rules to play speed skating

Rules to play Speed Skating

21. Disqualifications
Skaters may be disqualified from a race for the following violations:Making two false starts Crossing lines that divide the lanes Not changing lanes at the crossover point Interfering with other skaters during the lane change In the team pursuit competition, if an individual skater is disqualified for a violation of the rules, his or her entire team is disqualified.
22. Falls
Skaters that fall during the race can get up and continue the event. If a skater falls just before the finish line, the time is recorded at the moment the competitors skate crosses the line.
23. Fresh starts
Skaters can re skate a race when they are victim to a serious interference, including the fall of an opponent or an obstacle on the track. If this happens, skaters are allowed 30 minutes to rest before repeating the event. The best time in the two heats will be used for the athletes final score.
24. Interference
If a skater cannot stay in the inner lane within a curve because he or she is traveling at such a high speed, the athlete may cross into the other lane as long as he or she does not interfere with the competitor in the outer lane. The skater must then return to the inner lane or he or she will be disqualified.
25. Events
In speed skating one of six sports to have been a part of every Olympic Winter Games athletes race over artificial ice at speeds up to 60 km hr (37mph). Athletes often skate in a hunched position to reduce air resistance.Two athletes skate in each race, but they are competing against the clock and not each other. Each competitor is assigned his or her own lane and must skate counter clockwise around the rink, changing lanes at the crossover point in each lap.The skater with the fastest time of all competitors wins the event. In the 500m, the athlete with the fastest total time from both races wins.Twelve events are being competed at the 2010 Vancouver Games. With noted exceptions, all events are contested by both men and women:s
26. Race Distances
500 meters (4.5 laps)
This is the shortest race, so many false starts occur as athletes are anxious to get off the starting line and sprint to the finish.
1,000 meters (9laps) Strategy comes into play as skaters position themselves for the sprint in the final few laps.
1,500 meters (13.5 laps)
Strategy and endurance are key as this is the longest race in the competition.
27. Strategy
Strategy is different for each athlete in each distance. They rely on the knowledge of their own strengths and the strengths of competitors to strategize. Depending on their skills, a skater may, for example, sprint in a long race to tire competitors or they may choose to hang back and position themselves to sprint the final laps of the race. In the heat of competition, however, much planning goes out the window and athletes must think on their feet.