Korea and China lead the steel city hosted Speed Skating Championships

Female racers line up for the short track race in Sheffield (11/3/11)

The World Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2011 took place in Sheffield, this weekend at the Sheffield Motorsport Arena ice rink. A total of 31 countries took part and more than 200 racers competed; Korea and China were most dominant, with skaters earning both the ladies’ and men’s titles.

With tight turns and short straights, there was always plenty of excitement during every race and a great opportunity for people to see the world’s best speed skaters. 

The weekend kicked off with the 1500 meter competition. Katherine Reutter took the win for the United States, finishing ahead of a pair of Korean skaters: Seung-Hi Park (second) and Ha-Ri Cho (third). On the men’s side, Noh took on challenge by taking the first of three individual wins of the championships for Korea.

Saturday’s program displayed the 500 meter events for the ladies and men. Three Chinese skaters and one Italian skater made it to the final in the ladies event. Kexin Fan took the win, ahead of Arianna Fontana of Italy. On the men' side, American skater Simon Cho took the win.

These championships finished on Sunday with skaters competing in the 1000 meters, 3000 meters Super Finals and relay events for both the ladies and men. In the ladies’ 1000 meter event, Ha-Ri Cho took the win, for Korea. In the men’s 1000 meter event, eventual championship winner Noh took his second distance win of the weekend. Charles Hamelin took second place, while Liang of China took third.  

By Rob Weitz