Speed Skating Trivia Questions

Shaving legs is a common practice among elite speed skaters and cyclists. It is believed to slightly reduce aerodynamic drag and makes the application and removal of athletic tape easier.

Clap skates are still used in all elite long-track competitions. They were introduced in the 1990s and revolutionized the sport by allowing a longer, more efficient push-off.

Short track originated in Canada and the United States in the early 20th century as a way to race on hockey rinks. The Netherlands is famous for long track, not short track.

Elite speed skaters in the 500-meter sprint can hit 37+ mph. The low-friction ice and aerodynamic tuck make this possible, rivaling a bicycle's sprint speed.

Short track has frequent crashes and high-speed falls, so helmets are mandatory. Long track skaters often wear only a hood or cap, as falls are rarer and less chaotic.

Short track blades are fixed and curved for tight turns, while long track blades are longer with a clap mechanism. They are not interchangeable and differ in length and flexibility.

The inner lane is about 385 meters per lap, the outer about 415. Skaters swap lanes each lap to ensure equal total distance, a counterintuitive design quirk.

Jansen's sister Jane died of leukemia hours before his 1988 race; he fell. He finally won gold in the 1000m at the 1994 Lillehammer Games, a famous emotional story.