Speed skating is a competitive ice skating sport where athletes race against the clock to travel a set distance. It’s the fastest human-powered sport in the world, with top athletes reaching speeds of nearly 50 kilometers per hour.
Speed skating appeared for the first time in 1924 at the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix. With the addition of the mass start event at PyeongChang 2018, Speed Skating now consists of 14 events (seven for men, seven for women) which are the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m, mass start and team pursuit. Speed Skating has the most number of events at the Winter Olympic Games.
Iceworld™ Acacia Ridge has a very special relationship with Speed Skating as the home to one of Australia’s most famous Olympic gold medal winners, Steven Bradbury OAM. Bradbury took an unlikely gold medal win in the men’s short-track 1000 metres event at the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Steven Bradbury not only won Australia’s first gold medal at a Winter Games, he was part of the Australian short track speed skating relay team that won Australia’s first-ever winter Olympic medal, a bronze in Lillehammer in 1994.
3 Steps to Speed Skating
Learn to Skate
To pursue Speed Skating, the first step is to learn the fundamental skills of ice skating. Learn to Skate at Iceworld™, enjoying access to our APSA Qualified Coaches. After completing Test 5-6 level, you will have acquired the basics to try out Speed Skating!
Learn more about Aussie Skate™ Lessons at Iceworld™ here.
Come’n’Try
Keep an eye out each February for advertised Come’n’Try sessions delivered by the local clubs based at Iceworld™ Acacia Ridge and Iceworld™ Boondall.
Join a Club
Queensland is home to two Speed Skating Clubs, one each based at Iceworld™ Acacia Ridge and Iceworld™ Boondall. The Clubs are associated with Australian Ice Racing through Queensland Ice Racing Association.
Scroll down to learn more & Clubs’ contact details.
Speed Skating at Acacia Ridge
Roos Short Track Speed Skating Club has been based at Acacia Ridge since speed skating first became a sport in Australia. Iceworld™ Acacia Ridge proudly was the home of Steven Bradbury OAM, and became a hotbed for Australia’s fastest skaters in the early 2000s.
Sign Up!
If you’re already a competent skater and have a desire to go fast, join the Roos Short Track Speed Skating Club by following the link below. Select ‘Roos Short Track Speed Skating Club’ and complete the registration: https://australianiceracing.org/state-associations/join-now-membership-links/
Get Connected!
Speed Skating at Boondall
The Blades Short Track Speed Skating Club is a welcoming club for anyone interested in short track speed skating. Based at Iceworld™ Boondall, Blades caters for beginners through to world class speed skaters. Programs start with Nippers (under 8yrs old) through to Masters (over 30 yrs old).
Sign Up!
If you’re already a competent skater and have a desire to go fast, join the Blades Short Track Speed Skating Club by following the link below. Select ‘Blades Short Track Speed Skating Club’ and complete the registration: https://australianiceracing.org/state-associations/join-now-membership-links/
