Oval Finale

The 2026 Oval Finale 400m flying lap is a fun event that rewards the best 400m tempo.

Racing Rules

Session Format

• Each session lasts 30 minutes per group.
• Maximum of 30 skaters per group.
• If more than 30 skaters enter, they will be divided into two groups based on 500m seed times.

Timing & Race Window

• 20-minute warm-up period.
• 10-minute race window during which official times will be recorded.
• Skaters may make unlimited attempts within the race window.
  • To make another attempt, they must have completed their previous attempt.
• A skater's lap is disqualified if they cross the start line for a race lap before the race window opens.
• 400m times will be recorded using transponders on the inner race lane (not the warm up lane).

Race Procedure

• Skaters must wind up from 400m before their timed lap.
• The wind-up must start by entering the track from the 500m finish line.
• Falls & Track Closures:
  • If a skater falls, the track will be closed and the clock paused.
  • The referee will determine when the track will re-open and the clock started again.

Gated & Coaching Zones

• 40m Gated Zone (from transponder start line on backstretch to the end of the coach’s box):
  • Only one skater may be in this zone at a time while winding up.
  • If a trailing skater enters this zone, their time will be erased.
• 30m Coaches’ Zone:
  • Located 30m back from the finish line in the infield.

Passing & Overtaking

• Responsibility for safe passing is on the overtaking skater.
• Over taking skater must pass on the outside
• The skater being overtaken must maintain a consistent track pattern.

Winners???

• Cash prizes awarded to the top 3 fastest times.  In the event of a tie, the top placing goes to the athlete that set the time first.

The following individual distances will be available to enter for both Women and Men.

500m (1)
500m (2)
1000m (1)
1000m (2)
1500m
3000m
5000m

The 2026 Oval Finale Mass Start Event will be a 16 lap elimination race as per ISU Communication 2749.

There will be a total of one Women's and one Men's race. The top 24 skaters registered based on their 1500m seed time from July 1, 2024 to March 9, 2026 will qualify for the event.

The 2026 Oval Finale 100m Event is a display of the fastest skaters over 100m. This event is open to the top 45 skaters per gender based on their 500m seed time achieved between July 1, 2024 and March 11, 2026. Each race consists of 3 skaters on the ice. Each skater will race a heat to determine the top 6 skaters that will advance to the B Final (rank 4-6) and A Final (rank 1-3).

Races composition for the seeding round will be random.

The fastest 3 times will advance to the A final, and the next fastest 3 times will advance to the B final.

Final A and B

Skaters are ranked by their time skated in the Heats. The lane positions are determined as follows.

                        Inner Lane       Middle Lane      Outer Lane

A Final              Rank 3               Rank 1                Rank 2

B Final              Rank 5               Rank 4               Rank 6

Racing Rules
All ISU Racing Rules apply as per II. TECHNICAL RULES SPEED SKATING

Winners???
Cash prizes are presented to the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd winners of the A Final. Schwag Prizes are awarded to the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th in the B final

The 2026 Oval Finale Team Sprint Event is an opportunity for athletes to create their own teams. Teams are submitted to the Olympic Oval front desk by Saturday March 14 at 2:00pm MT. Team name provided by the Team (subject to approval by the organizing committee). Teams are randomly drawn to create races.

Racing Rules
All ISU Racing Rules apply as per II. TECHNICAL RULES SPEED SKATING

Results
ISU Rule 265 7.

Winners - 1st/2nd/3rd Women Teams and 1st/2nd/3rd Men Teams
ISU Rule 268 1.b)

The 2026 Oval Finale 4 Lap Hockey Skate Mass Start Event determines the fastest skater on hockey skates over a distance of 4 laps.

Racing Rules

• ISU mass start protective equipment requirements will apply (including level 3 cut resistant suits)
• 4 lap mass start race with a neutral 50m rolling start.

Winners???

• Cash prizes awarded to the top 3 winners.

The 2026 Oval Finale 100m Hockey Skate Event is an opportunity for anyone and rewards the best time over 100m in hockey skates! 

This event is open to anyone who has a pair of hockey skates and a helmet!

The Race will take place on Sunday March 15th at 2:00pm. 

Check in will be from 1:00-1:30pm 

Race Format: 

• Races will be run 3 skaters at a time in no specific order. You will be ranked based on your finishing time within your category.
• There will be 4 different race categories: 12-16 year Women, 12-16 year Men, 17+ Women and 17+ Men 

Race Rules: 

• Hockey skates only. Helmets are mandatory as per Olympic Oval public ice use regulations. 

Winners: 

• The top 3 fastest times from each category will be awarded cash prizes.
• Registration Closes 11:59pm on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

• Athlete Check-in 9:00am-3:00pm

Thursday, March 12, 2026

• Coaches Meeting - Olympic Oval Lounge 8:00am
• Flying 400m
• Men 1500m
• Women 1500m

Friday, March 13, 2026

• Women 500m(1)
• Men 500m(1)
• Women 1000m(1)
• Men 1000m(1)
• Women 3000m*
• Men 3000m*

Saturday, March 14, 2026

• Men 500m(2)
• Women 500m(2)
• Men 1000m(2)
• Women 1000m(2)
• Men 5000m*
• Women 5000m*

Sunday, March 15, 2026 

• Women 100m Heats
• Men 100m Heats
• Women 100m Final B and A
• Men 100m Final B and B
• Hockey Skate 100m
• Mass Start - 16L Elimination
• Women 4 Lap Hockey Skate Mass Start
• Men 4 Lap Hockey Skate  Mass Start
• Women Team Sprint (submit your team to Oval front desk)
• Men Team Sprint (submit your team to Oval front desk)

*Restricted entry

General Regulations
The Classic Series Competitions will be held in accordance with the 2025 International Skating Union Regulations and updates and is open to all skaters who belong to an ISU member country.  It is listed on the International Skating Union Calendar and sanctioned by Speed Skating Canada and Alberta Speed Skating.

