What is the mass start in speed skating?
It's a long-track speed skating race where all skaters start together, covering 16 laps with sprints every four laps.
Sports / Olympics
As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina come to a close, American speed skaters Jordan Stolz and Mia Manganello are set to compete in the mass start event. Stolz aims for a third gold medal, while Manganello, at the peak of her career,...
The mass start is unique in long-track speed skating because all competitors begin simultaneously, racing 16 laps (6,400 meters). Intermediate sprints occur every four laps, adding a strategic element to the race. Skaters earn points on these intermediate laps, but the top three finishers in the final sprint secure the medals.
Stolz's versatility and speed make him a strong contender, despite his relative inexperience in the mass start at the senior level. Manganello's experience and World Cup success position her as another top contender for a medal.
Other notable competitors include Belgium's Bart Swings, the reigning Olympic champion, and Canada's Ivanie Blondin and Valerie Maltais.
It's a long-track speed skating race where all skaters start together, covering 16 laps with sprints every four laps.
Only Eric Heiden has accomplished this, winning five golds in 1980.
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