Momoka Horikawa (JPN) is a senior World Cup gold medalist, just one week after winning the 3000m title at the World Junior Championships. The Japanese skater beat Valérie Maltais (CAN) in a sprint of two after a joint breakaway in the Women’s Mass Start on Sunday. Ivanie Blondin (CAN) won the bunch sprint to take bronze and her third Mass Start World Cup trophy. In the 1000m, Jutta Leerdam (NED) returned to take her fifth gold if the season, but Miho Takagi (JPN) held on to take the distance World Cup trophy, her third-place finish securing the title by just one point.
Momoka Horikawa won a thrilling debut World Cup gold in the Mass Start © ISU
Breakaway brilliance
Halfway through the final race in the Women’s Mass Start at Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Maltais decided that it was time for action. She broke away from the pack and looking behind, she saw Horikawa racing to catch up. The 19-year-old accepted the challenge and overtook Maltais, and although the Canadian tried to outsprint her on the final straight, the teenager kept her at bay.
The final Women's Mass Start podium of the World Cup season © ISU
“I was very happy with the World Junior title last week and today with the World Cup gold as well,” said Morikawa.
“I saw the group behind me and then I thought: I have to catch up [with Maltais] for the breakaway. We worked together well, changing up front every lap.”
Maltais praised her Japanese companion.
Valerie Maltais led the breakaway but had to settle for silver in the Women's Mass Start © ISU
“For sure to the line I was a little bit disappointed. When you come so close, but at the same time it's my first time on the [individual] World Cup podium, so I'm just really happy.
“And I'm really happy for Momoka. She's a great junior upcoming skater. I fully respect what we did today.”
Blondin celebrated her third Mass Start World Cup trophy, adding to her two previous titles in 2015 and 2020.
Ivanie Blondin collected her third Mass Start World Cup trophy in Poland © ISU
“Obviously it’s nice to see the consistency of this season. A bit strange with the DQ [Blondin was disqualified at the third World Cup in Calgary because of an irregular move], and now with Marijke Groenewoud and Irene Schouten (NED) not showing up [in Poland], but if you’re not there, you don’t make it.”
Groenewoud, who won last week’s race, ended up second in the overall rankings with Laura Peveri (ITA) third.
Leerdam in league of her own
Jutta Leerdam (NED stopped the clock at 1:14.94 to take her fifth gold in five World Cup appearances this season.
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Jutta Leerdam made it five wins from five World Cup appearances in the 1000m © ISU
She was not happy with her race at all, however.
“It went so bad. I just didn’t feel anything. It was as if the ice was totally different than in the 500m [on Friday].”
Leerdam still finished 0.60 ahead of silver medalist Kimi Goetz (USA), who won the race in her absence last week.
“I think I’m just very strong,” Leerdam searched for an explanation. “Because technically, everything went wrong, I didn’t have the right lean, the hooks were bad, I couldn’t get the pressure on.”
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Leerdam celebrates gold in the final Women's 1000m of the World Cup season © ISU
Despite having won five races, Leerdam missed out on the World Cup trophy after skipping the fifth competition of the six-meet series, with Sunday’s bronze medalist Miho Takagi (JPN) crowned champion by a single point.
“I sort of consider myself the one who has won, because I won every race I showed up. It feels a but unfair, but on the other hand, then I just should have raced,” Leerdam admitted.
“My goal is the World Championships. I would have loved to win both, but it is what it is.”
Goetz was happy to collect silver after last week’s gold:
“I'll take it. I didn't expect to beat Jutta, she's been in a league of her own. I just hope to maybe get a little closer each week. I'm pretty tired going into today. I had a really big day yesterday, so I’m just happy to be in the mix.”
Kimi Goetz secured silver in her final World Cup race of the season © ISU
The silver also secured Goetz third place in the overall rankings.
“I'm really happy with that. To be in the mix with Miho and Brittany and Min Sun, these great standards. It's an honor.”
Takagi was happy to win the World Cup after having struggled the last two weekends in Tomaszów Mazowiecki.
Miho Tagaki claimed the overall 1000m World Cup trophy © ISU
“I think it's getting better, and I was able to have a good focus in my race. That’s a big mental step forward.
“Of course, I’m happy to win the World Cup, but my goal is always to win at the Olympic Games or the World Championships. So, this is just a stepping stone.”
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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