The Japanese team, comprised of Miho Takagi, Ayano Sato, Nana Takagi, Ayaka Kikuchi, clocked a superb 2min 55.77sec to seal an impressive win at the Thialf Ice Arena in the Dutch city. 

The Netherlands were 3.29 seconds behind in second place and Canada came through to earn the bronze medal.

The time from the Japanese was 0.02 seconds quicker than the previous mark, set by Canada at the World Cup in Calgary in 2009.

Japanese skater Nao Kodaira had earlier clocked a track record on her way to winning the first women's 500 metres event of the season.

The world champion laid down a marker for the rest of the field in the build-up to next year's Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang with a time of 37.29sec.

Kodaira beat reigning Olympic champion Lee Sang-hwa to secure an impressive win.

Lee, winner of the 500m event at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, was forced to settle for the silver medal having finished the race in 37.60.

The bronze medal went the way of Russian Angelina Golikova.

Defending Speed Skating World Cup champion Heather Bergsma of the United States could only manage 11th.

Håvard Holmefjord Lorentzen of Norway emerged victorious in the men's 500m in 34.69.

Germany's Nico Ilhe was the recipient of the silver medal, finishing 0.09 seconds adrift.

The Netherlands' Kai Verbij earned the bronze medal.

South Korea clinched victory in the men's team pursuit in a time of 3:40.20.

Their time saw them finish in front of Norway, who took the silver medal in 3:41.28 and bronze was claimed by New Zealand.

The event in Heerenveen is due to continue tomorrow.