Definition
Speed skating is a Olympic Sport on speed skates around a oval course where competitors are timed while crossing a set distance.
Description
Speed skating takes place in an oval skating rink. The skater’s skate counter clockwise. The skater that bets the other skaters and the clock wins the race. The clock is the decision maker. You have to remember that you are not racing the other skaters, you are racing the clock. There are different races! There are sprint races (500 and 1000 meters) and intermediate races (1,500 and 3,000 meters) only women are allowed to do the 3,000 meters. Grueling races are 5,000 and 10,000 meters, only men are allowed to race the 10,000 meters. Finish times range from 35 to 40 seconds in the 5,000 to a full 12 minutes for the 10,000. Each race has its own amount of laps. Speed skating does not get scored or have scoring. They base their scoring on the times.
Sprint races: 500 to 1000
500 meters: 1.25 laps
500 meters: 1.25 laps
1000 meter: 2.5 laps
Intermediate races: 1,500 to 3,000
1,500: 3.75 laps
1,500: 3.75 laps
3,000 (women only):7.5 laps
Grueling races: 5,000 to 10,000
5,000 meters: 12.5 laps
5,000 meters: 12.5 laps
10,000meters (men only):25 laps
Rules
In speed skating there is a zone where they swap lanes, they can only swap once per lap! The advantage to gain distance is to be on the inside lane the entire way. The crossing is tricky but the skater crossing from the outer lance to the inner lane always has the right-of-way. Collisions and obstructions can disqualify a skater and give the fouled skater a chance for a reskate. If you fall, you can get back up and continue in the longer races. The race is usually lost the instant you fall, but you can get up and finish the race.
Equipment
In speed skating they do not have a lot of equipment but they do use some. Clap skates are the type of skates that you wear while speed skating, clap skates are skates that the blade does not connect to the boot. Clap skates helps keep you on the ice longer and helps with the pushing power! The racers wear armbands-white for inner lance and red for the outer. This helps officials keep track of who started where. A longer blade results in faster skating. The underside of the blade is only about 1mm thick. Skaters have to wear glasses to protect skate’s eyes from the wind and ice chips. The lens of the glasses reduces the glare ad improves visibility of the track. Racing suits are required to reduce the air resistance. These suits are skin tight and have hoods.
Record Holders
*In his Nov 17, 2007 world record 5,000 m race, Sven Kramer passed the 3,000 m mark at 3:37.15 minutes. He also got the 10,000 meters in Netherlands at 12:41.69.
*Jeremy Wotherspoon in Canada had bet the record at 34.03.
*Shani Davis in United States had bet the 1000 meters at 1:06.42 and the 1500 meter at 1:06:42
*Jeremy Wotherspoon in Canada had bet the record at 34.03.
*Shani Davis in United States had bet the 1000 meters at 1:06.42 and the 1500 meter at 1:06:42
Venue
This year’s speed skating will take place in Richmond, Vancouver in an oval rink.
By: Samantha Williams
