SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Japan bettered Canada to win the women’s team pursuit for the first time in two seasons at the speed skating World Cup on Sunday.
The team of Miho Takagi, Hana Noake and Ayano Sato clocked 2 minutes, 25.13 seconds in the opening event of the season at Salt Lake City to finish 27 seconds ahead of Canada, with the United States crossing in 2:54.01 for third place.
It was the first World Cup win of the season for Takagi, who competed in the 3,000 meters on Friday rather than the 1,000 she won the 2022 Olympic gold medal in, and an underwhelming fifth-place finish in the 1,500 on Saturday.
“It was a day I could get some confidence,” the 31-year-old said.
Noake, a new entrant to the pursuit team, said the veteran’s presence helped her race well.
“I was skating solely thinking about staying right behind Miho, to not lag behind,” the 20-year-old said.
AloJapan.com