Since it's almost cycling...

rick_chasey

...you lot probably should pay attetion to the (real) speed skating at the Olympics.

It was once what riders did in winter when it was too cold to train (and visa versa).

Team Lotto NL Jumbo is in fact the name of the superstar professional team.

The events and dates are as follows, the events are (continental time):

10 februari 20:00 12:00 3000m
11 februari 16:00 08:00 5000m
12 februari 21:30 13:30 1500m
13 februari 20:00 12:00 1500m
14 februari 19:00 11:00 1000m
15 februari 20:00 12:00 10.000m
16 februari 20:00 12:00 5000m
18 februari 20:00 12:00 Ploegenachtervolging (Q) 500m
19 februari 20:00 12:00 500m Ploegenachtervolging (Q)
21 februari 20:00 12:00 Ploegenachtervolging
23 februari 19:00 11:00 1000m
24 februari 20:00 12:00 Massastart

(ploegenachervolging is basically a TTT)


The final event is the 'mass start' event, which is exactly how it sounds.


In terms of advice for following it; ignore the Brit commentators.

It's all about the split times each lap and pacing. Going out too fast is as bad as going out not fast enough. If you're interested, do the research into what split times a skater is likely to be able to hold. This is particularly relevant for the 3000,5000 and 10000 races.

If the lap times start falling in the final few laps, their speed will likely collapse and they will post a pretty bad time. It's all about holding the speed right the way through. This is, typically, where the Dutch do better than the rest.

A commentator in the UK will often be excited about a non-Dutch skater being miles in the lead, and then will be bemused when they see the Dutch celebrating. The Dutch will fans know they can't hold it....

Dorset_Boy

So, they skate to tempo / power - boring, just like Team Sky eh?!

Lanterne_Rogue

I hate boring, flat, sprinters' stages - what day are they skating up a proper mountain?

RichN95.

Give me short track. That's the proper stuff. Like watching banger racing.

rick_chasey

RichN95 wrote:

Give me short track. That's the proper stuff. Like watching banger racing.

kingstongraham

So it's like cycling, if you think cycling = the flattest possible time trial.

RichN95.

KingstonGraham wrote:

So it's like cycling, if you think cycling = the flattest possible time trial.

And the competitors are Dumoulin, Van Emden, Kelderman and a load of amateurs.

Tashman

RichN95 wrote:

Give me short track. That's the proper stuff. Like watching banger racing.

This, one of my favourite Olympic memories was the Aussie winning when everyone else piled up ahead of him

rick_chasey

Tashman wrote:

RichN95 wrote:

Give me short track. That's the proper stuff. Like watching banger racing.

This, one of my favourite Olympic memories was the Aussie winning when everyone else piled up ahead of him

It’s more like mariokart.

Jez mon

I have fond memories of managing to sneak into the long track rink in Den Haag, as a teenager when we were over for an ice hockey tournament, suffice to say, 400m is a long rink to skate around!!

rick_chasey

Jez mon wrote:

I have fond memories of managing to sneak into the long track rink in Den Haag, as a teenager when we were over for an ice hockey tournament, suffice to say, 400m is a long rink to skate around!!

Not much slower than cycling; WR for 5,000m is 49.7kph average.

Jez mon

Rick Chasey wrote:

Jez mon wrote:

I have fond memories of managing to sneak into the long track rink in Den Haag, as a teenager when we were over for an ice hockey tournament, suffice to say, 400m is a long rink to skate around!!

Not much slower than cycling; WR for 5,000m is 49.7kph average.

I blame it on my lack of clap skates!

r0bh

Going to keep a link to this thread for the next time you call a TT boring Mr Chasey!

rick_chasey

r0bh wrote:

Going to keep a link to this thread for the next time you call a TT boring Mr Chasey!

You think speed skating is dull?

There's a lot more in the way they skate that you can read.

Not so easy on a bike, especially a TT.

Anyway, I thought you lot might enjoy. Obviously not.

blazing_saddles

Another similarity speed skating has with cycling is loads of doping.:P

yorkshireraw

Must be about the fastest self propelled athletes in sport (when mechanical devices i.e. chains / gears, wheels) aren't involved.

ddraver

Jez mon wrote:

I have fond memories of managing to sneak into the long track rink in Den Haag, as a teenager when we were over for an ice hockey tournament, suffice to say, 400m is a long rink to skate around!!

I have fond memories of that self same track at the end of the winter when they turn it into a go kart track! Best way to learn how to drift is to get a go kart around each big bend..

No_Ta_Doctor

I can't watch skating since I snapped my right humerus in two on an ice rink (it was like I suddenly had a second elbow, I looked down, expected to see my right hand in my lap, it was somewhere near my knee).

It's all about the downhill. Here's the Herminator with a crash that made me feel physically sick... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ULDafZqpsM

cooldad

I prefer skater girls in frilly skirts and stuff.

RichN95.

As an aside, on the topic of skating, I saw the film 'I, Tonya' earlier this week. It's really very good

Lanterne_Rogue

Warning - it starts with speed skating, and before you know it you're lying awake all night wondering how they build ski jumps.

It's a slippery slope.

ridgerider

RichN95 wrote:

Give me short track. That's the proper stuff. Like watching banger racing.

Give me biathlon. Like watching a James Bond tribute act.

r0bh

underlayunderlay wrote:

Warning - it starts with speed skating, and before you know it you're lying awake all night wondering how they build ski jumps.

It's a slippery slope.

Most winter sports would be rubbish if it wasn't!

No_Ta_Doctor

underlayunderlay wrote:

Warning - it starts with speed skating, and before you know it you're lying awake all night wondering how they build ski jumps.

It's a slippery slope.

Boom tish.

Watching skiathlon. I've never been keen on the idea of skiing UP hills.

rick_chasey

Een twee drie.

specialgueststar

Bit of early morning 5000m action. Women s ice hockey yesterday morning was good also

ShutupJens

Switched on the Eurosport coverage of the mens 5km speed skating to hear a painfully familiar voice. Cannot deal with Kirby anymore

rick_chasey

Well yesterday's 5000m winner Sven Kramer actually came 2nd in the junior national TT behind Gesink in 2004...

lostboysaint

Short track speed skating and ski/boarder cross is where it's at.

veronese68

Well, now we all know why the Dutch are so good at speed skating.

blazing_saddles

Veronese68 wrote:

Well, now we all know why the Dutch are so good at speed skating.

Ah, the benefits of a good, American education.
Apparently the have special cleats for riding their bikes, too.

Meanwhile, it wouldn't be cycling, sorry, speed skating without.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/43040184