Speed skaters switch lanes during races to ensure all competitors cover the exact same distance on the track.
ISU, the International Skating Union from Switzerland, explains the reasons and rules behind lane changes in speed skating competitions.
Speed skating is conducted on a standard 400-meter oval track that contains two lanes: an inner lane and an outer lane. Since the outer lane is longer, skaters switch lanes every lap so that each skater completes equal distances with one inner and one outer turn per lap. This alternating system ensures fair competition despite the differing lane lengths.
The lane changes occur only on the backstretch of the track, which is one of the two straight sections. The skater moving from the outer to the inner lane has priority to avoid collisions. Colored armbands help officials and spectators distinguish which lane each skater started in: white and red in pairs, while a quartet start includes yellow and blue.
Unlike individual distance races, mass start and team events do not involve lane changes. Instead, these events are measured by a predetermined number of laps rather than distance to simplify the racing format. Additionally, some race distances that include an uneven number of turns employ staggered starting positions to equalize distance covered by competitors at the finish line.
An interesting technical detail is that the backstretch of a regulation track is constructed with an extra seven centimeters. This minor extension compensates for the extra distance skaters travel during lane changes, keeping each lap at an exact 400 meters.
