BEIJING — In speedskating’s team pursuit, the three team members skate single file, so close together that they move as if they were one six-legged skater, pushing and gliding in perfect unison. The race hasn’t changed much through the years. But when the men’s team pursuit races begin here on Sunday, several countries will deploy a strategy that has upended conventional skating wisdom and helped the United States set a world record. Traditionally, the lead skater peels off the front of the train every lap or two and reattaches to…
Tag: Speedskating
Nils van der Poel, Swedish Speedskater, Has Something to Say
In the 10,000, skaters must push themselves to skate just below their maximum effort, and then hold on for dear life through 25 laps. Van der Poel’s training for the event differs from most of his competitors in that it includes no strength training. Instead, in the spring and summer he does enormous amounts of low-intensity training, like those ultramarathons and bike rides. When speedskating season arrives in the fall and winter, van der Poel switches to high-intensity training, but mostly only speedskating itself. He estimates that he has skated…