Japan's Tomonori Kawata dashed to victory in the inaugural World Cup 100-meter speed skating event on Friday while Olympic double medalist Hiroyasu Shimizu took third.
![News photo](/images/photos2003/sp20030112a3a.jpg)
Kawata outpaced the field in the men's race at the Utah Olympic Oval crossing in 9.44 seconds in the event, which is the shortest distance ever introduced at a World Cup after 500 meters.
"I'm happy. This will help me get ready for the 500 meters, so I give myself a passing grade. I still don't think of the 100 as one of the main events in the sport yet," Kawata said.
Shimizu, who owns the world record in the 500, clocked a time of 9.51 for third behind Canadian Mark Nielsen (9.45).
Russia's Svetlana Zhurova won the women's 100 in 10.31.