Going full speed

Strong return of Lin

Despite the surging young skaters, Team China's biggest focus throughout the season turned out to be the triumphant return of its new member Lin Xiaojun, who was born as Lim Hyo-jun in Daegu and raced for his native South Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics, but chose to switch nationality and represent China after completing a naturalization process in 2021.

Lin was not allowed to compete at Beijing 2022, though, without spending a long enough break since he last represented Korea internationally in March 2019. According to ISU rules, athletes could only skate for their new national association at least three years after they last represented their former country.

Eligible again and hungry as ever, Lin shook off the rust quickly in his first international campaign in almost four years after he won back-to-back 500m finals at the series' last two legs in Dresden and Dutch city Dordrecht to stage a remarkable comeback.

Returning to top of the sport again after having his career stalled in uncertainty, Lin let go all the emotions following his first 500m win on Feb 5 as his tears flowed to celebrate the victory with Chinese teammates and coach Zhang.

"It's really exciting to get a medal again, after many years," said Lin, who had to move to China after he was banned by the sport's governing body in South Korea due to a legal dispute with a teammate that had jeopardized his career. "It has been a lot of hard work and I have earned it after so much time out," the 26-year-old told the ISU website after the 500m final. "We have a good young team in China and we are looking forward to going toward the end of the season and trying to do well. I feel very happy."

After recovering from a back injury early in the season, Lin proved he still has the skill and power that had helped him win 1,500m gold at the 2018 Olympics and three more titles at the 2019 worlds by racing fiercely free of pain at the final two legs, giving the team high hopes in the buildup to the 2026 Olympics.

"He is still on top of the world in speed, reaction and overtaking, and he will only get better with more races to go," coach Zhang said of Lin's return.

"His performance at the Cup series will help further build his confidence and benefit the training program in the next stage."