Bennink and Song, alongside their team, are critically examining the world of speed skating, not out of dissatisfaction but driven by curiosity about its evolving landscape.
Schaatsen.nl, published in the Netherlands, provides the original insights for this article.
Bennink observes that changes in the sport are often met with hesitation, particularly among coaches who feel a strong responsibility to protect competitive results. This sense of duty often leads them to prefer trusted equipment, which provides a sense of certainty and stability, making performance easier to manage. However, he also notes that a smaller group of coaches, who are early adopters, embrace innovation early on. Their acceptance plays a significant role in demonstrating what is possible and often paves the way for broader acceptance within the sport.
This careful balance between certainty and innovation is understandable, especially within an Olympic cycle where experimenting can feel risky — something that the speed skating community tends to avoid. According to Skate-Tec, however, this cautious approach carries its own risks, namely stagnation. For example, while skate shoes are custom-made to the millimeter across the sport, many athletes still use standardized blades. Song emphasizes that blades also need to be customized, since speed, technique, and body structure vary between skaters. Bennink summarizes this by stating, “If you copy, you do not optimize.”
There is also a distinction between short track and long track speed skating regarding equipment sensitivity. Short track skaters are highly discerning of even small changes, whereas long track skaters often do not notice subtle differences. Bennink clarifies that this observation is not a criticism but rather a fact of how equipment is approached differently across the disciplines. In long track skating, equipment discussions generally arise only when problems occur. Skate-Tec aims to encourage earlier and more proactive conversations about equipment to foster ongoing improvements.
