View source for ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating

== Overview ==

The [[ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating]] is an annual series of international short track speed skating competitions, organized by the [[International Skating Union]] (ISU). The World Cup series was first held in the 1997-1998 season and has been a regular fixture on the international speed skating calendar ever since. The series consists of a number of competitions held throughout the winter season in various countries around the world.

[[Image:Detail-61520.jpg|thumb|center|Short track speed skaters in action during a race.|class=only_on_mobile]]
[[Image:Detail-61521.jpg|thumb|center|Short track speed skaters in action during a race.|class=only_on_desktop]]

== Structure of the World Cup ==

Each World Cup event includes races in various distances for both men and women. These distances include the 500 meters, 1000 meters, 1500 meters, and the relay races (5000 meters for men and 3000 meters for women). Each individual event at a World Cup competition is structured as a knockout tournament, with skaters competing in heats, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.

== Scoring and Rankings ==

In the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating, points are awarded to skaters based on their finishing positions in each race. The skater with the highest total number of points at the end of the season is declared the overall World Cup champion for that distance. There are also separate rankings for the relay events, with the team accumulating the most points over the season declared the World Cup relay champions.

== Venues ==

The World Cup series is held in a variety of venues around the world, typically in countries with a strong tradition of speed skating. These have included countries such as Canada, the United States, China, South Korea, and various European nations. Each venue provides a unique challenge to the skaters, with variations in ice quality, altitude, and crowd atmosphere all playing a part in the competition.

== Notable Skaters and Records ==

Over the years, the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating has seen many notable performances from some of the world's top speed skaters. These athletes have set numerous World Cup and world records, and their achievements have helped to raise the profile of short track speed skating as a sport.

== See Also ==

[[ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships]]
[[Speed skating at the Winter Olympics]]
[[List of world records in short track speed skating]]

[[Category:Speed skating competitions]]
[[Category:International Skating Union competitions]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1997]]