ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing preview: Full schedule, top athletes, and how to watch live
The world's best speed skaters head to the People's Republic of China for the second stage of the 2024/25 ISU Speed Skating World Cup.
Speed Skating
Just one week has elapsed since the 2024-25 ISU Speed Skating World Cup season opened in Nagano, Japan, and we are already back into the swing of things with the second stop of the six-stage competition, this time in the People's Republic of China.
From 29 November to 1 December, the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing (the venue that staged the speed skating competitions at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022) will play host to the world's premiere speed skaters as they battle it out across 12 events.
You can find our full preview for the competition — including the event programme, athletes to keep an eye on, and how to watch all the action — below.
Speed Skating World Cup Beijing - Schedule
Friday, 29. November 2024
500m Women Division B
500m Men Division B
1500m Women Division B
1500m Men Division B
500m Women Division A
500m Men Division A
1500m Women Division A
1500m Men Division A
Saturday, 30. November 2024
1000m Women Division B
1000m Men Division B
3000m Women Division B
5000m Men Division B
1000m Women Division A
1000m Men Division A
3000m Women Division A
5000m Men Division A
Sunday, 1. December 2024
500m Women Division B
500m Men Division B
Mass Start Women Division B
Mass Start Men Division B
500m Women Division A
500m Men Division A
Mass Start Women Division A
Mass Start Men Division A
Team Sprint Women Division A
Team Sprint Men Division A
Skaters to watch
Takagi Miho
Seven-time Olympic medallist and Beijing 2022 champion in the 1000m, Takagi Miho began her World Cup defence of the 1000m and 1500m in strong fashion in Nagano last week, edging out Jutta Leerdam for the win in the former — just as she did two years ago at the Olympic Games.
The 30-year-old is seeking a third consecutive World Cup title in the 1000m and fourth consecutive (fifth total) in the 1500m, an event for which she holds the world record: 1:49.83, set in March 2019 in Salt Lake City.
While there are still five stages to go of the 2024/25 campaign, Takagi already looks a cut above her competition and the favourite for the crown in both races.
Jordon Stolz
At this rate, Jordan Stolz will quickly cement his position as a gold medal favourite in multiple events at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
The 20-year-old American powered to numerous world cup victories during the 2023-24 season before claiming the all-around world title and three individual distance world championship titles in the men’s 500m, 1000m and 1500m.
Jordan Stolz of the USA.
However, he finished as runner up to China's Zhongyan Ning in both the 1000m and 1500m in the final World Cup standings last season — two results that appear to be fuelling him in 2024, based on his stunning performances in Japan last week.
Stolz placed first in the 500m, 1000m and 1500m, setting track records in the 1000m (1:07.18) and 1500m (1:43.65) in the process.
It goes without saying that the 1000m world record holder is now one of the faces of the sport, and as such merits our attention for every race he enters throughout his burgeoning career.
World Cup Speed Skating Beijing: How to watch live
The International Skating Union (ISU) will offer live streaming of World Tour competitions (including the World Cup in Beijing) on its YouTube account with geo-blocking across several territories. Check the ISU's "where to watch" page for more information.