The Track
The Olympic Oval is a standard speed skating track of 400 meters to the lap.  The refrigerated ice track has a 5 meter wide warmup lane.  The radii of the inner and outer competition lanes are 26 and 30 meters respectively.  The width of the racing track is 4 meters.

Citizenship/Residence requirements and Clearance Procedure
In accordance with Rule 109 of the ISU Regulations and ISU Communication No. 2526, all skaters who do not have the nationality of the Member by which they have been entered or who, although having such nationality, have in the past represented another Member, must produce an ISU Clearance Certificate.

Composition and the Starting Order of Pairs
The draw is conducted under the current SSC rules and ISU rules where applicable. The Pairings for Day One will be available by 4:00pm on Wednesday March 11, 2026.

Liability
In accordance with ISU Rule 119; the International Skating Union, Speed Skating Canada, Speed Skating Alberta, the Olympic Oval, and the University of Calgary assume no responsibility for, or liability with respect to bodily or personal injury or loss of property or damage incurred in connection with the 2026 Oval Finale Speed Skating Competition. Each Skater is solely responsible for providing insurance coverage thereto.

Transportation
Each skater is responsible for his/her own transportation.

Entries for the 2026 Oval Finale must be submitted electronically.

Entries
Any bonafide member of the International Skating Union may compete in the Oval Finale Competition, provided that the member is properly registered with the Olympic Oval approved by their member country.

Skaters must be Junior C2 or older to compete.  Ie. Born before July 1, 2011.

Entry Fees
Individual Distance $30 CDN (includes GST) - (Registration in 2 individual distances includes a Finale T-shirt)
*100m Event $10 CDN (includes GST)
*Flying Lap Event $10 CDN (includes GST)
*Mass Start - 16L Elimination -  $10 CDN (includes GST)
*Hockey Skate Mass Start $10 CDN (includes GST)
*Hockey Skate 100m $10 CDN (includes GST)
*Team Sprint $15 CDN per team (includes GST)
Late Fee: Double entry fee after the Entry Deadline.
Note: An entry cannot be guaranteed if entered after the deadline.

Entry Deadlines
11:59 p.m., Friday, February 26, 2026 (Individual Distances)
*11:59 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (Flying Lap 400m, 100m, Mass Start, Hockey Skate Mass Start, Hockey Skate 100m)

*Special Events (Registration does not include a Finale T-shirt) 

Olympic Oval Waiver Form
Skaters in their first competition of the season in the Olympic Oval must fill out the Waiver Form.

No time standards for the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m.
Women 3000m – 5:05.00 or 1500m 2:22.00
Men 3000m – 4:45.00 or 1500m 2:12.00
Men 5000m – 7:45.00 or 1500m 2:12.00 

In order for a result to be a valid Qualifying Time, it must have been achieved in an ISU or SSC Event between July 1, 2024 and March 11, 2026.

100m Event - top 45 athletes per gender based on their 500m seed time qualify.

All Skaters will be charged for their ice training prior to the competition with the exception of the day prior to the competition where training is free of charge. For training times and fees, please check our website at https://oval.ucalgary.ca/speed-skating/schedules-rates/schedules  or contact Oval Guest Services at ovalguestservices@ucalgary.ca

The Olympic Oval is utilizing the Sportity App for seamless and efficient communication during events. The app can be downloaded on the Apple Store or Google Play Store for free. Ensure your notifications are turned on to receive event communications in a timely manner. Each event has its own password. Oval Finale password is 2526OOLT

Download from Apple Store

Download from Google Play

Award Categories: 

• MVS (Most Valuable Skater) - Best skater of the competition - Male
• MVS (Most Valuable Skater) - Best skater of the competition - Female
• MVV (Most Valuable Volunteer) - Volunteer/official of the competition & or year
• Da Bomb - Biggest blow-up (drop-off) in a race
• The Best Fit - Best skating suit/outfit
• The Wednesday Champ - Biggest tempo merchant (a fast tempo but not translated into the races) 

Voting link will be posted on Sportity.

Athletes who set a personal best in an individual distance (500, 1000, 1500, 3000, or 5000m) will receive a prize. Athletes can earn a total of one prize regardless of how many personal bests an athlete achieves in the competition. PB prizes will be available for pick-up from the Oval Front Desk on the following day.

Visit our official hotel and accommodation partnership page to receive discounts for Olympic Oval guests.

• Alt Hotel
• Aloft Hotel
• Best Western Village Park Inn
• Comfort Inn & Suites
• Four Points by Sheraton
• Staybridge Suites

Streaming live on the Olympic Oval YouTube channel.

Link to all archived Olympic Oval Long Track results.

Link to the Sportity App web version