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Angel Daleman (NED) in action in the Speed Skating Women’s 500m at the Gangneung Oval. @OIS/Bob Martin

Whirlwind on the ice: Daleman (NED) navigates highs and lows of Short Track at Gangwon 2024

Short Track can be a cruel sport at times, you only have to ask Angel Daleman (NED).

The Dutch skater was looking to win medals in two different disciplines at the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 on Monday, but crashed out of the Women’s Short Track 500m semi-final only a couple of hours after winning gold in the Speed Skating 500m final.

In a fast-paced race, Daleman lost her balance after colliding with Chung Jaehee (KOR) while attempting to defend her position. The Dutch skater ended up in the crash barriers and was put in the B Final, which she decided to sit out.

"I had to switch from one sport to the other quickly today. That went better than I thought it would. That’s something I’m very happy about,” Daleman said.

 

"The day started great with my 500m gold in Speed Skating, but it didn’t finish the way I wanted it to obviously.”

 

"I do see there’s a lot of potential for me in Short Track. It’s not that I get beaten by a big difference or anything. I really was in with a chance for a medal here. But I just made a silly mistake.”

 

“I started quite well, went to (position) two. I had the feeling I was in the right position. The Korean (Chung Jaehee) then stopped accelerating. I felt I was stuck behind her a bit."

 

“It’s a 500 meter, so I didn’t wanted to take big risks. But I really should have taken a bigger lead over the Korean skater. It is what it is.” 

Anna Falkowska (POL) reacts after winning gold in the Short Track Speed Skating Women’s 500m at the Gangneung Ice Arena. @OIS/Chloe Knott

In the A final, Anna Falkowska (POL) produced a burst of energy to upset the hosts, beating Kang Minji (KOR) and Chung Jaehee (KOR) into second and third place respectively. And by doing so Falkowska won Poland's first-ever medal at a Winter Olympics in Short Track.

The final day of Short Track racing at Gangwon 2024 is set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday), with the Mixed Team Relay to be contested. It will also give Daleman one more opportunity to complete her mission.

Impressive talent in the sport

Earlier in the morning, the 16-year-old Daleman demonstrated she is a force to be reckoned with, and for years to come.

Daleman was the last pair to chase down the leading time set by Jung Huidan (KOR) in the Women’s Speed Skating 500m. She powered her way into victory in a time of 39.28 seconds, relegating Jung into second place (39.64). Sasabuchi Waka (JPN) had to settle for bronze by the finest of margins (39.65).

As a long-time Speed Skating powerhouse, the Netherlands continues to churn out impressive talent in the sport. And Daleman, being the youngest ever Allround World Junior Champion, surely fits that billing.

“I’m very happy with this one,” she said after the Speed Skating 500m final. “I felt quite strong today and I knew I could win, but you do still have to show it of course.”

 

Asked about her chances of repeating such a performance, Daleman said: "I have to start from nothing again. This race has been quite heavy on the legs as well. I can definitely tell. And the 500m distance in Short Track is always so unpredicatble. Anything can happen."

And she turned out to be right. 

A blazing start by Sonnekalb

Elsewhere, Finn Sonnekalb (GER) set a blazing pace in the Men’s Speed Skating 500m to secure gold in 36.61 seconds ahead of silver medalist Miika Johan Klevstuen (NOR) in 36.79 and Shin Seonung (KOR), who bagged bronze with a time of 37.13.

“This is incredible. I’m so excited. I lost my words”, Sonnekalb said after the final. “It was very hard to keep the corners, but I got it. I won the gold medal.”

 

“I stood there and saw the time from Klevstuen and thought: ‘Oh my God, it’s very fast’. I knew the ice was not the best today, but I know I’m good and have trained hard. I thought I could get it, and I did.”

Finn Sonnekalb (GER) celebrates after finishing first in the Speed Skating Men’s 500m at the Gangneung Oval. @Bob Martin

Historic mark for the United States

In the Men’s Short Track 500m final, Sean Boxiong Shuai (USA) took the lead and never relinquished his place up front. Zhang Xinzhe (CHN) claimed silver, with Dominik Gergely Major (HUN) grabbing bronze. It is the United States' first-ever gold in this sport at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

"I’m excited. It still hasn’t fully processed in my head yet, it’s just super surprising. I didn’t think I’d get a gold medal, so I’m just like ‘wow’, you know. It’s a real experience," Shuai said after the final.

"We’ve had a great history before 2014 and after that, it kind of fizzled down a bit, but I think we’re slowly coming back with the help of our national team coaches. We’re slowly starting to make a comeback. We’re getting more medals in World Cups and hopefully in the Olympics, too.”

The Speed Skating competition at the Gangneung Oval continues tomorrow (Tuesday) with the Men’s and Women’s 1500m. Full schedule.

You can watch the live stream of the competitions here.