Oval Finale

The 2025 Oval Finale Sprint Competition is a total points competition over 4 distances. Skaters will race 2 x 500m and 1000m over 2 days.

Drawing Procedures

• For 500m (1) and 1000m (1) all competitors will be ranked according to their best qualifying time in the respective distance achieved between July 1, 2023 and March 17, 2025.
• 500m (1) and 1000m (1) – Competitors will be divided into groups of 4 skaters for the draw.
• 500m (1) and 1000m (1) – the first 12 pairs will be composed of the top 24 seed times in the respective distance with the lowest ranked skaters starting in the first pair. The remaining pairs will run from highest seed to lowest seed.
• In the third and the fourth distance the arrangement of pairs shall be based on the ranking in total points after 2 and 3 distances respectively, following the same format as distance 1 and 2 with the first 12 pairs composed of the top 24 ranked skaters with the lowest ranked skaters starting in the first pair, and the remaining pairs running highest seed to lowest seed. If some Competitors are equal in total points, the Competitor with the better time in the first race of the distance concerned is considered to be better ranked. However, the arrangement of pairs for each distance shall be made in such a way that all participants change their starting lanes the second day; i.e. Competitors who started in the inner lane the first day against Competitors who started in the outer lane.
• In case of withdrawals after the draw, rearrangements of pairs will be done according to ISU Rule 245.
• All ISU Racing Rules apply as per II. TECHNICAL RULES SPEED SKATING

Results
ISU Rule 265 2., 3., and 4.

Winners
ISU Rule 268 1.a)

Prizing for the top 3 in the overall sprint classification men and women

The 2025 Oval Finale Allround Competition is a total points competition over 4 distances. Women will race the 500m/1500m/1000m/3000m. Men will race the 500m/3000m/1500m/5000m. The Allround competition is run over 3 days.

Drawing Procedures

• For the 500m and 1500m Women and 3000m* Men all competitors will be ranked according to their best qualifying time in the respective distance achieved between July 1, 2023 and March 11, 2025. *The 3000m Men will be seeded by their 1500m seed time.
• 500m and 1500m Women/3000m Men – Competitors will be divided into groups of 4 skaters for the draw.
• For the 500m – the first 12 pairs will be composed of the top 24 seed times in the respective distance with the lowest ranked skaters starting in the first pair. The remaining pairs will run from highest seed to lowest seed.
• For the third distance, 1000m Women and 1500m Men, the arrangement of pairs shall be based on the ranking in total points after 2 distances. The first 8 pairs will be composed of the top 16 ranked skaters with the lowest ranked skaters starting in the first pair. The remaining pairs will run from highest seed to lowest seed.
• For the fourth distance, 3000m Women and 5000m Men, the arrangement of pairs shall be based on the ranking in total points after 3 distances. These distances will run in quartets. The first 4 quartets will be composed of the top 16 ranked skaters with the lowest ranked skaters starting in the first quartet. The remaining quartets will run from highest seed to lowest seed.
• If some Competitors are equal in total points after the third or fourth distance, the Competitor with the better time in the first distance is considered to be better ranked.
• All skaters qualify for the 4^th distance.
• All ISU Racing Rules apply as per II. TECHNICAL RULES SPEED SKATING

Results
ISU Rule 265 2., 3., and 4.

Winners
ISU Rule 268 1.a)

Prizing for the top 3 in the overall allround classification men and women

Time Standard - athletes must have the 1500m or 3000m/5000m time standard to qualify.

Individual distances will be available each day after the Sprint and Allround events. Athletes entered into an individual distance will be paired only with other athletes entered in an individual distance, and not with athletes competing in the Sprint or Allround events.

Drawing Procedures

• 500m (1), 500m (2), 1000m (1), and 1000m (2) - all competitors will be ranked according to their best qualifying time in the respective distance achieved between July 1, 2023 and March 17, 2025. Competitors will be divided into groups of 4 skaters for the draw. The first 12 pairs will be composed of the top 24 seed times in the respective distance with the lowest ranked skaters starting in the first pair. The remaining pairs will run from highest seed to lowest seed.
• 1500m - all competitors will be ranked according to their best qualifying time in the respective distance achieved between July 1, 2023 and March 17, 2025. Competitors will be divided into groups of 4 skaters for the draw. The first 8 pairs will be composed of the top 16 seed times in the respective distance with the lowest ranked skaters starting in the first pair. The remaining pairs will run from highest seed to lowest seed.
• 3000m Women and 5000m Men - all competitors will be ranked according to their best qualifying time in the respective distance achieved between July 1, 2023 and March 17, 2025. Competitors will be divided into groups of 4 skaters for the draw. These distances will run in quartets. The first 4 quartets will be composed of the top 16 seed times with the lowest ranked skaters starting in the first quartet. The remaining quartets will run from highest seed to lowest seed.
• 5000m Women and 10000m Men - all competitors will be ranked according to their best qualifying time (3000m Women and 5000m Men) in the respective distance achieved between July 1, 2023 and March 17, 2025. Competitors will be divided into groups of 4 skaters for the draw. These distances will run in quartets. The quartets will run with the highest seeded skaters in the first quartet.

