlands instead of at home, saying: “I told my coach I needed something new, to have more fun and see if I still enjoyed Short Track.”

The decision seems to have paid off in style, but can she maintain her form? Her strong results so far bring extra pressure, she admits. “It’s hard and stressful but I just need to focus on being calm,” she said in Montreal.

Schulting will be hoping to reassert the dominance she established last term. Still ranked No.1, the Netherlands’ ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Champion hasn’t exactly been skating badly – she won the 1000m in Salt Lake City – and had some ill fortune in Montreal. Don’t be surprised to see a reaction at the Nippon Gaishi Arena.

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Standings Ladies 1000m

Choi Min Jeong KOR WSTSS 2019 International Skating Union ISU 1134890429

Choi Min Jeong (KOR) at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Also quiet so far this term has been Choi. The three-time overall World Champion will be looking to step up her game in Japan.

Elsewhere, Martina Valcepina (ITA) has impressively continued her excellence over 500m, winning gold in Salt Lake and finishing second behind Boutin in Montreal. The 27-year-old has been on the ISU circuit for more than a decade – and this winter will mark ten years since she became the youngest Italian to compete at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games – but she has never looked stronger.

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Standings Ladies 500m

Also on form? Kim Ji Yoo (KOR), Seo Whi Min (KOR), Han Yutong (CHN), Petra Jaszapati (HUN), Yara van Kerkhof (NED) and Natalia Maliszewska (POL).

Martina Maliszewska POL WCSTSS GER 2019 International Skating Union ISU 1127190379

Natalia Maliszewska (POL) at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating (GER) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Standings Ladies 3000m Relay

In the Men’s racing, Hwang Dae Heon of the Republic of Korea started the season powerfully, but the current No.1 is missing from the line-up in Japan.

Hwang Dae Heon KOR WCSTSS USA 2019 International Skating Union ISU 1179500373

Hwang Dae Heon (KOR)  at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating (USA) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Who might capitalize on his absence? Both the Hungarian Liu brothers, Shaoang and Sandor Shaolin (who won the 500m in Montreal), have performed with real power so far, while Semen Elistratov of Russia has improved significantly, winning the 1500m in Salt Lake City and the 1000m in Montreal.

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Shaolin Sandor Liu (HUN) at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating (GER) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Standings Men 1000m

Wu Dajing (CHN) looks back to his best in the 500m, too, while Park Ji Won, Lee June Seo, Kim Dong Wook and Park In Wook, all of Rep. Korea, have made podiums already this year, once again illustrating Korea’s incredible squad depth in the sport.

Wu Dajing CHN WCSTSS CAN 2019 International Skating Union ISU 1181487101

Wu Dajing (CHN) at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating (CAN) 2019 International Skating Union (ISU)

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Standings Men 500m

The home fans’ best chances for glory this weekend also lie in the Men’s field. Kazuki Yoshinaga (JPN) has had a quiet start to the 2019/20 programme – but he demonstrated in Calgary last season, where he won the 1500m, that he is capable of winning gold medals on a good day.

Kazuki Yoshinaga JPN WCSTSS CAN 2019 International Skating Union ISU 1181129593

Kazuki Yoshinaga (JPN) at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating (CAN) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Standings Men 1500m

The 20-year-old, whose mother was also a successful Short Track athlete, is from Nagoya, and learned to skate very fast on this very ice. He will be desperate to prove his worth in front of his family and friends.

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Standings Men 5000m Relay

Where to watch and follow the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating 2019/20?

Viewers will be able to watch via their national broadcaster/channel and 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 in the Where to watch news here.

Subscribe to the ISU Newsletter to receive the latest information and the “Where to Watch” news. You can also subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive notifications when live streams start or new videos are published.

Highlights, clips, interviews, behind the scenes:

YouTube: ISU Skating

IG: @isuspeedskating

Facebook: @ISUShortTrackSpeedSkating

Twitter: @ISU_Speed

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For further information on ISU Short Track Speed Skating visit: https://www.isu.org/short-track.

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series events 2019/20:

Salt Lake City (USA) – November 1 - 2

Montréal (CAN) – November 8 – 10

Nagoya (JPN) – November 29 – December 1

Shanghai (CHN) – December 6 – 8

Dresden (GER) – February 7 – 9

Dordrecht (NED) – February 14 – 16