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HARBIN, China, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The World Cup Speed Skating of the International Skating Union (ISU) kicked off here on Friday, with the participation of 240 skaters from 28 countries and regions.
The skaters are competing in the 12 events of the three-day World Cup, including those from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and the hosts.
Yu Jing of China finished third at 38.18 seconds in the opening race of the women's 500m, which was won by Nao Kodaira of Japan in 38.00 seconds, and her compatriot Maki Tsuji placed second in 38.17.
Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic won the women's 3,000m in 4:08.26, beating Dutch Marije Joling to second and Canadian Ivanie Blondin to third.
The men's 5,000m race was swept by Dutch skaters as Sven Kramer took the title in 6:21.60, followed by Jorrit Bergsma in 6:22.38 and Erik yan Kooiman in 6:26.43.
The 2016-17 ISU World Cup Speed Skating Series kicked off in Harbin on Friday, which has hosted the World Cup three times in 2004, 2006 and 2012.
After Harbin, the six leg World Cup series will travel to Nagano of Japan, Astana of Kazakhstan and Heerenveen of the Netherlands in 2016.
In January, Berlin of Germany will host the fifth leg and the World Cup final will be held in Chelyabinsk of Russia in March, 2017.
