Sochi, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - The Dutch speedskating trio of Jorien ter Mors, Lotte van Beek and Ireen Wust set an Olympic record Friday in the quarterfinals of the women's team pursuit.
The Dutch women crossed the finish line in 2 minutes, 58.61 seconds to claim the fourth quarterfinal heat over the United States.
Ter Mors, Wust and van Beek pulled off a medal sweep in the 1,500 earlier at these Games and have combined for six speedskating medals in Sochi, including four from Wust.
Japan, the reigning silver medalist in the team pursuit, topped South Korea in heat three to advance to Saturday's semifinals, where the Netherlands awaits.
Saturday's other semifinal will pit Russia against Poland after both teams won their respective heats on Friday.
Russia battled back to edge Canada by less than a second in the first quarterfinal heat, while Poland claimed the second heat comfortably over Norway.
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