About Short-Track Speedskating
From Wikipedia:
History
Short track speed skating (also
Shorttrack speedskating) is a form of competitive ice
speed skating. In competitions, multiple skaters (typically
between four and six) skate on an oval ice track with
a circumference of 111.12 m. The rink itself is 60 m by
30 m, which is the same size as an international-sized
hockey rink.
Short track speed skating originated
in the speed skating events held with mass starts. This
form of speed skating was mainly practiced in the United
States and Canada, as opposed to the international form,
where skaters skated in pairs. At the 1932 Winter Olympics,
speed skating events were conducted in the mass start
form. Competitions in North America were also held indoors,
for example in Madison Square Garden, New York, and therefore
on shorter tracks than was usual for outdoor skating.
In 1967, the International Skating
Union adopted short track speed skating, although it did
not organize international competitions until 1976. World
Championships have been held since 1981 though earlier
events later also received that status.
At the 1988 Winter Olympics, held
in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, short track was a demonstration
sport. It was upgraded to a full Olympic sport in 1992
and has been part of the Winter Olympics since. The program
was expanded from 4 in 1992 to 8 in 2002. The events are
the same for both men and women: 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m
and the relay (5000 m (men)/3000 m (women)).
South Korea has been the dominant
country in the sport and the sport is also highly popular
in many other countries such as The People's Republic
of China, US, Italy, Canada and Japan. With smaller ice
tracks and shorter, often spectacular competitions, short
track speed skating has grown more popular than the older
long track in many countries. In the 2006 Olympics, South
Korea won the most medals in short track speed skating.
Beginning speedskaters are welcome
at every practice of the Potomac Speedskating Club. While
prior hockey or figure skating experience is beneficial,
it is not necessary and some skaters have never skated
prior to joining our club.
Coach Kim works personally with
every skater no matter their age or experience, and private
coaching sessions are also available.
Please call 1-877-SKATE90 if you
want to try it out and find out about our monthly schedule.
See below for equipment needs.
For safety reasons, all skaters
are required to have the following prior to getting on
the ice:
