South Korea’s Seo Yi Ra clocked the fastest time in the men’s 500 metres heats as action begun today at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating event in Dutch city Dordrecht ©Getty Images

South Korea’s Seo Yi Ra clocked the fastest time in the men’s 500 metres heats as action begun today at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup Short Track Speed Skating event in Dutch city Dordrecht.

The overall world champion won heat six in a time of 40.870sec at the Sportboulevard.

Home favourite Daan Breeuwsma was the runner-up in 40.967 and Kazakhstan’s Denis Nikisha third in 41.101.

The times were also the three quickest overall.

The trio will contest heat two of the quarter-finals, due to feature a total of 20 skaters.

In the women’s 500m heats, Canada’s Marianne St-Gelais produced the fastest time.

She won heat three in 43.027 with Russia’s Sofia Prosvirnova second in 43.124 and France’s Selma Poutsma third in 43.390.

Canada’s Marianne St-Gelais produced the fastest time in the women's 500m heats ©Getty Images
Canada’s Marianne St-Gelais produced the fastest time in the women's 500m heats ©Getty Images

Heat six winner Choi Min Jeong of South Korea was the second quickest overall in 43.071.

Prosvirnova’s time placed her third overall.

Competition was also held today in the men’s and women’s 1,500m events with South Korea’s Park Se Yeong and Canada’s Kim Boutin leading the way in the respective heats.

Park won heat two of the men’s in 2:18.242, while Boutin took heat nine of the women’s in 2:24.690.

Twenty-two skaters will contest the men’s semi-finals with 23 competing in the women’s equivalent.

Action in Dordrecht is due to continue tomorrow.