Buzz
If gliding swiftly across a frozen path excites you, or maneuvering sharp bends to outpace the leader ignites your passion, perhaps it’s time to strap on a pair of speed skates. While Olympic-level strength isn’t a prerequisite, it certainly wouldn’t hurt. I visited a training session to uncover the essentials.
The Events
Olympic speed skating is divided into two categories: long track and short track. Long track races are timed, with two skaters competing simultaneously in individual lanes. The skater with the quickest time claims victory. To add variety, there’s also a team pursuit event, where trios skate in unison to cover the distance.
Short track, on the other hand, features multiple skaters racing side by side, battling for the lead. Victory is determined by finishing position, meaning speed alone isn’t enough—you must cross the line first. (This year, long track will introduce a similar mass start event for added excitement.)
If you’re aiming to dive into traditional long track speed skating, the US offers only two full-sized rinks for proper training: one in Utah and one in Wisconsin. US Speedskating has been recruiting rollerblade racers from the streets, as roller skating lacks Olympic recognition. If you dream of gliding down long, straight paths with your arms in motion, inline speed skating might be your easiest entry into the sport.
Short track, however, is more accessible. The standard track fits comfortably within a hockey rink, making it easier to locate clubs and training opportunities for short track speed skating.
What It’s Like
I joined the Pittsburgh Speedskating Club at a local rink during public skating hours. (Hockey’s popularity often makes affordable, dedicated ice time scarce for niche winter sports.) The club focuses on short track skating and counts John-Henry Kreuger, a current competitor, among its former trainees.
They lent me a pair of skates, visible in the photo above. Speed skates feature longer, straighter blades compared to figure or hockey skates. (All ice skates are “rockered,” slightly curved like a rocking chair’s base, aiding in smooth turns when leaning.) Additionally, their low-cut ankles allow for deeper knee bends, bringing your body closer to the ice.
Let’s be honest: the toughest part of speed skating is simply staying upright. If you’re new to ice skating, it’ll take time to feel confident on skates. Starting with figure or hockey skating lessons might be a smart move before diving into speed skating.
I’ve dabbled in figure skating (I can manage a 3-turn and a waltz jump, but that’s about it) and spent most of my skating time on rollerblades. My roller derby experience involved fast laps and strong crossover pushes on a curved track. I thought I had this in the bag, but stepping onto the ice felt like starting from scratch. Another beginner, with a figure skating background, shared the same struggle.
For the next hour, the coaches guided us through the basics: placing a foot down, pushing off, shifting weight, and lifting the other foot. One coach emphasized aligning my toe, knee, and face vertically, with my opposite arm and leg on one side and my hip balancing the weight on the other. The lower you crouch and the more you extend your hip, the steadier you’ll feel.
Beyond weight shifting, mastering the edges was another challenge. Ice skates have two edges, essentially making the blade two parallel knives. Gliding straight uses both edges, but leaning into a turn shifts your weight to just one.
When skating counterclockwise, crossovers are key during turns. Your right foot crosses over the left, engaging the inside edge of the right skate and the outside edge of the left. Relying on the outside edge can be nerve-wracking, as it requires the blade to grip the ice firmly. If it slips, you’re hitting the ground.
Most of my time was dedicated to perfecting crossovers and figuring out the precise weight distribution and foot placement to make the outside edge grip the ice. Naturally, I took a spill once—mid-turn, I suddenly found myself sliding and tumbling across the ice. I’m not entirely sure what went wrong, but I stood up coated in ice shavings from my waist down. But hey, falling on your first day is a good sign, right? It means you’re pushing your limits.
