About the Sport
from USA Roller Sports -
"Few sports events can match the head-to-head excitement of a roller speed race.
It's a sport everyone can readily understand - racing - where the gold medals
and trophies go to those who skate the fastest. When people are first
introduced to the sport they are usually surprised by the sheer numbers as well
as the enthusiasm found at competitions.
The fastest skaters in the world are members of USA Roller Skating. Regardless
of age, these speed skaters share a determination to race as fast and as far as
they can. This youthful enthusiasm is matched by the sport, which demands a
blend of quickness, stamina and strategy."
"It's fun, exciting, healthy, social and rewarding. The benefits, however, go
beyond winning. Skaters learn the importance of teamwork, of being persistent
and organized, and of setting and reaching goals. It builds strength and
discipline, while teaching the value good sportsmanship."
"USA Roller Skating speed skating is a non-contact sport, requiring skaters to
display the skill to maneuver cleanly through the pack and into winning
position. Skaters are disqualified for pushing, blocking, forcing another racer
out of position, or using their arms, legs, or hands in any way which impedes
the progress of other competitors. For added safety skaters are also required
to wear approved helmets with the chin strap fastened during competition."
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Where can it be done?
You can race and train indoors and outdoors. Indoors is where most get their
first
introduction to speed skating. Having qualified instructors, the safety of a
controlled environment and smooth skating surface make indoors the choice of
most who want to learn how to go fast. The Rocky Mountain Racing Team
currently
trains indoors in Littleton, Thornton, Greeley in Colorado and in Cheyenne,
Wyoming.
Training and racing outdoors is exciting! The longest outdoor race in the
United States is the Athens to Atlana road race at 86 miles! Don't worry,
there are races as short as 300 meters and almost any distance in between 300m
and 86 miles can be found in the United States. The Rocky Mountain Racing Team
has
members who train outdoors year round in preparation for outdoor competitions.
All that is needed is a smooth dry surface to skate on, warm clothes,
temperatures above 20 degrees and a desire to skate!
Indoor Competition
from USA Roller Sports -
"Indoor skating uses a 100-meter oval track in individual and relay events.
(Smaller tracks can be used for rinks not able to safely accomodate a 100 meter
track. USA Roller Skating will help with this determination.) In both events,
distances and divisions are determined by the age groups. In individual events
champions are determined by the points they earn in the final races of each
distance skated."
"As in individual divisions, relay teams qualify to skate at the U.S.
Championships by having placed among the top three teams in the relay's
division at their respective regional championships or be a defending champion.
Relay events are divided into four divisions and may be skated by teams of
either two or four skaters. There are also separate divisions for quad and
in-line skates in relays. The relay races include events for teams of four men,
four women and four mixed (two men and two women). Two person relays are
comprised of two men, two women and two-mixed (one man and one woman). The
distance and number of laps skated by each team member are determined by age
and gender."
"In the U.S., a national indoor title is one of the most prestigious honors a
speed skater may earn. It can only be obtained by accumulating points in a
series of races over a variety of distances. The process towards determining a
champion in each division begins with the elimination races or heats for each
distance. These nerve-testers are followed by a pair of rounds from which only
six skaters emerge to battle for the top three final placements. Athletes have
the opportunity to race at the Indoor Speed Skating National Championships,
provided they qualify at one of the nine Regional levels first."
Outdoor Competition
from USA Roller Sports -
"Outdoor speed skating, the recognized international standard, is categorized
into road and track racing. Road race courses usually take the form of an
irregular closed loop with no bank on either corner, or an actual stretch of
closed road. Road race courses require constant power, with little or no
opportunity to coast, so endurance is a key factor in success. Track races,
however, are on a closed, oval course usually measuring 200 meters and
featuring banked corners. The National Championship venue for outdoor roller
speed skating in the United States is part of the Olympic Training Center in
Colorado Springs, Colorado."
"In each final, competitors are awarded 30 points for a win, 20 points for
placing second and 10 points for finishing third. The skater earning the most
points for all distances is awarded the national title in that division. As you
can see, skaters must combine their speed and stamina with consistency at a
variety of distances in order to be successful.
Banked Track & Road Nationals winners are eligible for positions on the world
team. In 2002, the World Speed Skating Team competed at the World Inline
Championships, in Oostende, Belgium."
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What equipment do I need?
There are two types of skates used for roller speed skating. Inlines and
Quads. You can begin learing how to Speed Skate on almost any quality,
recreational pair of skates, inline or quad. As your skills and proficiency
improve, acquiring a pair of skates designed for speed skating will improve
your enjoyment and make it easier to go fast. However, speed skates are NOT
required to learn the basic skills.
ANSI or SNELL approved Helmets are required for all practices conducted by the
Rocky Mountain Racing Team - without exception!
Most bicyle helmets that can be purchased meet these requirements. Knee,
elbow pads and wrist guards are optional and are not required.
Quad Skates
Quad Speed Skating has seen a decrease in participation over the last ten
years.
However, National Championships are still being held annually and the
opportunity to be a National Champion on Quads still exists. In 2003, the
former Front Range Speed Team members achieved 5 National Titles from Quad
Nationals in
Appleton, WI.
In-line Skates
The Rocky Mountain Speed Team primarily trains and competes on Inlines. In the
2002-03 season,
Rocky Mountain Racing members achieved 3 National Titles
from Indoor Nationals in
Lincoln, NE.
from USA Roller Sports -
"In-line skates have a permanent home in speed skating events throughout the
world. Not only are in-lines popular among recreational skaters, the design's
dominance over traditional quad skates in speed skating competitions has
prompted USA Roller Skating to create separate divisions in sanctioned meets.
In 1996, the USA Roller Skating Board of Directors also divided the two methods
into separate national championships. Recognizing its impact on the sport, USA
Roller Skating also successfully lobbied the Federation International de Roller
Skating (FIRS) to permit in-lines in international competition. This led to
in-lines making their debut at the 1992 World Speed Championships. Now in-lines
are the sole skate type in use for international competitions sponsored by the
FIRS."
"Although the sport is at home in a variety of locales, the two basic USA Roller
Skating (USARS) divisions are for indoor and outdoor events."
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Where can I buy equipment?
The easiest place to buy Speed Skating equipment is from the rink where you
skate. The knowledge of the coaching staff and fellow skaters will help you
purchase the right equipment to meet your budget and skill level.
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How much does it cost to practice?
The Rocky Mountain Racing Team practice fees range from $4.00 to $7.00 per
practice depending on location.
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Where are competitions held?
Competition for Roller Speed Skating are held across the United States and the
World! Take a moment to browse the "Upcoming Events" and "Results" part of
this web site to see where we have been and where we are going!
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What Organization Governs Roller Speed Skating?
USA Roller Sports (
http://www.usarollersports.org
), is the National Governing Body of Roller Speed Skating as recognized by the
United States Olympic Committee.
The Rocky Mountain Racing Team is a recognized club by USA Roller Sports and
it's
coaches are accredited by USA Roller Sports.
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