Do speed skaters get cut?

Speed skating is a relatively safe sport, but skaters are not completely protected from injury. Dislocated shoulders, contusion, cuts and pulled muscles are some of the most common injuries. You can read more about them here. Speed skating is a fast and entertaining cousin of long track speed skating.

What happened to JR Celski?

Five months before the Olympics, Celski suffered a gruesome injury when he fell during a race and his right skate blade gashed his left thigh all the way to his femur bone and was uncertain if he would be able to skate again.

Do speed skaters backs hurt?

Skaters are also susceptible to strain injury, particularly to the back, groin and knees, because of repetitive training.

How sharp are short track skates?

Short track blades are extremely sharp and are bent in at an arc that mirrors the direction of the turn. They are also placed off-center to the left so the boot does not touch the ice when the skater leans into the turn.

Why do speed skaters only swing 1 arm?

For a few reasons. First, when you’re running, you’re responsible for creating and maintaining your own momentum. Speedskaters can use the ice to maintain momentum, and thus the arms aren’t quite as important. Plus, there’s the aerodynamic factor.

Why do speed skaters not wear socks?

The idea is that a foot could slip a little inside a boot, and that slip would mean wasted energy and slower times. “Our athletes are barefoot when it gets molded their barefoot when they skate,” said Domer. “That’s to provide minimal slippage when they are in the skate and putting down the power they put down.”