On October 24, the third leg of the 2024-2025 China Cup Short Track Speed Skating Elite League kicked off in Changchun. Nearly 300 athletes from 31 teams across China are competing for a chance to qualify for higher-level events.
The China Cup Short Track Speed Skating Elite League is currently the highest-level and largest short track speed skating league in the country. Races include men’s and women’s events of 500 meters, 1000 meters, and 1500 meters, as well as women’s 3000-meter relay, men’s 5000-meter relay, and mixed 2000-meter relay.
The organizers noted that this league is crucial for preparing for the Milan Winter Olympics and assessing the effectiveness of team training. The top 50 all-around athletes in three of the five competitions will earn a spot at the country’s premier short track speed skating event, the National Championships.
The competition features two groups: A and B. Athletes compete in a six-lap challenge on ice, with the top 40 advancing to Group A and those ranked 41 to 100 entering Group B. After each event, the bottom three in Group A will be relegated to Group B, while the top three in Group B will be promoted to Group A.
Among the participants, 18-year-old Zhao Shiqiang from Jilin easily advanced to the second round. He acknowledged his strong endurance, stating that he excels in long-distance events and relays, having won numerous national championships. Zhao hopes to enhance his competitive skills through this league and dreams of stepping onto the world stage soon.
Liu Aidi, head coach of the Henan Short Track Speed Skating Team, shared that the region has a solid foundation in roller skating and a strong talent pool. As interest in short track speed skating grows, more newcomers are shifting to this discipline. He aims to gain valuable training and competition insights from Jilin during this league.
Li Li, director of the Training and Competition Department at the Jilin Province Sports Bureau’s Ice Sports Management Center, emphasized that the national league not only assesses the training results of local teams but also serves as an important opportunity for high-level athletes to push their limits and build confidence. He noted that this is a critical step toward competing on the world stage.
The league consists of five events, with the fourth leg also taking place in Changchun. The series will conclude with its final event in Harbin in mid-November.
