The ISU Short Track World Cup campaign will come to a close in the Belarusian capital, with the event scheduled to begin tomorrow and conclude on Sunday (February 12).

Several leading athletes have decided not to compete in Minsk, with the World Short Track Championships in Rotterdam looming next month.

Marianne St-Gelais of Canada leads the way in the women’s 500 metres distance but could be usurped by her challengers as she will not participate.

Britain’s Elise Christie, who was due to return to the World Cup circuit last weekend in Dresden but was a late withdrawal because of injury, is best positioned to capitalise on St-Gelais’ absence as she currently lies in second place.

Christie has three wins to her name this season and a fourth could be enough to hand her the overall victory.

The Briton may end the weekend with two World Cup classification crowns to her name as she is third in the race for the women’s 1,000m title.

Seven-time world champion Choi Min-jeong occupies top spot but her absence opens the door for Christie and Suzanne Schulting of The Netherlands.

In the men’s 500m event, leader Dajing Wu of China is absent, with second-placed skater Shaolin Sandor Liu of Hungary, who is expected to take part in the season-ending event, the only athlete who can overtake him.

Shaoang Liu of Hungary is yet to win a men’s 1,000m race this season but is the overall leader and can wrap up the title with victory in Minsk.

He will be chased down by Frenchman Thibaut Fauconnet, who is currently fourth, as Kyoung Won-lim of South Korea and Canada’s Charle Cournoyer, second and third respectively, have not travelled to Minsk.

Olympic gold medallist Shim Suk-hee of South Korea will not be competing but has already sealed the women’s 1,500m crown.

Dutchman Sjinkie Knegt is guaranteed to finish at the top of the men’s 1,500m standings and will be competing only to extend his advantage.