Germany to Race Japan for Gold in Women’s Speed Skating Team Pursuit

Germany beat the U.S. while Japan beat Polan to set up the medal rounds in women’s speed skating team pursuit.

Daniela Anschutz Thoms, Stephanie Beckert and Anna Friesinger-Postma of Team Germany beat the U.S. in ladies' team pursuit speed skating at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Defending champs Germany narrowly defeated the Americans while Japan handily dispatched the Polish team to set up the medal rounds in women’s speed skating team pursuit.

Women’s speed skating team pursuit is a new Olympic sport, first contested in Turin in 2006. It pits two teams of three head-to-head for eight laps of the course. Each skater must lead for at least one lap, and the winning time is determined by the last skater of the team to cross the line.