THE HAGUE - Chinese speed skaters Han Mei and Ning Zhongyan both secured bronze medals in their respective 1,500m events on the opening day of the ISU Speed Skating World Cup final in Heerenveen on Friday.

In the women's 1,500m, Han clocked one minute and 54.52 seconds to finish third behind Japan's Miho Takagi (1:53.99) and Dutch skater Joy Beune (1:53.70), who took gold in front of a home crowd at the Thialf ice arena.

"I didn't expect to be able to get a third place. Today was good," Han said.

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A runner-up finish was enough for Takagi to clinch the 2024-25 season's World Cup title in the distance, yet the Olympic champion was disappointed not being able to stand on top of the podium in Heerenveen.

"I wanted to win the last World Cup race here in Thialf. It's a disappointment and I'm a little frustrated, but it also gives me motivation for the World Single Distance Championships in March," the 30-year-old confessed.

On the men's side, Ning delivered a strong performance to claim bronze in 1:44.38. Norway's Peder Kongshaug took gold with a time of 1:44.01, while his compatriot Sander Eitrem secured silver in 1:44.21.

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Despite dominating the 1,500m all season, American star Jordan Stolz had to settle for fifth place. However, his previous victories ensured he still topped the final World Cup standings in the distance. Ning finished the season ranked fourth.

In the 500m events, local favorite Femke Kok thrilled the Dutch fans by winning the women's race with a time of 37.05 seconds. South Korea's Kim Min-sun took silver in 37.65 seconds, and American Erin Jackson secured bronze in 37.71 seconds.

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The men's 500m saw another Dutch victory, with Jenning de Boo clinching gold in 34.18 seconds. Stolz finished closely behind in 34.27 seconds to take silver, while Kazakhstan's Yevgeniy Koskhin earned bronze with a time of 34.30 seconds.

The competition continues on Saturday with the men's and women's 1,000m races, alongside the women's 3,000m and men's 5,000m events.