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Suzanne Schulting (NED) will receive the first ever women’s ISU Short Track Crystal Globe trophy next weekend, after sealing the crucial points in Dresden, Germany on Sunday.
Schulting defeated teammate Xandra Velzeboer (NED) in a highly dramatic 500m, putting her on 912 points at the top of the standings. Her nearest rival, Courtney Sarault (CAN), lies an insurmountable 296 points behind.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Kim Gilli (KOR) took gold in the 1500m (2), cementing her status as the most exciting young talent on the circuit.
Dutch battle for 500m crown
The 500m is always fast and furious, but in Dresden it was a truly breathless affair, as the fiercely determined Velzeboer and Schulting went toe to toe.
Velzeboer has been blowing away the opposition with her raw speed this season, but Schulting demonstrated all her experience and savvy in this race – taking off at top speed, keeping her teammate on the outside, and somehow fending off three attempts from Velzeboer to get past.
Global star: Schulting (NED) is set for Trophy triumph after storming to victory in the 500m. @ISU
She finished a fraction ahead, with Choi Min Jeong (KOR) in third.
“It was a crazy race, pretty amazing. I really enjoyed it and felt quite relaxed,” Schulting said.
“I am extra excited when I win the 500m because it is not my speciality and it is a really difficult distance.
“I have more of a speciality in the 1000m and the 1500m. But the funny part is I’ve raced more 500m races this season than 1500m.
“Xandra is skating so fast but I have shown it’s not all just about how fast you can skate, it’s also about the tactical part of the race, so I’m so happy about that.”
She is delighted to know that the Crystal Globe will be heading her way, too: “I’m super happy about it. It’s really nice, but I want to do really well in Dordrecht [in the Netherlands] next weekend, too.”
Junior Champion Gilli shows senior pedigree
Last weekend, Kim Gilli (KOR) dominated the ISU World Junior Short Track Championships in Dresden, winning two individual gold medals.
Her dream trip to Germany continued here, as she clinched her second senior individual win, blasting through a quality field including local hero Anna Seidel (GER).
The German led early but was passed smoothly by Gilli on the final corner. Shim Suk Hee (KOR) was third.
Classy Kim: Junior star Gilli graduates to senior stardom by winning gold in the 1500m (2). @ISU
“I have done pretty well this season,” Gilli said. “I set myself a goal and I feel like I have met it. I’ve been ambitious. I wanted to win some medals and I’ve tried very hard. I have got better and it’s been good progress. I am happy with the season.”
Seidel enjoyed the acclaim of the crowd, despite missing out narrowly on her first ISU World Cup gold. “I was really nervous, because I was at home and I always want to show people what I’ve got, and I’ve never been able to do it,” she said.
“This year it finally worked out for me. I was the closest I’ve ever been to winning, but I gave it all I have. I was risking a lot, so I didn’t lose gold, I won silver.
“I am feeling good moving towards the World Championships, and getting a medal there is my goal, because I’ve not won one yet. There is one more test left in the Netherlands first.”
It will be a coronation for Schulting, who also brought home the Netherlands women’s 3000m relay team here, ahead of Canada in second and Korea third.
The ISU World Cup Short Track season concludes in Dordrecht, Netherlands next weekend, February 10-12.
World Cup Classification - Men
Overall World Cup Classification
World Cup Classification - Women
Overall World Cup Classification
World Cup Classification – Mixed Relay
Where to watch
Viewers will be able to watch the Saturday and Sunday afternoon (local time) World Cup sessions via their national broadcaster/channel.
For countries where there are no broadcasters and for the qualification and repechage races, 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:
Oct 28 - 30, 2022 Montréal /CAN
Nov 04 - 06, 2022 Salt Lake City /USA
Dec 09 - 11, 2022 Almaty /KAZ
Dec 16 - 18, 2022 Almaty /KAZ
Feb 03 - 05, 2023 Dresden /GER
Feb 10 - 12, 2023 Dordrecht /NED
About ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series
The ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022. Launched in 1997/98, the Series usually consists of six events (four during an Olympic season) that take place in North America, Europe and Asia.
The competitions have a single distance character across nine distances (500, 1000 and 1500 meters for Women and Men, Women 3000 meters Team Relay, Men 5000 meters Team Relay and a Mixed Gender Relay over 2000 meters), and to mark its 25th anniversary, the series now also includes an Overall World Classification based on an accumulation of points from all individual distances which will determine a Combined Season Ranking and a Season Champion in the Women and Men categories. These Champions will be awarded with the new ISU World Cup Short Track Crystal Globe Trophy.
Each competition is held over three days (day 1 is dedicated to all Qualifying Rounds, days 2 and 3 consist of the last Qualifying Rounds followed by the World Cup sessions). For the Mixed Gender Relay Teams (2 Women & 2 Men), the Women 3000 meters Relay races and Men 5000 meters Relay races a maximum of four Skaters shall compete and must belong to the same ISU Member. For further information please visit isu.org.
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