What is a short track in sports? Short track is a sport

What is a short track in sports? This is a kind of speed skating, the principle of which is to quickly overcome the distance. In translation from English, "short track" is a short track, and this name was received for good reason: the ice track along which skaters move is only 111.12 meters long.

Short track history

The history of the appearance of the short track is still unknown. Englishmen and Canadians share laurels, asserting that they are its founders. But one thing is certain: a short track is the kind of sport that was held in Canada for the first time. It was in 1905, and the winner then was F. Logen. After that, the question "what is the short track in the sport" was also interested in the Americans: in 1906 in the US there was a championship with the participation of this sport, and in 1915 the first international championship was held between the representatives of Canada and the United States. After a long break, the competition was resumed in 1926, and this time Europeans fought for the medal. In Europe, this kind of speed skating became known in 1914, when the first competitions were held here. After that, other countries began to learn about what a short track in sports is:

• In 1940 - Australia.
• In 1950 - Belgium, France, Japan.
• In 1970 - Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand.

Since then, there was a need to hold international championships of the world, and in 1975 by the decision of the ISU a committee was created to run for short distance on skates. To date, the short track is an Olympic sport and takes part in the Olympics as a personal-team competition.

Equipment of participants

Short track refers to sports with a certain level of risk. That is why skaters perform in special overalls made of elastic fabric that does not hinder movement, and with knee pads and shields to reduce the risk of injury when falling. The head of the athlete is protected by a helmet (they were specially developed by LAS). To protect the neck, a special device is used, called a collar between the athletes, which protects the cervical vertebrae from injuries. During the race for balance, skaters touch their palms to the ice, so the equipment must include leather gloves with epoxy forms on the fingers and palms. Well, the finishing touch is the shoes. They are chosen at their own discretion according to endurance, developed speed, weight and body size of the athlete, as well as taking into account the technique of running and rigidity of ice. Shoes are made individually for each athlete.

Short Track Blades

Speed skating (short track) requires special attention to the choice of blades: they are quite sharp, 1.1-1.2 mm thick, and reach 38-46 mm in length. They are attached to the boot with two bolts, which is why a set of spanners (see below) is included in the list of necessary items for the athlete's ammunition. The blades are slightly arched to make it easier for the athlete to enter the turn. Blades are manufactured individually with the selection of a convenient radius: if you put them on a flat surface, then they will touch only in one place, in the center. The weight of the boot together with the blade does not exceed 500 grams. Also, the blades differ in stiffness, as indicated by their color: red, yellow or silver.

Ammunition of the athlete

The list of ammunition for the athlete, engaged in a short track, includes:

• Machine for sharpening skates.
• Stone for sharpening blades.
• Stone for deburring after sharpening.
• Set of wrenches.
• Fabric for wiping skates.
• Covers for blades before going to the ice.
• Covers for skates after the race.

This list is not mandatory, but professional athletes consider the presence of each unit from this list as necessary during training sessions and during the competition.

Ice Arena

What is a short track in the sport and where are the competitions held on it? Races are carried out on a hockey ground, prepared according to certain requirements.

• Ice on the site should not be thicker than 2-2.5 cm between the races, it is constantly updated, especially at corners, flooding these places with water. Cracks and potholes are treated (sealed) by freezing plants. Before the race, all the hockey marks are removed.
• The finishing line is depicted white in the center and black (gray) on both sides, its thickness is not more than 1 cm. At an angle of 45 degrees to the surface of the ice directs rays of light.
• The tracks are separated by markers made of black synthetic rubber.
• Mats of foam rubber are installed on the entire circumference of the platform. They consist of soft and dense parts, and their height should correspond to the height of the sides.

Short Track Rules

Short track is an individual or team race, depending on this, there are rules for passing the distance and punishment for their violation.

Basic rules of individual races

• The race goes counter-clockwise.
• Overtaking is allowed while two or more runners are not on the same level to avoid interference.
• If the runner has lagged behind a whole lap, he can continue the race closer to the outside of his track.
• If the runner is overtaken twice, he can stop the race, with the finish being scored.
• The moment of the finish is the crossing of the line by the toe of the blade.

Basic rules of relay races

• The team consists of 4-5 people.
• In each race 4 runners from one team participate.
• Teams from the competition are excluded from the competition, the participants of which are dressed in different forms.
• Transfer of the relay is a touch to the participant.
• The last two laps are overcome by one athlete, without passing the relay.
• A fallen participant can be replaced by another athlete.