Semen Elistratov was the fastest 500m qualifier as the ISU Short Track World Championships began ©Getty Images

Skaters from Russia, Hungary and The Netherlands dominated the opening day of the International Skating Union (ISU) European Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Turin today.

It comes as the tournament began in the absence of Great Britain's Elise Christie, who will not defend her overall women's title at the Palavela in the Italian city after she decided to concentrate on the World Championships.

Russia's Semen Elistratov was the fastest qualifier in the men's 500 metres after clocking a time of 41.519 sec.

Hungarian duo Viktor Knock and Shaolin Sandor Liu progressed second and third in 41.627 and 41.658.

Russia were also fastest in the men's 5,000m relay.

They clocked 6.56.524 to finish ahead of Hungary, in 6:47.634, and The Netherlands, in 6:58.986.

Liu and Knock led home a Hungarian 1-2 in 1,000m qualifying in respective times of 1:26.167 and 1:28.678.

Rianne de Vries produced one of several strong Dutch performances on the opening day of competition ©Getty Images
Rianne de Vries produced one of several strong Dutch performances on the opening day of competition ©Getty Images

Dutchman Sjinkie Knegt was the quickest over 1,500m in 2:17.731.

The Dutch team were even more successful in the women's competition.

Rianne de Vries led Yara van Kerkhof and Suzanne Schulting in a Dutch 1-2-3 in the women's 500m in respective times of 43.681, 43.827 and 44.135.

Hungary's Andrea Keszler was swiftest in the 1,000m in 1:29.871 ahead of Schulting, in 1:33.620, and de Vries, in 1:34.352.

Petra Jaszapati of Hungary was first qualifier in the 1,500m in 2:35.477.

The Netherlands then dominated the 3,000m relay to progress quickest in 4:12.476.

Hungary were second in 4:14.088 and France third in 4:18.114.

Semi-finals and finals are due to take place over the weekend.