The 2024 Speed Series overall podiums were also confirmed in South Korea
Seoul produced a Chinese Speed double with both the men’s and women’s winner standing on the top step of a World Cup podium for the very first time.
In the men’s competition it was Wang Xinshang who took gold while in the women’s it was teammate and fellow golden first timer Zhou Yafei.
Zhou moved through the competition and holding her nerve when it mattered the most. Despite not winning a World Cup before, when the pressure was on Zhou was the one who rose to the top.
Beating teammate Wang Shengyan in the semi-final Zhou up against a former World Cup winner in Rajiah Sallsabillah. The Indonesian however could not repeat the success she had in Chamonix last year and had to settle for the silver medal after a slip in the final.
After winning gold with a 6.78s final race compared to her rivals 8.08s, Zhou said: “In the final race I really focused on myself. At the back of the wall, I listened to some music to try and relax and then I focused on the race. It’s my first World Cup win and I am proud of myself and my performance. I’m really happy for my country to raise the national flag and I really enjoyed the competition.”
Sallsabillah beat the Olympic silver medallist Deng Lijuan of China in her semi-final which meant that Deng had to battle teammate Wang for the bronze.
In a super close contest, it was Wang who came out on top for the bronze winning the small final by just 0.1s. Wang touched at 6.80s and Deng at 6.90s. It was also the first ever medal of Wang’s career.
Away from the final four, Indonesia’s Nurul Iqamah finished in ninth overall in what is to be her final World Cup appearance.
Full women’s Speed results here
Just like Zhou, Wang Xinshang progressed well to the final race, but in his match up it was more of a messy affair as both him and his rival for the gold, Amir Maimuratov of Kazakhstan, both slipped at different points.
Wang was the much cleaner runner of the two though and eventually won the gold medal with a time of 6.23s compared to Maimuratov’s 10.60s.
With a simple final thought Wang said: “It is my first time to win so I’m really happy, it’s a wonderful experience.”
Although just missing out on gold, silver medallist Maimuratov stood on the World Cup podium for the first time in his career by taking second place.
Maimuratov beat world champion Matteo Zurloni of Italy in the semi-final and winner Wang beat Indonesia’s Kiromal Katibin. It meant that Zurloni and Katibin would fight it out for bronze.
A clean fast race from Katibin of 4.99s secured the ninth medal of his World Cup career as Zurloni slipped and stumbled to an 8.93s time.
Such is Speed racing, Zurloni had looked good in the finals coming through ‘race of champions’ with the Olympic gold medallist Leonardo Veddriq of Indonesia. Another surprise was world record holder Samuel Watson of the USA making a flase start in the first round of finals to put him out of contention.
Just like teammate Iqamah, Indonesia’s Aspar Aspar finished his World Cup career in Seoul finishing in 14thoverall.
One place ahead in 13th was Thailand’s Aphiwit Limpanichpakdee who become the first climber from his nation to make a World Cup final.
Full men’s Speed results here
OVERALL 2024 SERIES RANKING
For the men’s 2024 Series, despite an early exit in Seoul, Olympic bronze medallist Samuel Watson still accrued enough points to secure the win and thus becoming the first American male to win a Series title.
Watson won gold at his home World Cup in Salt Lake City, USA and also in Chamonix, France on his way to the title.
World champion Matteo Zurloni just missed out on a podium finish but stood on the second step of the Series podium with consistent results throughout the year.
By winning in Seoul, Wang Xinshang moved into third overall for the year to join Zurloni and Watson on the final Series podium.
- Sam WATSON – 3185 points
- Matteo ZURLONI – 2805 points
- WANG Xinshang – 2650 points
Full men’s results can be found here
Deng Lijuan became the second Chinese women to win the overall Speed Series title with a win in Briançon, France helping her points tally.
Poland’s Natalia Kalucka took second with two silver medals during the season helping her total to secure a spot on the podium.
Jeong Jimin of South Korea also took a silver medal in 2024 which helped towards her points total and third place finish.
- DENG Lijuan – 2845 points
- Natalia KALUCKA – 2765 points
- JEONG Jimin – 2730 points
Full women’s results can be found here
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