A combination of high-class, finely tuned Skaters, super quick conditions and the motivation of chasing a historic new prize - the ISU World Cup Short Track Crystal Globe Trophy - set to make this ISU World Cup Short Track event in Salt Lake City, 4-6 November 2022, a meet to remember.
It is no coincidence that five of the current 11 senior Men’s and Women’s Short Track Speed Skating world records were set at the Utah Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City (USA) - the venue for the upcoming World Cup. The perfect ice and the 1,425m altitude are both key, as perhaps is the rarefied atmosphere of a city steeped in Olympic history.
Three of those lining up for the second World Cup weekend of the 2022/23 season know just what it is like to stamp their names in the history books.
Back in 2016, the then 18-year-old Choi Min Jeong (KOR) flew round the Utah Olympic Oval in two minutes, 14.354 seconds in an extraordinary 1500m. It is a world-leading mark that still stands today.
Minjeong Choi (KOR) competes in the womens 1000 meter heats during the 2022 ISU World Cup Short Track in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. © ISU
And with the Korean looking like she is edging towards similarly ground-breaking form, and her Dutch rival, Suzanne Schulting, picking up exactly where she left off last season, it is one record that could well be under threat.
Suzanne Schulting (NED) competes during the 2022 ISU World Cup Short Track in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. © Getty Images
Two other Skaters who will also be gratefully delving into their Olympic Oval memory banks are Kim Boutin (CAN) and Sjinkie Knegt (NED). Despite boasting six Olympic medals between them neither racer made the individual podium at the season-opening World Cup event in Montreal, with only Knegt reaching a final (in the Men’s 1500m).
However, the last time Boutin strapped on her skates for a World Cup in Salt Lake City, in November 2019, she recorded the fastest ever Women’s 500m. Knegt set the Men’s record in the same distance and at the same venue three years earlier.
Kim Boutin of Canada celebrates after winning the ladies' 500 meter final during the ISU World Cup Short Track at Utah Olympic Oval on November 3, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. © ISU
With Boutin among several Skaters to have taken extra time off last summer following the gruelling Olympic season, and Knegt still finding his way back to top form after his horror-run of injuries, the signs might suggest both will struggle to regain former heights this coming weekend. But history can often be a more reliable guide.
Sjinkie Knegt (NED) reacts after winning the Men's 1000m Final B during the 2021 ISU World Cup Short Track in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.© ISU
Young guns firing already
At the other end of the age and experience scale, Xandra Velzeboer (NED) looks primed and ready to make her own mark in the record books. The Dutchwoman is rivaling compatriot Schulting on current form – quite a statement for any Skater, let alone a 21-year-old. Velzeboer promptly followed up her first World Cup individual gold medal, won in the 1000m(1) in Montreal, with a second a day later in the 500m.
Xandra Velzeboer (NED) competes during the 2022 ISU World Cup Short Track in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.© ISU
She and Schulting already stand clear at the top of the World Cup classification, as the new ISU World Cup Short Track Crystal Globe Trophy glitters in the distance.
Velzeboer’s fellow 21-year-old Roberts Kruzbergs (LAT) showed a new season is a time for new names, especially one following an Olympic Winter Games. The youngster threw off the weight of history to claim gold in the Men’s 1000m(1) in Montreal, the first World Cup medal of any color won by a Latvian skater.
Roberts Kruzbergs (LAT) celebrates after finishing first in the men's 1000 meter final during the 2022 ISU World Cup Short Track in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. © ISU
Teun Boer (NED) was a third 21-year-old to shine in the season opener, taking bronze behind Kruzbergs. Watching how these youngsters progress through the season is set to be a real highlight.
Canada/Korea rivalry as strong as ever
While a number of established Short Track stars laid down their markers in Montreal, Canadian pair Steven Dubois and Pascal Dion may have taken their time to emerge as regular medal contenders but both are now undoubtedly threats every time they lace up their skates.
Similarly, the Koreans quietly made sure no sane person would underestimate their enduring skill and talent. Both the Men’s and Women’s teams won an impressive six individual medals in Montreal, with further Korean glory for the Men’s and Mixed Relay squads, who both won their respective titles.
Veterans Park Ji Won and Shim Suk Hee led the way. Park took a dominant gold in the Men’s 1500m while Shim, the overall Women’s World Champion in 2014, looked back to her best, claiming the full house of gold in the Mixed Relay, silver in the 1000m(1) and bronze in the 500m.
Ji Won Park (KOR) competes during the 2022 ISU World Cup Short Track in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.© ISU
The Women and Men will contest two 500m races, the 1000m and the 1500m, before combining for the Mixed Gender 2000m Relay in Salt Lake City. There will also be a Women’s 3000m Relay and a Men’s 5000m Relay. Do not miss any of them.
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.