Types of speed skating events involve three-speed skating events held around the world. They are Long Track speed skating, Short Track speed skating, and marathon speed skating. Speed skating, mostly done on an icy track, has earned the fond name of Winter Olympics. Being a competitive race since its emergence, it gains popularity rapidly and is ever on the rise. And each category mentioned above does have its sub-category.
But we, in this article, will keep focused on the main three types of speed skating hangouts. So read on to learn about them.
Types Of Speed Skating Events
Long Track Speed Skating
Long track speed skating is more popular in America than even in the Netherlands. Though the Lon track-type started in the mid-seventeenth century, the Netherlands is widely considered the birthplace of these skating games.
Olympic first recognized the sport as Men’s speed skating in 1924, and since then, a new Olympic event emerges as the Winter Games. It is because of the icy tracks in the winter season when the game is held. Women’s speed skating got the official acknowledgment in 1960 at Squaw Valley. Skating enthusiasts consider the long track form of speed skating to be the fastest, non-mechanical, and human-powered sport in the world. This track consists of two types of races, pack, and metric. In the pack, all skaters are spread out across the start line and from a line or “pack” as they race around to oval. Whereas In the metric form, skaters race in pairs, and they can change lanes once a lap to equalize the distance.
At present, there are several events in long track speed skating. They start from 500 meters and reach 5000 meters with 1000 meters, and 1500 meters are the two forms between the shortest and longest track. There is also 10000 meters events for men and 3000 meters event for women.
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Short Track Speed Skating
Short track is another form of speed skating that is also a form of highly competitive speed skating held in icy tracks.
Given the shorter distance and setting, this track is known to be indoor speed skating. Beginning in Canada, it reached America within no time. The short track was held first on an oval track in America as early as 1905-1906.
Not to avoid, other countries contributed a huge lot to the development and popularization of this form of ice skating. And the countries include Great Britain, Belgium, Australia, Japan, and France that deserve to be credited for the present status of the sport after Canada and America.
Read: Rules of Short track speed skating
The Olympic-sized hockey rink is the track where this event takes place. The track for short track speed skating has an oval-shaped track without any marked lanes. Three kinds of speed skating competitions use the In Short-Track speed skating; you have three different types of competitions: individual races, relay races, and pursuit races.
Read: short track vs long track speed skating
Marathon Speed Skating
Marathon Track or marathon speed skating is a public event. Skaters of all ages and communities can take part in this speed skating event. Amateur skaters of any age and community organized this event in many countries – mostly the countries mentioned in the previous sections. Canal and lakes surrounded by ice are the natural ground to hold this event. The organizers of this event choose a city for the parallel road. Most of the Marathon-Track speed skating’s distances are 10 KM, 25 KM, and 50 KM. A skater can use the regular inline skates that include long-track skates or Nordic blades in this event.
Marathon-track, like popular speedskating, is highly popular in Europe and the hot bet of marathon-track skaters in the Netherlands. It is because of the long and uninterrupted stretches of frozen canals in this country.
Organizers opine that marathon speed skating in the Netherlands attracts top-notch racers and weekend warriors who are endurance-oriented. Unfortunately, temperatures run too low in this race, and the 2000 marathon track in lake Placid, N.Y. that was of 50kM course, the temperature goes down to 10 degrees. Not to end here, the participants encountered a 25 mph wind snowstorm coming down the main straightaway.
Read: Factors to consider before choosing the right speed roller skate
FAQs
What is the shortest event in speed skating?
The shortest event in speed skating is an oval ice track with a length of 111.12 meters (364.6 ft). In 1992 Winter Games, this event took place in France as a ceremonious sports event.
What do speed skaters wear under their suits?
Speed skaters put on a cut-resistant and protective layer beneath their surface suits. That undergarment meant for speed skaters is often made of Kevlar or Spectra to prevent cut and protect the skaters from unwanted and unnoticed danger.
Where is speed skating most popular?
Speed Skating is most popular in the Netherlands, but it is also popular in Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, and the United States. It is the longest stretch of icy canals that have earned this Scandinavian region to be the world’s most popular speed skating venue.
Takeaway
These are, in brief, the 3 types of speed skating and the events held. Other than the Netherlands, Norway is another Scandinavian country where popular speed skating events take place. South Korea is the only country to attract the international gaze to be a popular venue for this particular winter game in Asia. Whereas types of speed skating events may include other than the discussed three, they are the most recognized and loved speed skating types if you go by ISU.
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