Speed Skating at the Winter Olympic Games 2018

[heywoodu 15,353]

  On 2/18/2018 at 5:06 AM, Nate River said:

Oh, they changed the format?

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I guess so  

 

This makes sense though, first based on time (not on World Cup standings) and then 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 for the final. 

[james89 875]

The Wikipedia article showed it as a bracket though...

[heywoodu 15,353]

  On 2/18/2018 at 6:06 AM, james89 said:

The Wikipedia article showed it as a bracket though...

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Yep, someone didn't pay attention there  

 

[stepansevs 138]

Do you know if there will be 2 races in 500m or only 1? Thank you

 

[heywoodu 15,353]

  On 2/18/2018 at 7:09 AM, stepansevs said:

Do you know if there will be 2 races in 500m or only 1? Thank you

 

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Since IOC/ISU wanted to actually turn the competition into something that's mathematically unfair, they've changed the format from 2 runs to 1, giving a random advantage to 50% of the field

 

[stepansevs 138]

  On 2/18/2018 at 7:19 AM, heywoodu said:

Since IOC/ISU wanted to actually turn the competition into something that's mathematically unfair, they've changed the format from 2 runs to 1, giving a random advantage to 50% of the field

 

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Stupid decision.  The same as in moguls,  freestyle skiing,  canoeing slalom... 

[heywoodu 15,353]

  On 2/18/2018 at 7:22 AM, stepansevs said:

Stupid decision.  The same as in moguls,  freestyle skiing,  canoeing slalom... 

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Not sure how it works in freestyle skiing or canoeing slalom, but here there is one rider who can actually hear the starting shot earlier, and there's a major difference between finishing outside or inside.

[dcro 10,210]

  On 2/18/2018 at 7:23 AM, heywoodu said:

Not sure how it works in freestyle skiing or canoeing slalom, but here there is one rider who can actually hear the starting shot earlier, and there's a major difference between finishing outside or inside.

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Then 400m in athletics has the same thing.

[Monzanator 4,611]

  On 2/18/2018 at 8:18 AM, dcro said:

 

Then 400m in athletics has the same thing.

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But there are heats in the 400m so you can work yourself to a favorable lane.

 

The decision to hold only one heat in the 500m is downright stupid and pathetic. I believe there will be enough controversy either here or in Beijing that they will change it back to the old format.

 

Admittedly some of the bigger guys like Poland's Artur Was said they prefer to finish on the outside bc the inner lane becomes too tight and throws him to the outside. However I don't see such problems for the women.

 

Kodaira will finish on the outside lane while Lee Sang-Hwa on the inside, tell me that's a coincidence?

[Monzanator 4,611]

  On 2/16/2018 at 5:53 PM, OlympicsFan said:

Would be great for the sport, if an idol like her continues to compete. Speed skating is losing more and more popularity, so an international star like here can only help the sport. Would be absolutely sensational if she would win a medal in mass start.

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It rather speaks how badly the German speed skating has fallen off in this decade when there is no one who can dislodge a woman old enoigh to be a grandmother from the Olympic line-up. It's very un-German like to lose the plot in an event which used to bring you so much success.