The adrenaline was palpable on the first day of the International Skating Union (ISU) Speed Skating World Cup in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as athletes pushed their limits and shattered four track records.
In a stunning performance, 20-year-old American sensation Jordan Stolz dominated the men's 1,000-meter race, clocking an impressive 1:06.16 to claim the gold medal. Stolz's remarkable speed didn't stop there; he currently leads the World Cup standings in the men's 500-meter, 1,000-meter, and 1,500-meter events, marking him as a formidable contender this season.
The women's 1,000-meter race saw Japanese favorite Miho Takagi surge to victory with a time of 1:13.56, breaking the previous track record. Takagi's fierce competition included Brittany Bowe of the United States, who secured silver, and Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong from the Netherlands, who earned bronze.
Long-distance events were equally thrilling. Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida edged out Norway's Ragne Wiklund by just 0.13 seconds to win the women's 3,000-meter title with a time of 3:54.73. On the men's side, Sander Eitrem of Norway not only won the 5,000-meter race but also set a new track record and personal best of 6:04.74.
The competition also featured strong showings from athletes representing the Chinese mainland. Lian Ziwen finished 12th in the men's 1,000-meter with a time of 1:08.28, while Yang Binyu placed 11th in the women's 300-meter race, clocking in at 4:01.63. Wu Yu concluded the men's 5,000-meter final in 15th place.
As the World Cup event continues through Sunday, fans eagerly await the upcoming races on Saturday, where the 500-meter and 1,500-meter titles will be decided. With such electrifying performances, the Milwaukee competition promises to deliver more unforgettable moments in the world of speed skating.
Reference(s):
4 track records refreshed at ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Milwaukee
cgtn.com
