Inline Speed Skating: The heat is on at the World Skate Games 2024!

The World Skate Games 2024 have kicked off with high energy speed skating competitions, bringing together the world’s top athletes to Montesilvano, Italy.

The stands were packed, the atmosphere electric, and emotions ran high on the opening day of the speed events at the World Skate Games 2024. The morning qualifiers were crucial for breaking the ice, sizing up rivals, and getting a feel for the parabolic track.

Due to rain delays, the finals were split between the evening of day one and the early morning of today.

The usual top contenders set the pace in the 200m time trial, where mastering the perfect racing line was key to shaving off those crucial hundredths and thousandths of a second. Known for her fierce tenacity, the young Sofia Paola Chiumento , Italy, claimed a brilliant gold medal in Junior Ladies, a victory warmly celebrated by the entire Italian team. Finishing second was Colombia’s Dairy Charith Londono Cardenas, while Italy’s Carola Falco secured a well-earned third place.

In the Junior Men’s event, Colombia’s Santiago Vasquez took the win with an impressive time of 18.07. The podium was completed by Italy’s Guglielmo Lorenzoni in second and Cristian Scassellati in third. It was an unforgettable night for the Italian team!

After the rain postponed further events, the remaining finals took place this morning. The local heroes did not disappoint. In the Senior Men’s, Vincenzo Maiorca showed remarkable determination, breaking the 18-second barrier with the fastest time of 17.936. In second place, Li-Yang Kuo of Chinese Taipei, was the surprise of the race, while super star Duccio Marsilitook third, celebrating an unforgettable moment alongside his teammate Vincenzo.

The Junior skaters were honored to debut the new 5000m points race format, a fast & furious competition where only those with superior endurance and bursts of speed could secure a medal. For the Ladies event, the Colombians, with excellent teamwork, dominated the race, finishing first and second with Yicel Camila Giraldo Vasquez and Maria Paula Vivas Mendoza, while Venezuela’s Valeria Bustamante took third. In the Junior Men the race was won by the talented Metodej Jilek from Czech Republic with 14 points, while Team Chinese Taipei with Cheng-Yu Pan and Yu Ting Chung secured second and third place with a well-timed breakaway.

The 10,000m elimination race for Seniors was marked by several crashes and intense competition. In the Senior Ladies’ race, Colombia’s dynamic duo of Gabriela Rueda and Luz Karime Garzon dominated from the beginning, though they faced strong challenges from Gabriela Vargas who got third place.

The men’s race was aggressive, with numerous crashes and constant tension. The race developed into two distinct lines, leading to a lot of group tension and multiple warnings from the judges. Team Belgium’s Bart Swings and Jason Suttels set the pace, along with Colombia’s Juan Mantilla and Kevin Lenis, though Lenis was disqualified in the final laps due to faults. Italy also proved to be strong contenders, employing a strategy of conserving energy within the pack.

In the final laps, the pace became even faster, with Bart Swings leading for teammate Jason Suttels. However, Jacobo Mantilla unleashed an incredible sprint in the last meters to snatch the victory from Jason. From behind, Italy’s Giuseppe Bramante powered through to secure a nice third place.

200mt Dual Time Trial

Junior Women

🥇 Sofia Paola Chiumiento – ITA  
🥈 Dairy Londono Cardenas – COL  
🥉 Carola Falco – ITA  

Junior Men

🥇 Santiago Vasquez – COL 
🥈 Guglielmo Lorenzoni – ITA  
🥉 Cristian Scassellati – ITA 

Senior Women

🥇 Kollin Castro – COL
🥈 Asja Varani – ITA
🥉 Ivonne Nochez Gallardo – SLV

Senior Men

🥇 Vincenzo Maiorca – ITA
🥈Li-Yang Kuo – TPE
🥉 Duccio Marsili – ITA

5000mt points

Junior Women

🥇Yicel Camila Giraldo Vasquez – COL
🥈Maria Paula Vivas Mendoza – COL
🥉Daniela Bustamante – VEN

Junior Men

🥇Metodej Jilek – CZE
🥈Cheng – Yu Pan – TPE
🥉Yu Ting Chun – TPE

10000mt elimination

Senior Women

🥇Gabriela Rueda – COL
🥈Luz Karime Garzon – COL
🥉Gabriela Vargas -ECU

Senior Men

🥇 Juan Mantilla – COL
🥈Jason Suttles – BEL
🥉Giuseppe Bramante – ITA

Stay up to date with all the excitement of the World Skate Games at the official website: worldskategamesitalia2024.org

Watch the live races on Worldskate.tv