Kodaira and Lorentzen on top of the competition on day 1 in Heerenveen

The international season in long track speed skating was launched today in Heerenveen with the first World cup races of the season.

By Jackob Savard

Photo: Schaats Foto’s

Day 1 was composed of the 500m #1, the team pursuit and the mass start semi-finals.

The day started with victories from Jan Smeekens and Brittany Bowe in the B group of the 500m. The two olympians will most likely get to the A group very quickly.  

The ladies A group 500m was won by Nao Kodaira as she finished in front of Sang Hwa-Lee from Korea and Angelina Golikov of Russia. Kodaira established the new track record with a fast time of 37.29. Norwegian star Havard Holmefjord Lorentzen  was the fastest in the men’s competition. Nico Ihle from and Kai Verbij completed the top 3.

The men’s team pursuit was won by Korea. Norway and New Zealand completed the top 3. The dutch team finished with a surprisingly low 10th position. Jorrit Bergsma did not seem in great shape and could hardly follow his teammates. The japanese team was victorious in the ladies team pursuit event finishing ahead of the Netherlands and Canada.

The majority of the mass start favorites qualified in their semi-finals and will compete in tomorrow's final.

Competition continues tomorrow with the 500m #2, 1500m and mass start finals.

You can find the complete results of the day here