Speed Skating ISU European Championships 2020

[heywoodu 15,152]

1 minute ago, Olympian1010 said:

The difference is I don’t want those events gone. I found the 50km awesome to watch, albeit a little tedious. The problem with the 10km is the lack of skaters that are competitive. It’s not fun to watch the same people win by large margins. I love skating distance and sprints, but I just find the sprints and epic distance Mass Starts more entertaining than the boring ass time trials.

 

But as a long-time fan, it is fun to see a few people battle it out lap after lap after lap, even if they are the same. As long as there are people cheering them on, that is, it's a whole lot less fun when they're at some dead rink in Kazakhstan or something. There aren't that many events in general where you've got tons of people with real chances anyway.

[Olympian1010 7,979]

Just now, heywoodu said:

 

But as a long-time fan, it is fun to see a few people battle it out lap after lap after lap, even if they are the same. As long as there are people cheering them on, that is, it's a whole lot less fun when they're at some dead rink in Kazakhstan or something. There aren't that many events in general where you've got tons of people with real chances anyway.

Fair. I guess it’s more just personal preference. As an athlete, I love time trials. However, as a spectator I favor the sprints and Mass Starts. The Team Pursuit is just interesting because it’s something different, and it adds a new dynamic to the sport.

[heywoodu 15,152]

1 minute ago, Olympian1010 said:

Fair. I guess it’s more just personal preference. As an athlete, I love time trials. However, as a spectator I favor the sprints and Mass Starts. The Team Pursuit is just interesting because it’s something different, and it adds a new dynamic to the sport.

In road cycling I like time trials as well. These things boil down to the pure essence of sports: a person battling against him/herself, the elements and the clock.

[Olympian1010 7,979]

3 minutes ago, heywoodu said:

In road cycling I like time trials as well. These things boil down to the pure essence of sports: a person battling against him/herself, the elements and the clock.

Of course I could say the same things about Mass Starts from my time as a runner. I agree with that though. I’m just saying that those aren’t necessary the most interesting, exciting, or entertaining events to watch. They should absolutely be kept on the program though.

[heywoodu 15,152]

British record for Ellia Smeding on her home track  

[heywoodu 15,152]

Jutta Leerdam with the 2nd fastest time ever in Thialf

[heywoodu 15,152]

Jesus Christ, 1:07.09 in Thialf is utterly, completely, absolutely bizarre    

Edited January 12, 2020 by heywoodu