A total of 160 competitors from 23 ISU members, including reigning Olympic, world and European champions, have entered the first leg of the six-event series across North America, Asia and Europe.

The competition begins with qualification heats on the opening day, while on Saturday (November 8), qualifying sessions and repechage will continue before the men's and women's 1,000 metres and 1,500m finals, and the semi-finals in the 5,000m men's relay and the 3,000m women's relay are held.

On Sunday (November 9), the men's and women's 500m and 1,000m finals, the 5,000m men's relay final and the 3,000m women's relay final will take place.

The series is then due to move to Montreal from November 14 to 16 before continuing in Asia - Shanghai from December 12 to 14 and Seoul from December 19 to 21.

Short trackers will compete in Europe in the new year, with the fifth leg in Dresden from February 6 to 8 and the final stop in Izmir from February 13 to 15.

Russia's Victor An was the most medalled short track athlete at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi ©Getty Images



At each competition, the men's and women's relay races will take place along with the individual races, which will be held over 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m

Single distances will determine the winners with the exception of the fourth leg in Seoul where the second 1,500m race will be replaced with a 3,000 m race.

Russia's Victor An, the reigning world overall champion and most medalled short track athlete at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, headlines the men's line-up, along with 1,500m Olympic and world champion Charles Hamelin of Canada.

Strong contenders among the women include reigning world overall, 1,000m and 1,500m champion, Suk Hee Shim, and South Korean team mate Alang Kim, who holds the world 1,500m silver medal.

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