Source:

02-12-2009 17:00

Short track speed skating competitions are easy to describe: fast and spectacular. It is an elimination event consists of preliminary contest, quarterfinal contest, semifinal contest and final contest.In short track speed skating competitions are held on hockey sized rinks (30 x 60 m), with at least four skaters competing together (for the 500 and 1,000 m) and 6 together for the 1,500 .The athletes' technique includes the distinctive body position, leaning at up to 30°, one hand touching the ice in the turns, excellent acceleration during the start and the ability to leave opponents to avoid disastrous collisions. Tactics are a fundamental part of the races, the longer distances requiring careful strategy.

Individual Events

In individual competitions, all skaters can take part in all distances. The competition consists of a series of heats involving 4, 5 or 6 athletes.The first two athletes in each heat go through to the next round until only four skaters remain for the final. "B" finals are also held (from 5th to 8th place for 500 and 1000 m and from 7th to 12th place for 1500 m).

These are important in assigning medals should there be disqualification of two athletes in the "A" final.

Physical contact

Serious collisions, with pushes and obstructions, are punished with disqualification. Only one false start is permitted for each Serious collisions, with pushes and obstructions, are punished with disqualification. Only one false start is permitted for each

Relay

Eight teams take part in short track speed skating relay, each with four skaters plus a substitute. Each team is also free to decide how many laps each of its athletes will race, though the last two laps must be covered by the same skater. It is unusual for an individual athlete to exceed one and a half laps, giving a total of approximately 7-8 changes per athlete. Only where there is a fall can a substitute be admitted in the final phase.

The push

The relay exchange is carried out by touching the teammate and pushing hard to transfer the skater's momentum to the exchange teammate. The handover can be made along the two straights, while the last handover is carried out, in accordance with the rules, along the line in the middle of the straight corresponding to the start of the last 2 laps. If these rules are not respected, the team will be disqualified.

 

Editor:Liu Anqi