Kazakhstan's Abzal Azhgaliyev impressed on day one in Salt Lake City ©Getty Images

Kazakhstan's Abzal Azhgaliyev was the fastest qualifier for the quarter-finals of the men's 500 metres event on the opening day of the International Skating Union Short Track Speed Skating World Cup season in Salt Lake City.

Azhgaliyev clocked a time of 40.406sec in his heat at the Utah Olympic Oval, with Dylan Hoogerwerf of the Netherlands just behind in 40.469.

In the women's 500m, Canada's Kim Boutin qualified quickest for the quarter-finals.

The Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic bronze medallist posted a time of 42.624.

The men's and women's 1,000m heats were also held today.

South Korea's Hwang Dae-heon was the best male performer in 1:22.490, while reigning Olympic champion Suzanne Schulting of the Netherlands achieved the fastest women's time after crossing the line in 1:27.287.

Suzanne Schulting of the Netherlands was in good form today ©Getty Images
Suzanne Schulting of the Netherlands was in good form today ©Getty Images

In the men's 1,500m quarter-finals, Canada's Steven Dubois led the way with a time of 2:13.761.

Russia's Ekaterina Efremenkova set the standard in the women's equivalent, managing a time of 2:19.528.

Rounding off today's action were three relay quarter-finals.

The men's 5,000m saw the Dutch team of Daan Breeuwsma, Dennis Visser, Hoogerwerf and Itzhak de Laat qualify quickest with a time of 6:43.258.

South Korea's Choi Min-jeong, Kim Alang, Noh Ah-rum and Seo Whi-min were fastest in the women's 3,000m in 4:06.293, while Russia's Efremenkova, Evgeniya Zakharova, Pavel Sitnikov and Victor An clocked an unrivalled time of 2:37.385 in the mixed 2,000m.

Action in Salt Lake City is due to continue tomorrow.