Speed Skating Rules Set for Milano Cortina 2026’s Thrilling ‘Long Track’ Race
Milano Cortina 2026 is set to host the long track speed skating events at the Milano Ice Park in Rho. This venue, featuring a 400-meter track, has been constructed within a trade fair complex. Speed skating is a foundational sport of the Winter Olympics, dating back to 1924. The competitions will incorporate various formats, including the classic individual races, team pursuit, and mass start.
Speed Skating Race Formats
The speed skating competitions will consist of several race formats:
- Classic Individual Races: These include distances of 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m. Competitors race in pairs, focusing on time trials where the fastest times determine the rankings. Racers must switch lanes after each lap to account for the differing lengths.
- Team Pursuit: Teams of three skaters start from opposite sides of the track. The winning team is the one that crosses the finish line first, with the final time recorded based on the third skater’s finish.
- Mass Start: All participants start together in a tactical race that emphasizes positioning and sprinting, often decided in the final laps.
Italian Athletes to Watch
The Italian speed skating team has a rich history and promising athletes for the upcoming games. Key figures include:
- Women: Francesca Lollobrigida, Serena Pergher, Maybritt Vigl
- Men: Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini, Michele Malfatti, Riccardo Lorello, Daniele Di Stefano, Jeffrey Rosanelli, Francesco Betti
Notable past achievements include Francesca Lollobrigida’s silver in the 3000m and bronze in the mass start at Beijing 2022. Davide Ghiotto also secured a bronze in the 10,000m. Enrico Fabris remains a standout from the Torino 2006 games, where he won two golds and a bronze.
Event Schedule
The speed skating events are scheduled between February 7 and February 21, 2026. The calendar features a mix of distance events followed by intense sprint races and finals:
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| February 7 | 3000m Women | 15:00 – 16:35 |
| February 8 | 5000m Men | 15:00 – 17:00 |
| February 9 | 1000m Women | 16:30 – 17:55 |
| February 11 | 1000m Men | 17:30 – 18:55 |
| February 12 | 5000m Women | 15:30 – 17:00 |
| February 13 | 10000m Men | 15:00 – 17:05 |
| February 14 | Team Pursuit (Women) | 15:00 – 15:50 |
| February 14 | 500m Men | 16:00 – 16:55 |
| February 15 | Team Pursuit (Men) | 15:00 – 15:50 |
| February 15 | 500m Women | 16:03 – 16:55 |
| February 17 | Team Pursuit Semifinals | 13:30 – 14:12 |
| February 19 | 1500m Men | 15:30 – 17:05 |
| February 20 | 1500m Women | 15:30 – 17:05 |
| February 21 | Mass Start Semifinals | 14:00 – 15:30 |
| February 21 | Mass Start Finals | 15:40 – 16:45 |
As the world’s top speed skaters prepare for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the excitement is palpable. With its rich history and thrilling formats, speed skating promises to be a highlight of the games.
