Metric-Style Rules
General Overview
Metric-Style Competitions are the standard world venue for Long-Track Speedskating. The ISU (International Skating Union) is the governing body responsible for establishing the rules.
Basically, 2 skaters line up on a staggered starting line, the gun is fired, and the race begins. Skaters stay in their own lane each lap, but must change lanes at the end of that lap. Rules govern how that lane change is made. Each skater competes on their own against the clock for the fastest time, however, skating against another competitor of similar caliber helps to maintain rythum, speed, and competitiveness.
There are many major national Metric-Style competitions held every year. They include:
- US Junior National Championships - The top 4 men and women represent the USA at the US Junior World Competition.
- US LT Speedskating Championships (Allround/Sprint and World Cup Qualifier)
- North American Championships - This is a competition between USA skaters and Canadian skaters.
- American Cup Series - This is typically a series of 4 metric competitions held in botht he USA and Canada.
- U.S. Single Distance Championships/Fall World Cup Selection
- Can/Am (Calgary, Canada)
- Champions Challenge (Salt Lake City, UT)
- Other significant Metric-Style competitions include:
- Regional Qualifier (various venues)
- Great Lakes Long Track Championships (Milwaukee, WI)
- Also, in the Masters category there is:
- US Masters Sprint (Milwaukee, WI)
An abriged version (cut & paste) of the ISU speedskating rule book (2008-2009 skating season) can be helpful to new skaters.
The full unabridged version of the speedskating rules (2008-2009 skating season) can be found on the ISU website.
Track Start / Finish Lines for the Guidant John Rose Oval (Track was re-surveyed in the fall of 2008)