The Men’s long distance World Cup ended with a spectacular finale in Tomaszów Mazowiecki on Saturday. Sander Eitrem (NOR) beat the 5000m track record in an exciting battle with Davide Ghiotto (ITA). The Italian seemed to be on his way to winning the World Cup trophy, but got disqualified for an irregular change-up, with Beau Snellink (NED) instead ending up the season’s winner. In the 500m Yuma Murakami (JPN) won the final race of the season, to finish second behind Laurent Dubreuil (CAN) in the overall rankings.
Costly mistake for Ghiotto
With World Cup leader Patrick Roest (NED) absent, Ghiotto had the perfect opportunity to win a career-first World Cup trophy. The Italian, who had already beaten Roest in the 5000m last week, needed 26 points to pass him in the rankings, while defending a 26-point lead over third-ranked Snellink.
Ghiotto faced Eitrem in the sixth of eight pairings. Sitting fourth in the rankings, the Norwegian was not in contention for the overall trophy, but he put up a fierce fight for gold in the final race of the season.
Sander Eitrem (NOR) competes in the Men's 5000m during the 2023 ISU World Cup Speed Skating Final in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland. © ISU
Ghiotto was slightly ahead from the start, until the 3800m split. With a little over two laps to go however, he made a crucial mistake. Coming from the inside lane, he tried to cross in front of Eitrem on the backstretch, but the two skaters were too close and coming from the outside lane, Eitrem had priority.
Eitrem had to hold back for a split second, but could continue the race, finishing in 6:15.06, half a second faster than the track record set by Olympic champion Nils van der Poel (SWE) last season. Ghiotto crossed the line a little later and would have come second in the event but was instead disqualified soon afterwards.
Davide Ghiotto missed out on the World Cup trophy after being disqualified in the 5000m © ISU
“It was a really nice race and a good battle,” said Eitrem. “I’m sorry for Ghiotto’s mistake. He should have let me go. He was really close, so I had to touch him, but it didn’t affect my race much.”
Snellink finished his race versus pair-mate Bart Swings (BEL) in 6:21.63 and was promoted from bronze to silver following Ghiotto’s disqualification.
Beau Snellink ended with silver to claim the overall 5000m World Cup title © ISU
“I knew that I would win the World Cup trophy if I came in second today,” said Snellink. “So, when I saw the DQ, I knew what it meant for me.
“But I feel for Ghiotto. He should have won here. Of course, I’m happy to end up on top, but you always hope to win fair and square.”
Snellink (left) and Eitrem accept their Men's 5000m World Cup silverware © ISU
Murakami finishes the way he started
Yuma Murakami (JPN) finished the World Cup season as he had started it – on top of the podium. The Japanese sprinter stopped the 500m clock at 34.69, to keep Jordan Stolz (USA) 0.04 behind in second place. Dai Dai Ntab (NED) took bronze in 34.79, while Laurent Dubreuil (CAN) secured the World Cup title by finishing sixth.
Yuma Murakami ended the World Cup season on a high with gold in the 500m © ISU
“It was a good race,” said Murakami, who ended up second in the 500m ranking. “I had a good opener, but the last corner was so-so. Like last week, I was steering a bit too much to the inside, I didn’t have a good lean, but this week I was stronger mentally. I had a good focus.”
World Cup winner Dubreuil was not happy with his race, but managed to see the positive side:
“Today, it was a really bad race. I felt really good physically, extremely powerful, but the first corner was just really, really bad. Many slips and I just could not accelerate as much as I hoped.
“To be still pretty close to the to the podium and not that far off from the win, considering how I skated, it's actually a good sign. Because I know I could have skated much, much faster.”
Laurent Dubreuil (centre) topped the Men's 500m World Cup standiings © ISU
Silver medalist Stolz posted the fastest full lap of the field with 24.90, after already having won the 1500m on Friday.
“It’s surprising to me,” he reacted. “Just with the training, I'm able to do it [skating both a fast 500m and 1500m]. I felt good in both of them. Obviously, I was a little tired today from the 1500m. but still I was able to put out a good one.”
Jordan Stolz added another World Cup medal to his cabinet with silver in the 500m © ISU
Ntab (NED) was happy to be back on the podium, with his first World Cup medal since the 2020/2021 season.
“I’m happy. It’s been a while. It’s still not a perfect race,” said the Dutchman. “I leave it on the ice in the first 20 meters, which was a shame. It must have cost me a tenth or maybe even two tenths of a second. But I feel good.”
Dai Dai N'tab won his first World Cup medal in two years in the 500m © ISU
Program
The second of two back-to-back Tomaszów Mazowiecki World Cups events starts with the 1500m and the Team Sprint for Men, and the 500m and 3000m for Women on Friday. On Saturday, the Women will skate the 1500m and the Team Sprint, while the Men take on the 500m and the 5000m, and the Sunday schedule features the 1000m and Mass Start for both genders.
For all information about the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Series, please visit the webpage here.
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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