Short Track Speed Skating

Description

Short track speed skating takes place on a 111.12 m oval track on a rink measuring 30 m x 60 m. As the corners are tight, it can be difficult for skaters to maintain control so the boards must be covered with protective mats of polyurethane foam at least 20 cm thick with a minimum height of 1 m. The mats are covered with a water-resistant and cut-resistant material and must be attached to the boards as well as to each other. Some rinks dedicated to short track speed skating are beginning to use a boardless padding system. This system provides a safer environment for athletes when they hit the pads at great speeds.

Racing Format

The competition lasts three days. In World Cup competition, men and women skate three distances: 500 m, 1,000 m and 1,500 m. There are also relay races over 3,000 m for women and 5,000 m for men. Instead of racing in pairs, like what is done in speed skating, short track speed skaters start with four to eight skaters on the starting line. Positions are drawn by a lot system and the competition pits skater against skater. Strategies and tactics are very important and races are often won by the smartest rather than the fastest skater. In international competitions, skaters must finish among the top two in their heat, quarter-final and semifinal in order to qualify for the 500 m, 1,000 m and 1,500 m final.

First place receives 1,000 points; second place, 800 points; third place, 640 points; fourth place, 512 points, fifth place, 410 points, sixth place, 328 points, seventh place, 262 points, eighth place, 210 points, ninth place 168 points and tenth place 134 points. Skaters placing 11th to the end of the field of entries will also receive points in decreasing value. During the season, an athlete will skate each individual distance eight times and the six best results are kept to determine the final ranking.

Officials

The chief official at a short track speed skating competition is the referee. The referee oversees the assignment of competitors to heats, determines when the ice must be resurfaced and monitors the races. The referee and assistant referees also ensure fair racing. The competition officials have the power to disqualify skaters and can also advance a skater to the next round if he or she has been knocked down by another skater committing a passing foul.

Another key race official, the starter, is responsible for ensuring all skaters receive a fair start. Short track speed skaters are allowed one false start before being disqualified.

The timers provide manual back-up to the electronic timing system, the finish-line judges determine the official order of finish, and the lap recorders keep track of the laps remaining in the race and pass this information on to the skaters. Lap recorders also ring a bell to signify the start of the last lap.

Track stewards replace corner blocks if they are kicked out of position and watch for skaters skating inside the blocks. The competitor’s steward assigns the skaters to heats, keeps track of race results and prepares the final standings.

Rules

Racers skate counter-clockwise. Overtaking is allowed but the skater who overtakes is responsible for any collision or obstruction that results from the overtaking. If a skater is lapped, he or she must move to the outside track, and if lapped twice, the skater will be asked by the referee to leave the race.

A few basic rules govern passing. The lead skater has the right-of-way and the passing skater assumes responsibility to avoid body contact. The most frequent passing infraction, termed ‘charging the block’, occurs when a skater passes on the inside of the congested area near the top of the corner. An experienced skater won’t let another athlete sneak by the inside and can, by holding his or her track, force overtaking skaters to back off or go around the outside. Another common cause for disqualification occurs if a skater is changing lanes or altering his or her track at the finish. Competitors must skate in a straight line from the end of the corner to the finish line; veering inside or outside to maintain the lead is grounds for disqualification.

Technique and Strategy

Short track speed skaters use many of the same strategies and tactics as track racers (e.g. running or cycling). Well-conditioned skaters may elect to lead from the gun hoping to wear out the competition; others may choose to conserve energy for a finishing sprint. Some may throw in several sprints during a race in hopes of confusing the rest of the pack. Whatever the strategy, a basic tactic for every skater is to be no farther behind than second or third place with four or five laps to go. The result is plenty of passing as skaters seek to improve their positions in the pack. Passing requires instant acceleration, agility, good balance and nerves of steel.

Relay Race

Relay races normally involve four teams of four skaters. Each skater participating in the relay must complete at least one lap. Normally, the skaters will exchange turns in rotation with those not currently racing. Skaters that aren’t racing are either resting, covering the skater on the track or preparing to be the next skater racing. Instead of passing a baton, the skater on the track must tag the incoming skater to complete an exchange. In order to maintain momentum, it is more common for the incoming skater to crouch and receive a relay from behind. In the event of a fall, a covering skater may tag the fallen skater and continue the race. A gun will sound indicating that there are three laps remaining, meaning each team may only complete one more exchange. One skater must complete the final two laps, except if the skater falls.

Equipment

Because the corners of the short track speed skating oval are tight, the speed skate has been modified to maintain high speed and control in the turns. The boot is made of fibreglass moulded to the shape of the foot. The blade, while similar to the length used in long track speed skating, has more rocker and is offset to the left so the skater can lean further and push more effectively in the corners without hitting the side of the boot on the ice. The speed skate blades are rounded at each end.

Every skater wears safety gear, which includes a hard-shell helmet fastened under the chin, cut-resistant gloves, knee pads, neck protector and shin guards. The Lycra suits are the same as the ones worn by the speed skaters, but lack the aerodynamic hood and the thumb loops. Recent modifications to rules regarding the equipment require the use of cut-resistant fabric material which is designed to minimize injuries to the athletes.