Kristina Groves
One of Canada's most accomplished skaters. Click here
Why not? It's fast, competitive and if you keep at it, you'll have calf muscles like those dreamy athletes on TV. To be a speed skating star, you're going to need strength, agility and coordination - but don't worry about that stuff now, they'll develop as you practise. Speed skating programs are all over Canada - probably not far from where you live. You can practise practically wherever there's a fair amount of smooth ice. Speed skating is the sport for all ages, from 7 to 70.
ABOUT SPEED SKATING
It's hard to believe this sport is even legal! Strapping razor-sharp blades to your feet and flying around an oval track at speeds of up to 32 km/h while your competitors are striving to go even faster. Still, it's much safer than other sports.
You skate on an oval ice rink - indoors or outdoors - skating counterclockwise as fast as you possibly can without losing control and sliding into the cushioned walls.
Whatever the technique, skaters strive for a smooth transition from the short steps of the start to the long, smooth efficient push of full-speed skating. The key to gaining more speed is to crouch down low - reducing air resistance. The lower you crouch, the farther your leg can extend to the side during the push, thus increasing speed.
“Fun Fact: If you're lapped twice, you must leave the race - and no, you can't trip the skater passing you.“
Styles of Speed Skating
There are two styles of speed skating:
Short Track Speed Skating
Using a 111.12 m oval track (hockey arena), this speed skating form is organized using a system of heats, semis and finals. The object is to have the best place at the finish time. The skater with the most points at the end of the meet wins.
Long Track Speed Skating
Two lanes on a 400 m track host this event, with a lane cross over to equalize the distance. The object is to have the fastest time. There are two styles of Long Track speed skating:
Mass Start - a lot like short track, this has several skaters on the line racing against each other.
Olympic Style - skaters race against the clock and themselves. The skaters' times from each race are converted into points. The overall winner is the one with the most points.
“Fun Fact: Jean-François Monette, an accomplished Canadian speed skater, holds the Canadian and world records in 500 m Short Track.”
The Skills
It takes a lot of practice to get the technique perfect. Whenever you go speed skating, start off with a short 3-4 minute jog and stretching to get warmed up.
Once you begin skating, you have the choice to either lead from the beginning or save energy for the end. Remember to maintain proper positions for your arms and legs - this is crucial for speed. And if you plan on passing, it requires instant acceleration, agility, good balance and nerves of steel.
The Start
Your skates should be parallel - 45 degrees to the 'Start' line. Lean towards the line with one arm bending in front and the other hanging loosely behind. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight evenly distributed. Use rapid, short steps to get yourself going once the starter's pistol goes off.
Push to the side (to move forward)
Extend your leg to the side and keep all your weight on the other leg, with both skates staying parallel, pointing ahead.
What to do with your arms
Swing them backwards and forwards, but keep them relaxed and controlled with your hands open.
Turning
Push straight along the lines of the turn with your head slightly turned to the left. Reduce the swing in your left arm and keep your feet close to the ice as your feet cross over. Remember to keep your crossing-over leg in a fully extended position.
“Fun Fact: You don't need professional speed skates to begin this sport. Grab a pair of hockey or figure skates until you get the hang of it.”
Equipment
Like any sport, safety stuff is important. Especially a helmet (ice is hard; don't pick a fight with it). You should also wear shin guards, knee pads, a neck protector, long-sleeved clothing and cut-resistant, water-resistant gloves. Your speed skates should have the boots cut low for flexibility but still give good heel support for your size.
“Fun Fact: In speed skating, skaters are allowed only one false start before they are disqualified.”
Speed Skating Terms
Chief Timer - Responsible for all the timing functions involved in a competition
Heat - A speed skating contest to determine race finalists
Lap Recorder - Keeps competitors informed of the number of laps remaining in the race
Meet - A competition between skaters
Referee - Responsible for all aspects of the meet and decides all points of dispute and infringements of the rules
Skin Suits - Very stretchy clothing to provide freedom of movement and tight fitting to be aerodynamic
Starter - Responsible for all the timing functions involved in a competition
“Fun Fact: Ask your parents to volunteer. Without them, there wouldn't be 8,000 Speed Skating Canada members today.”
Kristina Groves
Beginning at the age of 11, this Canadian speed skater has quickly become one of Canada's most accomplished skaters. She's currently ranked #2 in Canada in Long Track speed skating and is often found at a training centre in Calgary, Alberta. The many highlights of Kristina's career include winning gold in the 3000 m and 1500 m at the 1998 National Championships, winning her first ever World Cup medal in 2003 and finishing 1st at the 2004 Continental Qualifier. Apart from skating, she is a Youth Education through Sport (YES) Program public speaker for elementary, junior high and high school students.
SPEED SKATING ORIGIN
If you think about how long ice has been around, then you think about how old speed skating is, you'd agree that speed skating is still a very new sport. About 1,000 years ago in one of many chilly winters of Scandinavia and The Netherlands, two geniuses discovered that if they tied animal bones to their boots, they could skate across ice. This bone and boot contraption caught on and by the 19th century, it evolved into 'skating'.
Canada's first recorded ice skating race took place on the St. Lawrence River in 1854 when three British army officers raced from Montréal to Quebec City. Just a few years down the road, in 1887, the first official championship was staged.
Presently, there are 150 speed skating clubs in Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador.
