Next February’s World Championship distances will take place in Heerenveen, the international skating association ISU reports Tuesday. The World Cup short track next year in March will be moved from Rotterdam to Dordrecht.
The World Cup distances were initially to be held in Beijing, but could not be organized in China due to the corona crisis. The tournament is scheduled from 11 to 14 February.
At that time, the international skating stop has been in Thialf for several weeks. The European Allround & Sprint Championships (16-17 January) and two World Cup competitions (22-24 and 29-31 January) will take place there at the beginning of next year.
Strict corona protocols will be used at the tournaments. The skaters enter a bubble, which should minimize the risk of contamination.
The World Championship distances will also be the last international race of the season. Due to the relocation of several matches, the World Cup final in Heerenveen (March 6-7) and the World Cup in Changchun, China (February 17-18) have been canceled. Several World Cups have already been canceled due to the corona pandemic.
Initially, the World Championship distances from 25 to 28 February were planned as a so-called test match for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The tournament was canceled due to travel restrictions to and from China.
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Suzanne Schulting is the reigning world short track champion. (Photo: Pro Shots)
World Cup short track from Rotterdam to Dordrecht
The World Championships short track are scheduled in Dordrecht from 5 to 7 March. The tournament was initially to be held in Rotterdam a week later.
The tournament has been moved from Rotterdam Ahoy to Sportboulevard Dordrecht, because the short trackers, according to ISU chairman Jan Dijkema, have to “otherwise drive in a very large empty stadium”.
Due to the corona crisis, no spectators will probably be welcome at the World Cup short track speed skating, but the organization in Dordrecht takes into account that there may be admission to the public.
Suzanne Schulting is the reigning world short track champion. The Dutch captured her first world title in Sofia in Bulgaria last year. “As an athlete, I am positive that the World Cup continues and that we can still measure ourselves with the best in the world. We now know where we stand,” said Schulting.
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