Short Track 101

[Laura (Lori)]

I thought I'd create this thread for articles, blogs, etc. that will help new ST fans understand the sport a bit better.

Also, if you are a fan of the sport and have questions about any of the technicalities of ST, we have knowledgeable fans and occasional 'drive-by's' from skaters, family members and officials who may be willing to help you with an answer - we'll do our best, because our goal is to Grow The Sport!

[Laura (Lori)]

I'll start the thread off with this article - not exactly 'technical' in nature, but more psychological.

It's an excellent place to start in loving/appreciating this sport and it's 'thrill of victory, agony of defeat' spectrum.

It's kinda like that. But when the last race is over, you (seriously) just might see the Americans having piggyback races with the Koreans in the hotel halls, with the Italians officiating! From the outside looking in, the camaraderie off the ice seems rather impressive. Maybe it's a factor of the danger they all face together when they step on the ice - you never know whose armpit you may have in your face (or blade in your leg) during 'synchronized pad testing'.

When asked about the concept of 'luck' in ST:

“Luck comes from what you did before. Luck is a reward.” ~ Viktor Ahn (RUS)

“Most of the time, the best guy in the world wins.” ~ Sjinkie Knegt (NED)

For the most part, they are absolutely correct. Those who end up in the A Finals are unquestionably the best in the world - there are seldom complete surprises in an A Final at International levels. But there are always more 'best in the world's' than there are spots in an A Final, and there are almost always surprises among the names who aren't there. This is where 'dumb luck' and "That's Short Track" comes into play - hence, this article.

(Personally, I think they were unnecessarily snarky at Charles for saying, "The American guy" - I'm sure he knows Eddy's name...)

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In Short-Track Speedskating, Skill Struggles to Overcome Dumb Luck
By DAVID SEGAL / New York Times / FEB. 15, 2014

Short track has been called Nascar on ice because of how often it ends in pileups, and it has been derided as a kind of X Games take on the more refined and elegant long-track version of the sport.

But short track works pretty well as a metaphor for life. What other contest in the Olympics captures the mix of skill and randomness that is human existence? Getting flattened by a Canadian while minding one’s own business — while in peak form, no less — is a bit like a car crash, or a stroke, or any number of other unforeseeable tragedies that befall people every day.

Short track is not for those who look to sports as a reprieve from existential angst, as a place where practice, discipline and courage prevail, where the best are always anointed. It is more backgammon than chess.

Read it all:
www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/sports/olympics/in-short-track-speedskating-skill-struggles-to-overcome-dumb-luck.html?emc=eta1&_r=0