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From the Olympics Toword Tomorrow
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Speed Skating
Program
| Men |
500m 1000m 1500m 5000m 10000m |
(1)Feb 9 (16:30-) (2)Feb 10 (16:30-) Feb 15 (15:00-) Feb 12 (15:00-) Feb 8 (15:00-) Feb 17 (15:00-) |
| Women | 500m 1000m 1500m 3000m 5000m |
(1) Feb 13 (16:30-) (2)Feb 14 (16:30-) Feb 19 (15:00-) Feb 16 (15:00-) Feb 11 (15:00-) Feb 20 (15:00-) |
Skaters will skate in the new "M-Wave" speed skating rink for Nagano Olympics, for the first time. (Published in January 24, 1996 issue of "Shinano Mainichi Shimbun.")
Viewer's guide
Fastest event
As an event in which athletes compete on their own strength, without being assisted by mechanical power or force of gravity, speed skating is the fastest sports event. The skater transmits the power produced by his highly trained body onto the ice through a thin skate blade only 0.9mm thick, as he expertly uses the inside and outside edges. In a short distance race such as the 500-meter event where skaters skate around curves at a high speed, technical excellence is critical. And, this is considered to be an important factor for Japanese skaters' good record in this event.
In or Out
Starting with the Nagano Olympics, the ranking for the 500-meter staking event will be decided by the total time for the two runs. After the skaters start and pass the first curve, and go into the back straight section, they change from the inside lane to outside lane, in turns. Generally, those skaters that have an inside lane start can make a big turn around the second curve, and so, they tend to have a better time. In the method of skating just once, which was used up to now, the luck that players have in the lottery to pick the starting combination, has often had a big influence on the outcome. So, at Nagano, those skaters who have an inside lane start on the first day, will start on the outside on the second day.
While he failed in Sarajevo four years previously, Japan's ace skater Akira Kuroiwa in the Calgary Olympics won a bronze medal even though he had the same "Group 4, Out." This was an interesting coincidence.
In the Men's 500-meter race, victory is decided at most within 36 and 37 seconds, which is almost too short for spectators to catch. However, the efforts and training that skaters undergo until they reach this point are truly demanding. Because Japanese skaters will be competing at home, they may feel the pressure all the more. And, on top of this, the race now extends over two days. Some skaters led in the first race, while others were behind.... Their psychological conditions are likely to be a key point as well.
As for skating events other than 500-meter race, skaters will compete on the basis of the best time for one run.
Adjustment of the pace
As in the case of track events, instantaneous, explosive power is required for short-distance events, while stamina and endurance are required for long-distance races. In long distance races of 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters where adjustment of the pace is decisive, how much time skaters take to go around each lap is an interesting point to watch. If there are too many ups and downs in the lap time, then, there is likely to be a big loss in stamina. If the lap time improves in the final part of the race, then, that is an indication that the skater has some stamina left. And spectators' cheers and encouragement provide a big support for the athletes.
For the intermediate distance of 1,500 meters, the key is to get to the top speed as soon as possible, and to maintain that speed. Even though Japanese skaters have been traditionally weak in middle-distance events, in 1996, the skater Hiroyuki Noake (from the Japan Physical Education University, then, and with Nagano Prefecture Teachers' Club now) set a new world record in the 1,500-meter race. And the overall level of Japanese skaters have come up to the world level over the past several years.
Interesting Records
Whether or not good records are produced is influenced considerably by the ice condition as well as by the wind resistance exerted on the skaters. The expert engineers, of whom Nagano Prefecture is proud, are very good at producing ice that slides smoothly, and they will work at it even harder. The "M-Wave" is an indoor link, so there is no problem of wind resistance. However, because Nagano City is at a relatively low altitude of 300 meters, the atmospheric pressure is high. The relatively high air density serves to create a higher level of resistance in short-distance races, which is a disadvantage for setting a new record. Asama Onsen International Skating Center, which is sometimes called "a link that produces world records," is located in Matsumoto City at an altitude of 1,000 meters. Still, Nagano City may be a good setting for long distances because breathing is easier, and so, we may be able to see some good records.
Slap skates
"Slap skates," whose skating blade separates off from the shoes at the heal, have come under much attention, rather suddenly, starting last season. Dutch skaters and skaters from other countries have achieved good results in middle- and long-distance races, and these skates caused a sensation at the world championship event that was held in "M-Wave." It is not clear yet whether slap skates are good for short-distances. It is possible that with the development of this type of skate, skating techniques may change as well, so further developments bear close watching. (originally run May 17, 1997)
No part of the article, photographs, or illustrations presented here may be printed or used without permission.
Copyright 1998 The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun