Erfurt / Germany

JWC-Review2-626064192The Chinese and Korean men have made their mark in the Junior World Cup Speed Skating Series 2016/17, and Daria Kachanova was queen of the ladies’ sprint events winning five out of a total of six races in the 500m and 1000m.

Korea and China prevail in Men’s Junior World Cup

Hyun Min Oh was the big man in the Men’s junior competition at the last leg of the Junior World Cup Series in Erfurt. The 19-year-old Korean won both the 1500m and the mass start to also conquer the World Cup in both events.

China’s Tao Yang grabbed gold in the men’s 500m. The Chinese junior had already won the first two World Cup races this season and thus took the 500m World Cup crown unbeaten. His compatriot Yanan Jin had to leave the Erfurt gold in the 1000m to Japan’s Koki Kubo’, but secured the 1000m World Cup by taking the bronze in Germany. Norway’s Allan Dahl Johansson took 1000m silver, but only finished sixth in the overall ranking.

Marwin Talsma won the 3000m World Cup. After coming second in the first World Cup race of the season behind China’s Alemasi Kahanbai, the Dutchman won both in Collalbo and in Erfurt. The Netherlands also won the Team Pursuit in Erfurt, but Norway, who had come first in the World Cup Team Sprint races in Minsk and Collalbo, grabbed the combined Team Pursuit / Team Sprint World Cup.

Kachanova queen of sprint

Daria Kachanova once more showed to be one of the most promising sprinting talents in years. After last season’s World Junior Title in the 500m, the Russian conquered this season’s 500m and 1000m World Cups. Kachanova won all 500m races and two of three 1000m races, only to bow her head for Dutch Jutta Leerdam in the final 1000m race of the season in Erfurt.

With Kachanova as queen of the sprint, Sanne In ’t Hof ruled the longer distances. The Dutch prodigy was less dominant than her Russian short distance counterpart, however. In ‘t Hof won the 1500m World Cup without a single distance victory, as her compatriot Joy Beune took gold in Erfurt, with In ‘t Hof securing the overall win with a silver medal. The Dutch ladies also won the Team Pursuit to bring home the combined Team Sprint/Team Pursuit World Cup.