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Pan Baoshuo (CHN) and Liu Yunqi (CHN) skate holding their national flag after finishing first in the Speed Skating Mixed Relay Final at the Gangneung Oval. @OIS/Bob Martin
China wins dramatic Speed Skating Mixed Relay gold with a photo finish in maiden event at Gangwon 2024
With skaters trying to steer away from the chaos on the ice during the first-ever Speed Skating Mixed Relay at the Youth Olympic Winter Games, China’s Liu Yunqi (CHN) and Pan Baoshuo (CHN) navigated to gold in a dramatic photo finish.
Pan edged out Heo Seok (KOR) at the finish line, putting his skate just in front to finish 0.04 seconds ahead of the Republic of Korea (Seok and Lim Leewon).
When Liu saw her teammate Pan crossing the line, she was not yet sure if the gold medal was theirs. “At first we didn’t realize we got the gold," she said after the final. “It was only until we got to see the screen.”
“We trained together for the first time yesterday. We agreed to stay calm during the race to try and avoid crashing. I’m just really happy we did it.”
The Mixed Relay, in which teams of one man and one woman compete, has been part of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating program since the start of the season - and now made its Olympic debut at Gangwon 2024.
The transitions during the race were fascinating to watch and had the crowd at the Gangneung Oval on the edge of their seats.
The incoming skaters have to find a way to manoeuvre around each other on the ice and slide into position right in front of their teammates, who then have to keep the momentum going when being pushed forward.
Asking for advice
With most skaters not having a lot of experience when it comes to this style of racing, Korean skater Heo went to his roommate Kim Yousung (KOR), who won bronze in the Men’s Short Track Speed Skating 1500m at Gangwon 2024, for advice.
“I share a room with him at the Youth Olympic Village, so we became good friends in a short time,” Heo said after the final.
“I asked him about how to skate well in the Mass Start and Mixed Relay, and he advised me to increase my speed while cornering. It was very helpful.”
“I’ve experienced this event at the Junior World Cup,” Korean teammate Lim added. “But it was the first time for Heo. So we had a bit of difficulties at first, but I’m thankful that he did great in the competition.”
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Liu Yunqi (CHN) leads Angel Daleman (NED), Lim Leewon (KOR) and Kojima Kaede (JPN) after the changeover. @OIS/Bob Martin
Dutch duo let gold slip away
Elsewhere, Angel Daleman (NED) missed out on adding another title to her medal cabinet, having already won gold in the Women’s 1500m and 500m.
Daleman teamed up with Sem Spruit (NED) and they were in the lead with two laps to go, but a mistake in changeover zone saw the Dutch duo fall back into third position.
“He was too late and then it went wrong,” Daleman said after the final, laughing at Spruit, both contempt with bronze. “Everybody is everywhere. Also with the transitions, it’s just super chaotic. You really have to watch out. We do talk as well when we try to position ourselves, but that’s not an easy task.”
“It was difficult to prepare because she (Angel) had a busy schedule here,” Spruit added. “This morning we managed to do some preparations. The fact that no one knows what to do is the fun of it [laughs].”
Racing continues tomorrow with the Women's and Men's Mass Start at the Gangneung Oval. Full schedule is here.
You can watch the live stream of the competitions here.
