Speedskating originated as a means of transportation for Vikings to cross frozen rivers and lakes
Speedskating is the first of the major ice sports (speedskating, hockey, figure skating) and originated in Europe
The first speedskating club in the US was formed in Philadelphia in 1849
SHORT TRACK RACING EXPLAINED
Short Track Speedskating takes place on a 111.12 meter oval on either a standard hockey rink or larger Olympic rink. Following are the distances in meters and number of laps of several short track races: 222 meters = 2 laps 333 meters = 3 laps 444 meters = 4 laps 500 meters = 4.5 laps 611 meters = 5.5 laps 1000 meters = 9 laps 1500 meters = 13.5 laps 3000 meters = TIRED LEGS! (27 laps)
The 500 meter world record for men on the short track is less than 42 seconds. That is about 27 mph, but because a skater's path is longer than the measured oval, skaters may actually be going faster than 30 mph!
