Already on stage 1 the Australian Frendo left no doubt and won the opening shortrack race in Smithfield. Frendo started the multi-day marathon race as an underdog and immediately proved that he was a force to be reckoned with. With a distance of only 38 kilometers, he gained a lead of 1:05 minutes and thus relegated the Czech Jan Fojtik to second place, followed by the Austrian Wolfgang Krenn. The Belgian Liesbeth Hessens matched Frendo and dominated the first day with a lead of 15:34 minutes. The Italian Maria Cristina Prati secured second place ahead of her countrywoman Giordana Sordi.
//Men
1. Mark Frendo (AUS) 1:30:14
2. Jan Fojtik (CZE) +1:06
3. Wolfgang Krenn (AUT) +1:38
4. Cory Wallace (CAN) +3:49
5. Steve Rankine (AUS) +4:57
//Women
1. Liesbeth Hesse (BEL) 1:53:53
2. Maria Cristina Prati (ITA) +15:34
3. Giordana Sordi (ITA) +18:11
4. Anne Mette Mortensen +2:16:48