SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATING: Australia’s fastest short trackers are off and racing towards the single male spot on the Australian Olympic Team for PyeongChang 2018.
The first day of the Olympic selection trials in Melbourne saw Andy Jung come out on top in both the 500m and 1500m events.
Australia has secured one male quota in short track speed skating for PyeongChang 2018 in the two distances, and four of the nation’s speedsters are battling it out for the elusive spot.
20-year-old Jung, who secured Australia’s quota place for the Games during the World Cup season, won the 1500m by a solid margin over teammate and Sochi Olympian Pierre Boda, but only just pipped Boda on the line in the 500m event.
Keanu Blunden came in third for both events, with Liam O’Brian in fourth.
At the end of the first day, Jung is leading the Olympic selection trial on a total of 68 points ahead of Boda on 42, Blunden on 26 and O’Brien on 16.
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President of Australian Ice Racing Incorporated, Frank Anderson, said the first day of trials “went as expected.”
“Andy dominated all three events today,” Anderson said. “He looked comfortable and at ease at the front of the pack and there were no road blocks put in his way.
“There are obviously two more races to go tomorrow, but they are likely to be another strong performance.”
The Olympic trials at the O’Brien Group Arena in Docklands this week doubles as the selection event for the 2018 Montreal Short Track World Championships, where there are two male Australian spots up for grabs across three events: 500m, 1000m and 1500m.
Jung hit the trifecta when he also took out the 1000m race today, with Blunden in second, just ahead of Boda in third.
“Andy’s performance today not only puts him in a good place for the Olympic Games but he is a clear leader for the two World Championships spots,” Anderson said.
“For the second place, Pierre and Keanu are on very close points so that will make it interesting for day two of the trials.”
“Liam has also come a really long way this season. We have about seven young skaters vying for a spots at the Senior and Junior World Championships next year and another 12 strong skaters in the back who are starting to come through.
“This is a very exciting and promising time for short track in Australia.”
Jung, Boda, Blunden and O’Brian will return to the ice tomorrow for the second round of racing, with the skater who has accumulated the most points in the 500m and 1500m events to be nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee for the PyeongChang Games.
The national championships will then kick off on Friday and run through the weekend with 120 skaters expected to compete for the Australian titles. The Championships will be live streamed HERE.
Georgia Thompson
olympics.com.au