Japan takes top two spots in World Cup speedskating

The Associated Press

December 4, 2021

KEARNS, Utah (AP) — Erin Jackson won her fourth World Cup speedskating gold medal of the season Friday, taking the 500 meters on home ice at the Utah Olympic Oval.

Skating in front of family and friends, the 29-year-old American finished in 36.809 seconds, breaking the American record of 36.90 set by Heather Richardson in a World Cup meet at the oval in 2013.

Defending Olympic champion Nao Kodaira of Japan was sixth.

In the men’s 500, Japan took the top two spots. Yamato Matsui won in 34.048 and Wataru Monshige was second at 34.091. Laurent Dubreuil of Canada was third.