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MARQUETTE -- The sound of skates hitting the ice, the rush as skaters pass in the last lap to win the medal.  It's what fans of speedskating wait for, and this weekend they're getting a pre-Olympic taste of the best skaters in the world.

Some came to cheer on their favorites, like Apolo Anton Ohno.

For others it was a matter of national pride, like Jing Zhou, who moved from China to Marquette six years ago.  While Jing doesn't have a favorite skater, she bought tickets to the World Cup in Marquette to root for all the Chinese athletes.

"I was at the last World Cup here," said Zhou.  "So, I'm really excited to see the Chinese team compete with all the other countries."

Other fans traveled from far distances to watch the short track speedskating events.  Like Saturday's fastest fan, Jordan Malone, a U.S. speedskater who was injured two weeks ago, but still traveled from Salt Lake City to Marquette to cheer on his team.

"It's the camaraderie that gets these guys along in these races," said Malone, "so it's good for me and them."

He's also watching closely since the results will determine if he can skate in the Vancouver Olympics.

"I have to sit there and watch my teammates, the ones who are filling in for me, try and qualify my spot for me," he said.  "So, if they don't race well, then I'm done.  So, last night, watching the relay was a big deal because we had to make top eight in the relay to skate in the games."

NMU students were also encouraged to adopt a country this weekend.  The loudest and best dressed group will win a pizza party.

"They wear team colors and bring team posters," said NMU student Drew Janego.  "Pretty much if I can hear them cheering, they get points.  Pretty much anything you can think of."

And for the local fans, the World Cup was a chance to see future Olympians skate before the Winter Games in February.