Speed skating is one demanding high-speed sport that requires the skater to run a lot, roll, throw, jump, etc. To do this sport, the skater must possess agility, stability, coordination, and of course, develop extraordinary pace. This is why the sport is demanding. After learning all this, what do they wear under their suits?
Speed skaters wear a somewhat protective tights, known as skins under their bodysuits. The main purpose of this is to prevent those razor-sharp blades of their opponents from touching them. But, other athletes don’t have to wear this. Mostly, this underwear is not worn at the highest level because the skaters don’t want to wear something that will restrict airflow and their movements.
Skins can make a difference in your performance on the ice. One thing that can prevent an athlete from coming out on top despite their incredible skill is wind resistance. Athletes need to feel as aerodynamic as possible, which means dressing in some high-tech fabrics that will boost their performance instead of reducing it. Skins aren’t like those spandex bodysuits that make you to appear sexy, but an advanced material designed to minimize drag.
What Do Speed Skaters Wear?
Speed skaters are typically allowed to shield themselves when in action for safety’s sake. Without wearing these protective pieces of equipment, the skater endangers themselves, and in the process, they could land in bigger troubles. So, what do speed skaters wear?
Apart from the Skins, speed skaters are required to wear safety gear, such as a helmet, protective glass, gloves, knee and elbow pads, and shin guards. These pieces of equipment ensures that no delicate area of the skin is exposed.
Why Do Speed Skaters Wear Glasses?
Contrary to popular beliefs, glasses aren’t just worn for the design, even though they make these skaters look cool. Typically, when skating in the sun, you would want to shield your eyes from the rays. However, what would you make of those speed skaters who wear them in Winter Olympics? Of course there’s no sun ray there.
Speed skaters wear these glasses to enhance their safety and performance. Speed skating is of two types – short-track and long-track. The obvious difference between these two is that long-track skaters compete for longer distances. Because short-track athletes compete for shorter distances, the risk of falling or bumping into other skaters is higher than in the other skating type. This is why it’s recommended that they wear safety gear. As for the glasses, the main reason for wearing them is to prevent their eyes from tearing up because of the wind.
The eyewear also shields the eyes from getting in touch with the ice chips that could fly up. In addition, the light’s glare can interfere with your eyesight, so wearing glasses will help your visibility tremendously. You should know that glasses aren’t a requirement for speed skating. Skaters like Brittany Bowe don’t wear them.
What Are Speed Skating Suits Made Of?
Speed skating suits is usually made of Kevlar material to prevent sharp objects from kicking them. The suits are also made of tiny dips for added protection. Skating suits need to be as tight as possible because a little opening can create drag, and you wouldn’t want that while competing in events like the Olympics.
What you should know is that these suits aren’t comfortable in the body. This is because they add bulk and restricts movement, which is why some skaters don’t wear it at the highest levels of competition. However, many people have gotten injured during sped skating. Some even died while doing the sport, so it’s necessary to wear. Skins offer an extra bulge, like some form of padding for additional protection.
What Kind of Skates Do Speed Skaters Wear?
Speed skaters wear clap skates. These skates are used in speed skating, and unlike the traditional skates that the blade is fixed to the boot permanently, clap skates have the blade fixed to the boot by a hinge at the front. This enables the blade to maintain contact with the ice for as long as possible and also, give you a more room to skate naturally and efficiently.
Clap skates were manufactured at the University of Amsterdam, although the idea of this type of skate dates back to early 1900. It was first used in 1984/85, but it wasn’t until 1990s that everyone embraced the idea. By 1996/97, the Dutch women’s team has started wearing the skates, achieving great success. The skating world followed suit, and by 1998, the skates influenced skaters performance, eventually leading to several records being broken in the Winter Olympics in Japan.
Why Do Long Track Skaters Wear Clap Skates?
Long-track skaters wear clap skates because those at designed for speed skating. These skating athletes wear clap skates because they allow the movement of the legs and distribution of energy to the legs more effectively. Originally, they were not just worn by long-track skaters. Shortly after the dominance of Tonny de Jong in the 1996/97 season, the call to ban the skates became widespread. While the clap skates are still being used in long-track speed skating, it has been banned from use in the short-track skating.
Clap skates are constructed from the hinges, allowing the skater to partake in longer skating sessions. This is what differentiates them from typical skates where the blades aren’t flexibly fixed.
What Equipment Is Needed for Speed Skating?
Equipment used for speed skating depends on the type of skating. For short-track speed skating, the equipment needed are speed skates, skin suit, helmet, knee pads, neck guard, skating gloves, and ankle protection. If you are a national level skater, you may wear Kevlar suits for additional protection. Eyewear is optional.
The long-track skating requires the same pieces of equipment as mentioned above, except for helmet, knee pads, and neck guards. Glasses are also not required.
Who Is the World’s Fastest Skater?
The world’s fastest speed skater in the 500 meters progression is Pavel Kulizhnikov from Russia. He finished at 33.61 and clocked an average speed of 53.56 km/h at the 2018/19 World Cup Final. Kulizhnikov is also the fastest skater in the 500m x2, finishing at 68.931.
