Inzell, Germany

#SpeedSkating

The Netherlands and Russia dominated at the first two Junior World Cup events of the season in Inzell (GER) on 27-28 November and 4-5 December. Evelien Vijn (NED) collected five gold medals over the course of the two weekends to anchor the Dutch to lead the medal ranking in the Junior category, while Irina Kuznetsova (RUS) won the same amount to lift Russia to the top of the neo-seniors table.

Evelien Vijn medal GettyImages 1357311970

Evelien Vijn (NED) © International Skating Union (ISU)

Vijn indomitable in long distances

Vijn won the 3000m, the 1500m and the Mass Start in the first weekend and added two golds (3000m, Mass Start) and a silver a week later. Going into the World Cup final at Innsbruck on 22-23 January, the 19-year-old Dutch prodigy leads the World Cup ranking in all three distances.

Vijn’s closest rival in the Women’s long distances is compatriot Jade Groenewoud, who won 1500m gold in the second weekend and collected a total of one gold and three silvers over the two World Cups.

Pien Smit (NED) ruled the Women’s sprint distances, winning both the 500m and 1000m races over the two weekends.

Joep Wennemars main GettyImages 1357358669

Joep Wennemars (NED) © International Skating Union (ISU)

Like father like son

In the Men’s competition, Joep Wennemars followed in the footsteps of his father and two-time World Sprint Champion Erben Wennemars. The youngster won a total of seven medals over the two weekends (two gold, three silver and two bronzes). With golds in the Mass Start and the 1000m, silvers in the 1500m, and bronzes in the 500m, Wennemars showed his versatility. He leads the World Cup ranking in the 1000m.

Wennemars’ Dutch teammate Tim Prins leads the 1500m ranking, while Norway’s Sigurd Henriksen tops the 3000m standings, having won gold and silver in the distance.

Nil Llop is one of Wennemars’ strongest rivals, but the Spanish talent skated only the first of the two Junior World Cups because he traveled to Salt Lake City to compete in the B Division of the Senior World Cup during the second Inzell weekend. During the first weekend, Llop, who became the first Spanish athlete in any sport to claim a medal at the Winter Youth Olympic Games when he took silver in the 500m at Lausanne 2020, beat Wennemars to win the Men’s 1000m.

Irina Kuznetsova GettyImages 1357319818

Irina Kuznetsova (RUS) © International Skating Union (ISU)

Kuznetsova strong in neo-seniors

Russia’s Irina Kuznetsova reigned supreme in the neo-senior category, winning a silver and a gold in the 500m, as well as golds in both the 1000m and the 1500m.

Italy’s Laura Peveri was strong in the long distances during the second weekend, winning the neo-seniors 3000m and Mass Start, while taking silver in the 1500m. The Italian leads the Mass Start World Cup.

Taran (RUS) strong in long distances

Russian Pavel Taran, who claimed 2020 Youth Olympic silver in the 1500m and bronze in the Mass Start, was strong in the neo-senior long distance events, building upon a forgotten endurance tradition in Russia.

The 19-year-old won a gold and a silver in both the 3000m and the 1500m, a silver in the Mass Start and a bronze in the 1000m. He leads the 1500m World Cup ranking and shares the top spot in the 3000m standings with Norway’s John Granli, who won a gold, a silver and a bronze medal.

About ISU Junior World Cup Speed Skating Series

Since the inaugural Junior World Cup in in 2008/09 many youngsters have had their first taste of international competition in Junior World Cup events. The format is comparable to the Senior World Cup Speed Skating Series, but the juniors only have three events in the whole season.

The first two Junior World Cups will be held in Inzell (27-28 November and 4-5 December), and the final will be held at Innsbruck on 22-23 January.

Participation is open to Junior A and Junior B Skaters, born between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2006 as per ISU Rule 108, and to Junior C Skaters born between July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007, based on achievement of applicable qualifying times (see ISU Communication No. 2430, paragraph 2 d) and 4.3).

In 2016 a neo-senior World Cup was added to the Junior World Cup Series. Participation in the Neo-seniors division is open to Skaters born between July 1, 1998 and June 30, 2002.

For further information please visit https://www.isu.org/speed-skating/events/junior-world-cup-speed-skating.