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Rules
The
official rules of speed skating are governing by Speed Skate Canada
and the International Skating Union. In addition, our local
and
regional competitions have some specific rules that have been
established by our provincial associations. For those who
wish to
review the detailed rules, you must consult the Speed Skate Canada
handbook. Summarized here are the general rules that pertain
to
speed
skating.
Regarding
the rules, in general, common sense prevails. That is, given
the number of skaters on a small ice surface, the objective of all the
rules is to be as fair as possible for everyone and as safe as possible
for everyone. That means: no interference with other skaters,
complete
the distance assigned, no false starts, no dangerous moves,
etc.
If
you have additional questions regarding the rules, please consult with
your coaches.
Here
is a
summary of the rules:
1.
The distances skated are determined by the level of the skaters
in a division. The track is 111 m. The start of the
race
may change
for races that have a half-lap in them (eg 500 M is 4.5 laps), but the
finish will always be in the same place (the side with the single red
line). The cones marking the track are periodically moved to
protect
the ice and so with the 500, 1500, and 3000 M races, the start line may
move to match the cones to keep the distances skated constant.
2.
Skaters' numbers must be on both sides of the helmet. The
numbers must be readily visible (3 inches high). In some
meets,
the
host club provides helmet covers that must be worn. In other
meets,
the skaters own assigned number must be on the helmet.
3.
All protective gear must be on and bare skin covered or a
skater will be disqualified or barred from skating in the
race.
Skates
must be tied and all bolts tight. Equipment must not be
removed
until
the skater has left the ice. Please see the page on required
equipment
to know what protective gear is required.
4.
Two false starts and a skater is disqualified. The skaters
first line up behind the blue line at the start of a race.
They
then
move to the start line on the command "Go to the Start". Once
at
the
start line, they remain relaxed in a standing position until the
starter says "Ready". After a pause to allow skaters to take
their
start position and become still, the gun is fired to start the
race.
There is generally a pause of 1.5 seconds before the gun is fired and
all skaters must be still before the gun is fired. If there
is a
false
start, the starter either fires the gun a second time or one of the
referees blows a whistle.
5.
If a skater is knocked down by another skater at the start
(before the first apex block), they will usually call the start
back.
However, if a skater falls on their own and does not interfere with
another skater, they will let the race continue. If a falling
skater
interferes with another skater off the start, the race is generally
called back. This is a judgement call by the referee and you
should
never assume the race will be called back.
6.
Skaters are not allowed to shoot a leg forward to try and get a skate
across the finish line in front of another skater.
7.
A skater may knock a cone without being disqualified but if a
skater purposefully skates inside the cones marking the curve to try
and shorten the track, they will be disqualified. There are
track
stewards on the ice surface who replace kicked cones. If a
cone
is
missing, that does not give you the right to skate inside the dot
marked on the ice.
8.
Skaters are not allowed to interfere with other skaters: no
pushing, no cutting a skater off (e.g. by cutting inside as they enter
a
corner), or changing track specifically to block another
skater.
The
former is generally referred to as "impeding" and the latter is
referred to as "cross-tracking". A very common error is to
try
and
pass on the inside as you enter the corner, interfering with another
skater. Please see the pages on passing for a more detailed
explanation.
9.
If a skater falls, it is their responsibility to make sure they
don't interfere with another skater when getting up and starting to
skate again. This means that they have to check behind them
for
other
skaters before getting up or back on the track. If you get up
and
move
in front of another skater.
10.
Any unsportsman-like behaviour may also result in
disqualification. This may include, but is not limited to,
swearing or
insulting other competitors or officials, or inappropriate celebration
on crossing the finish line. A big smile is the best response
on
crossing the finish line after a good race.
11.
If a skater falls on their own or is taken down in an
accidental fashion by another skater, it is simply considered bad
luck. However, if a skaters is knocked down or knocked off
course
as a
result of an infraction by another skater, that skater may be advanced
from a heat to a final by the referee. This will only happen
if
the
referee has determined that the skater was in a position to be advanced
when the infraction occurred.
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