MARQUETTE, Mich. – Si-Bak Sung of Korea recaptured his world record in the 500 meters Saturday (Nov. 14) at the four-day World Cup short track speedskating competition at the Berry Events Center, located on Northern Michigan University’s campus in Marquette, Mich. Sung broke the record during the semifinals with a time of 40.651.
Before Sung reclaimed his record, Francois-Louis Tremblay of Canada broke Sung’s former record of 41.051 three times in the rounds leading up to the finals; however, the Canadian’s fastest time of 40.684 didn’t hold up through the rest of the event.
Tremblay did, however, take the gold, winning the final in 42.437. He edged out France’s Thibaut Fauconnet, who was clocked at 43.397. Sung was third at 1:02.747. In the final, China’s Wenhao Liang was disqualified for impeding.
In reference to how the competition is proceeding, United States team leader Jack Mortell said, “All you have to do is look at the records being set here. Records keep falling and falling. This is the fastest ice on earth.”
On the women’s side, Meng Wang of China captured gold with a time of 42.961. Canadians Kalyna Roberge and Marianne St. Gelais also made it to the podium, finishing with times of 43.339 and 43.373, respectively. Katherine Reutter of the United States placed fourth (44.075) and Korea’s Ha-Ri Cho was fifth (44.507).
On the way to the finals, Reutter broke the women’s 500m American record with a time of 43.760 in the heat rounds. The former record of 43.967 was set by Maria Garcia on Nov. 29, 2008, in Beijing, China.
“It's my first time competing in the 500 ever at World Cup, so I still have so much to learn,” Reutter said. “There are lots of things I could have done differently and next time I'll do that."
In the 1,500 meters, Korea’s Jung-Su Lee captured the men’s gold medal with a time of 2:13.595. He was trailed by American Apolo Anton Ohno at 2:13.731 and Canada’s Charles Hamelin at 2:14.216.
"For me, my goal this week is that I wanted to mix it up”, said Ohno. “I wanted to make the finals and test myself against some of the other skaters, so making the podium was good. I was very happy with that."
China went one and two in the women’s 1500m, having qualified three skaters to the finals. Yang Zhou won with a time of 2:22.700. Teammate Qiuhong Liu finished close behind at 2:22.870. Korea’s Eun-Byul Lee edged out China’s LinLin Sun 2:22.919 to 2:23.530.
The World Cup competition continues at 12:30 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 15), featuring the 1,000 meters and relays for the men and women. The event is the final Olympic qualifier and final 2009 World Cup for short track skaters to earn spots in various race distances for their nations at the Winter Games. The overall winners of the 2009 World Cup circuit will be named Sunday.
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