In the men's 5000 metres relay, Canada's team of Pascal Dion, Steven Dubois, Charles Hamelin and Jordan Pierre-Gilles crossed the line in 6 mins 51.925 secs to steal victory from favourites and World Cup leaders The Netherlands in heat three.

The two teams still qualify to the semi-finals, however.

Russia and Italy were superior in heat one with times of 6:58.972 and 6:59.371.

Kazakhstan missed out on the next round by just over half a second in a thrilling heat two finish.

South Korea topped the table after 7:00.725 with Japan following 0.176secs later and Kazakhstan clocking 7:01.478.

It was even tighter in heat four.

China ran out as winners with a time of 6:58.451, with a 6:58.501 finish seeing Hungary secure the second qualification spot while the United States' 6:59.696 saw them eliminated.

South Korea's quartet of Kim Lang, Kim Ji-yoo, Lee Yu-bin and Park Ji-yun set the women's fastest 3000m relay time in 4:11.561 while Italy's 4:13.242 was more than enough to take second place.

Kazakhstan came in over seven seconds later before Britain then finished an additional six seconds after that.

World Cup leaders and favourites China were disqualified to leave them bottom of heat two.

Meanwhile, Russia blitzed the competition to top the table while Hungary came in four seconds after.

Led by the Kikuchi sisters - Moemi, Sumire and Yuki - as well as Shione Kaminaga, Japan won the third heat in 4:15.863.

The Netherlands then claimed the last remaining qualification place.

In heat four, Poland fell to a similar fate as China and was disqualified.

Canada and the United States went through to the next round.