The ISU Speed Skating World Cup is a series of international
speed skating competitions, organised annually by the
International Skating Union since the winter of
1985–86. Every year during the winter season, a number of competitions on different distances and on different locations are held. Skaters can earn points at each competition, and the skater who has the most points on a given distance at the end of the series is the winner. Initially not very popular with skaters nor spectators, the World Cup has gradually become more and more popular, and this was due to the creation of the
World Single Distance Championships. The results of the separate distances in the World Cup ranking are the main qualifying method for the World Single Distance Championships.
The number of races per season per distance varies, but it is usually between five and ten. Ten World Cup titles are awarded every season, five for men (the 500 m, the 1000 m, the 1500 m, the combined 5000 m / 10000 m, and the team pursuit), and five for women (the 500 m, the 1000 m, the 1500 m, the combined 3000 m / 5000 m, and the team pursuit).
The
team pursuit was added to the World Cup in the
2005–06 season. Between the seasons
2003–04 and
2008–09, the 100 m was also contested for men and women, but this category is now defunct.
The
mass start was re-introduced for both women and men in the World Cup in
Astana in 2011.
Overall World Cup winners
Men
Source: SpeedSkatingStats.com
*Medals:
Women
Source: SpeedSkatingStats.com
*Medals:
Most World Cup victories
The skaters with the highest number of individual World Cup victories as of 19 February 2023. Active skaters in bold.
Men
Source: SpeedSkatingStats.com
Women
Source: SpeedSkatingStats.com
All-time medal count
See also
*
ISU Junior World Cup Speed Skating The ISU Junior World Cup Speed Skating is a series of international long track speed skating matches, organised yearly by the International Skating Union. It is the second most important competition for juniors, behind the World Junior Speed Skating ...
Cup Ranking - Country Medal Table *
World Speed Skating Championships
References
{{ISU Speed Skating World Cup seasons
International speed skating competitions
Recurring sporting events established in 1985
Speed skating
International Skating Union competitions