Short track

What is short track?

Short track speed skating is the fast, tactical variant of speed skating. It is skated on a 111.12-metre track that fits on a normal ice hockey rink. Instead of racing the clock, several athletes race against each other at the same time: whoever crosses the finish line first wins.

Tight corners, overtaking in the smallest of spaces and frequent falls make short track one of the most spectacular Olympic sports.

Track and procedure

The oval track is marked by blocks in the corners. So that the ice doesn't wear too much in one place, the track is regularly shifted slightly during a competition.

Competitions use a knockout system: through heats, quarter-finals and semi-finals, the best skaters qualify for the A final. Because placing is what matters, tactics and position battles are often decisive. Many skaters stay in the slipstream for a long time and only attack in the final laps.

The distances

In the relay, one skater takes over from the next with a powerful push. Exchanges are possible at any time except in the final laps.

Rules and penalties

Body contact is unavoidable in short track, but illegal impeding is penalised. Typical offences are forcing an opponent out, pushing, cutting across the markers or a lane change that impedes an opponent. Referees review every race on video, and disqualifications ("penalties") are common.

Equipment and safety

Because of the risk of falls, strict protective rules apply: helmet, cut-resistant suits, gloves, neck guard and shin guards are mandatory, and the boards are thickly padded. The blades are shorter than in long track speed skating and fixed to the boot. They are offset slightly to the left and bent so that skaters can lean low in the corners.

Skaters support themselves on the ice with their left hand in the corners. Their gloves therefore often have reinforced fingertips.

The start and the first corner

The start is from a standstill, with all skaters side by side on the start line. Start positions are allocated by placings or times, and the inside is usually better. In the 500-metre race the start is often decisive: whoever reaches the first corner first has a big advantage, because overtaking over such a short distance is difficult. Over longer distances, by contrast, races often start slowly, almost tactically cautious, before the pace explodes in the final laps.

False starts are penalised: anyone who goes too early twice is disqualified, depending on the rules.

Tactics in the pack

Because placing counts in short track rather than time, races resemble a cycling race more than a time trial. Typical race patterns:

• Control from the front: A skater takes the lead early and sets the pace so that nobody gets past on the inside.
• Slipstream and final attack: The favourites stay at the back for a long time and overtake in the final laps, usually around the outside or with a quick inside move before a corner.
• Team tactics: If two skaters from one nation are in the same race, one can set the pace while the other attacks.

Overtaking on the inside is allowed as long as the opponent isn't impeded. This is exactly where most penalties and falls occur.

Advancement: going through despite a fall

A special feature is advancement: if a skater is brought down by an opponent's foul and would probably have qualified without the obstruction, the referees can advance them to the next round. This protects against a bitter exit caused by someone else.

Short track and speed skating compared

History

Short track originated at the beginning of the 20th century in North America, where mass-start races on short tracks were popular. In Calgary in 1988, short track was an Olympic demonstration event, and it has been officially Olympic since 1992 in Albertville. South Korea, China, Canada and the Netherlands are particularly successful.

Short track in Germany

In Germany, short track is overseen by the DESG. Because the track fits into any ice rink, getting started is relatively easy; no dedicated 400 m oval is needed. You can find clubs under Teams & clubs.