Speed skating is a competitive ice sport where athletes race on skates across various distances. There are three primary types: long-track, short-track, and marathon skating. The International Skating Union (ISU) is the main governing body, setting the standards and overseeing the sport worldwide. Long-track speed skating, typically held on a 400-metre oval rink, features athletes racing two at a time in a counter-clockwise direction. Short-track, on the other hand, is held on a smaller 111-metre rink, commonly used for ice hockey. In this format, four to six skaters compete in each race, with the top two advancing through heats until the final. The marathon version often occurs on natural ice over long distances.
The ISU was founded in 1892, marking the first global organisation for winter sports. Since then, speed skating has gained popularity in the Netherlands, Norway, and South Korea, among other nations. Races are held as part of a World Cup circuit, with events taking place in various countries. The Elfstedentocht in the Netherlands is a notable marathon race conducted only when ice conditions permit. When natural ice is unavailable, marathons are organised abroad, such as the Alternative Elfstedentocht, which takes place in Austria, Finland, and Canada.
The sport was introduced to the Olympics at the 1924 Winter Games in Chamonix. Long-track events have been part of the Olympics since then, while short-track events were introduced in 1992. Speed skating has various competition formats, including individual and team events. In long-track, athletes compete in pairs, changing lanes each lap to ensure they skate equal distances. Team pursuit, a newer Olympic event, involves two teams of three or four skaters racing simultaneously, with the time taken from the third skater to cross the line.
Over the years, the sport has seen numerous technological advances, including artificial ice rinks, aerodynamic suits, and clap skates, where the blade detaches slightly at the heel to allow longer strokes. These changes have improved speeds significantly. For short-track events, safety equipment like helmets and cut-resistant suits are mandatory due to the higher chance of collisions. In long-track, helmets are not required, and skaters wear clap skates designed for speed.
Long-track speed skating is usually held on a 400-metre oval track. Competitors race in pairs in counter-clockwise directions, with each skater switching between the inner and outer lanes to ensure equal distance. Long-track races are typically for individual competitors, though team events like team pursuit are included in major competitions. Team pursuit involves two teams of three or four skaters each, and the time is recorded when the third skater crosses the finish line.
Short-track speed skating takes place on a smaller, 111-metre oval track, often the size of an ice hockey rink. Unlike long-track, short-track races involve multiple skaters racing at the same time in a mass start format. Races are generally shorter, with distances ranging from 500 metres to 1500 metres in the Olympics, while relay races cover longer distances. Skaters wear helmets and protective suits due to the closer racing and higher risk of collisions.
Marathon speed skating involves long-distance races that can take place on natural ice, such as frozen canals, lakes, or rivers, or on artificial ice tracks. In the Netherlands, marathon races on natural ice are popular when conditions allow. The Elfstedentocht is a well-known marathon event held only when ice conditions permit. When natural ice is unavailable, marathon races are sometimes held in other countries with suitable conditions, like Austria and Canada.
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