Suzanne Schulting (NED) proved she is still the best Short Track speed skater on the planet on Saturday at the Maurice-Richard Arena, Montreal – but her young teammate, Xandra Velzeboer (NED) isn’t too far behind.
It was a brilliant day for the Netherlands as Schulting produced a trademark power performance to win the 1500m, and Velzeboer was too fast for the field in the 1000m (1).
This was Velzeboer’s first gold medal in a World Cup meeting – but after an astonishing 2021-22 season in which she became 500m World Champion and got gold in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games women’s relay, it didn’t come as a surprise.
Xandra Veltzeboer adds a first World Cup win to the relay gold she won at Beijing 2022.© ISU
She beat Shim Suk Hee (KOR) into second, with Seo Whimin (KOR) taking third place.
“The race was very nice, I planned to skate from the front and I think I did it perfectly after waiting for my moment,” said Velzeboer, 21. “To win a 1000m also feels good, I feel that I can skate to win in this distance now.
“I made my acceleration. In the last moment it was a little bit tricky, but I kept my cool. It’s awesome to win my first World Cup, and my first World Cup of the season.
“Being on a team with Suzanne is really nice, we train together and we make each other better. To be training at such a high level, with all the girls, that’s how we improve.
“Last season ahead of the Olympics was really tense, with all the qualification tournaments, and being a favourite in the relay final, but it was amazing to win.
“Becoming World Champion in the 500m gave me belief to perform at that high level. It helped me to keep calm, and it has given me more motivation, to race more finals and to try to win.”
Schulting won the 1500m against a classy field including perennial rival, and two-time 1500m Olympic champion Choi Min Jeong (KOR).
Double Olympic champion Choi Min Jeong could only manage fourth in the women's 1500m in Montreal, Canada on Saturday. © ISU
The Dutchwoman took the lead with four laps to go and produced an acceleration that blew away the field. Kim Gilli (KOR) was second, with Kristen Santos-Griswold (USA) third.
“It was a fantastic race, I was waiting and waiting in the back and stayed really calm,” said Schulting.
“I made my move and I think it was fantastic, a great outside pass, it was super clean and then I was able to push through. I’m so happy with this win.”
And any rivals thinking that three Olympic gold medals and numerous World Cup titles might mean that Schulting ever thinks about slowing down are out of luck.
“Winning gold is just an amazing feeling,” she said. “All the dedication you put in, all the hours, all the training, then you can come home with a gold medal, and show the whole country, it’s just great.”
Suzanne Schulting confirms her status as the best short track speed skater on the planet with victory in the women's 1500m. © ISU
A mistake in the 2000m mixed relay did cost the Netherlands the perfect day, though. Republic of Korea won gold, with Belgium getting silver and Canada bronze.
Racing resumes on Sunday with the second round of 1000m races, the 500m races and the 5000m final.
For all information about the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series, please visit webpage here.
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.