The ISU Junior World Cup Short Track Speed Skating takes place in Heerenveen, Netherlands, from February 17-18. This is the third Junior World Cup event of the season, after two editions in Leeuwarden (NED) before Christmas, building up to next week’s ISU World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Gdansk (POL) from February 22-25.
Chinese and Korean skaters are once again set to shine at the last ISU Junior World Cup of the season © ISU
The upcoming World Cup competitions will award medals over 500m, 1000m and 1500m for both genders, with a 3000m Relay for Women and a 5000m Relay for Men, plus a 2000m Mixed Relay.
So far, Chinese and Korean skaters have dominated proceedings.
Youth Olympians and regional champions line-up
The first two ISU Junior World Cup Short Track Speed Skating events, plus the recent Gangwon 2024 Youth Winter Olympic Games (YOG), should give a good outline of the contenders to watch this weekend in the Netherlands.
During the first ISU World Cup Short Track in Leeuwarden (NED) in November, China led the way in the Women’s races with Zhang Jianing (CHN), Lyu Wanyu (CHN) and Song Jiarui (CHN), who is already excelling at senior level, all performing powerfully and taking medals.
Song Jiarui has been one of the standout junior women's Skaters this season © ISU
Strong competition came, as expected, from the Republic of Korea with Oh Songmi (KOR) winning 1500m gold and Yu Sumin (KOR) also impressing.
In the Men’s races, Li Kun (CHN) stood out: already a member of the China senior Relay Team, with some fine individual results on the ISU World Cup tour, he turned on the style to grab victory in the 1000m.
Li Kun is one of the men to beat following his transition to the senior World Cup circuit © ISU
His teammates Lyu Yanpeng (CHN), Zhang Tianyi (CHN) and Zhang Bohao (CHN) also looked mature beyond their years and reached podiums.
The Korean men weren’t to be outdone, however. Rim Jongun (KOR) won a pair of gold medals, Shin Jongun (KOR) was masterful in the 1500m, Shin Dong Min (KOR) lit up the 500m, and Han Byeongchan (KOR) battled well.
Rim Jongun is a double Junior World Cup gold medallist this season © ISU
The second ISU World Cup Short Track in December saw the same names dominate. Yu (KOR) won the Women’s 1500m, Li Jinzi (CHN) took the 1000m title, while Song again shone in the 500m.
Li Kun (KOR) and Rim again seized gold in the Men’s, while Han also got a debut gold.
It would be a surprise to see anyone from the two Asian powerhouses of China and Republic of Korea dominate this weekend, but there are athletes from other nations hoping to break through this duopoly.
Tawan Thomas (FRA) is hotly tipped for future glory, while Stan Rijksen (NED) and Bas Van Der Valk (NED) have both made podiums at recent meetings.
Peter Groseclose (PHI) is also a rising prospect and was only denied a medal at the Gangwon 2024 YOG by a cruel twist of fate. The ever-improving skater looks set to win his country’s first-ever Short Track medal at some point soon.
Rising star Peter Groseclose is targeting a podium finish in Heerenveen © ISU
Angel Daleman (NED), meanwhile, will arrive in Heerenveen already something of a celebrity.
The Dutch rocket won a hat-trick of long track Speed Skating medals at the Gangwon 2024 YOG (500m, 1500m, Mass Start), and was attempting a unique double by winning medals in the Short Track too – only to be denied by a number of mishaps and crashes in the less predictable discipline.
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Angel Daleman will be hoping to replicate her Youth Olympics success on home ice in Heerenveen © ISU
She is a highly talented Short Track racer, however, and can rectify matters on home ice this weekend.
Heerenveen program
Qualifying for individual distances will take place on Saturday February 17th, with 1500m and 1000m (1) to follow; while Sunday February 18th will see the 500m, 1000m (2), and three Relay races take place.
For further information about the ISU Junior World Cup Short Track Speed Skating, please visit the event webpage here.
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