Short-Track Rules
General Overview
Short-Track Competitions are held every year in various venues across the USA. Speedskating clubs can be located anywhere there is an indoor ice arena. There are many more clubs and competitions in short-track than in long-track, primarily due to the number of facilities available.
As in pack-style long-track racing, all the skaters line up on the starting line, the gun is fired, and the race begins. The first skater to cross the finish line wins.
There are several major national Short-Track competitions held every year. They are:
- US Junior National Championships - The top 3 men and women represent the USA at the US Junior World Competition.
- US National Championships - The winners of each age category in this competition claim the title of US National Champion.
- North American Championships - This is a competition between USA skaters and Canadian skaters.
- American Cup Series - This is typically a series of 4 Short-Track competitions held in both the USA and Canada.
- Other significant Short-Track competitions include:
- Great Lakes (held in Milwaukee, WI).
- Land of Lincoln (Champaign, IL)
- St. Louis Silverskates (St Louis MO)
- Northbook Open (Northbrook, IL)
- Still other Short-Track competitions include:
- Regional Qualifier (various venues)
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.