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

The 2025 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, 2023 and March 17, 2025. Each race consists of 3 skaters on the ice. Seeding rounds of this event are raced to determine the participants in the A and B finals.

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 – 2 races (3 athletes)

Skaters are ranked by their time skated in the Semis. The 1^st ranked skater in each race is placed in the middle lane, the 2^nd ranked skater is placed in the outer lane, and the 3^rd ranked skater is placed in the inner lane.

                        Inner Lane       Middle Lane      Outer Lane

A Final              Athlete 3           Athlete 1           Athlete 2

B Final              Athlete 5           Athlete 4           Athlete 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 2025 Oval Finale Team Sprint Competition is a fun event that allows the athletes to create their own teams. Teams are submitted to the Olympic Oval front desk by Saturday March 22 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 2025 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 track.

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 2025 Oval Finale 10 Lap Mass Start is a fun event at this years finale, rewarding intermediate sprint and overall winners.

Racing Rules

ISU rules for 10 lap junior mass start distances will apply.

Winners

• Cash prizes awarded to the top 3 winners.
• Schwag prizes awarded to the top 3 in each intermediate sprint on laps 4 and 7 (must not be lapped to be eligible for prizes)

The 2025 Oval Finale 4 Lap Hockey Skate Mass Start Race to determine 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 2025 Oval Finale 100m hockey skate race is an event 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 23rd at 2pm 

Check in will be from 1pm-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 21

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

• Athlete Check-in 9:00am-3:00pm

Thursday, March 20, 2025

• Coaches Meeting - Olympic Oval Lounge 8:00am
• Flying 400m
• Women 500m Allround 
• Men 500m Allround 
• Women 1500m Allround (Individual Distance Available)
• Men 3000m* Allround (Individual Distance Available)

Friday, March 21, 2025

• Women 500m (1) Sprint (Individual Distance Available)
• Men 500m (1) Sprint (Individual Distance Available)
• Women 1000m (1) Sprint (Individual Distance Available)
• Men 1000m (1) Sprint (Individual Distance Available)
• Women 1000m Allround
• Men 1500m Allround (Individual Distance Available)

Saturday, March 22, 2025

• Women 500m (2) Sprint (Individual Distance Available)
• Men 500m (2) Sprint (Individual Distance Available)
• Women 1000m (2) Sprint (Individual Distance Available)
• Men 1000m (2) Sprint (Individual Distance Available)
• Women 3000m* Allround (Individual Distance Available)
• Men 5000m* Allround (Individual Distance Available)

Sunday, March 23, 2025 

• Women 5000m* (Top 8 seeds only based on 3000m times)
• Men 10000m* (Top 8 seeds only based on 5000m times)
• Women 100m Heats
• Men 100m Heats
• Women 100m Final
• Men 100m Final
• 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)
• Women Mass Start
• Men Mass Start
• Hockey Skate 100m - 2pm (Check-in 1:00-1:30pm) 

*Restricted entry

General Regulations

The Oval Finale Speed Skating competition will be held in accordance with the 2024 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.

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, 2010.

Citizenship/Residence requirements and Clearance Procedure

In accordance with Rule 109 of the ISU Regulations and the current ISU Communication, 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 19, 2025. Coaches Meeting time and location TBD

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 2025 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 Oval Finale must be submitted electronically.

Entry Fees
Sprint or Allround $100.00 CDN (includes GST) - (Registration includes a Finale T-shirt)
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 (includes GST)
*10 Lap Mass Start Races $10 (includes GST)
*Hockey Skate Mass Start $10 (includes GST)
*Hockey Skate 100m $10 (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, March 7, 2025 (Sprint, Allround and Individual Distances)
*11:59 p.m., Monday, March 17, 2025 (Flying Lap 400m, 100m, 10 Lap 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.

Sprint Event - No time standard

Allround Event - athletes must have the 1500m or 3000m/5000m time standard to qualify.

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

Individual Distances - No time standards required for 500m, 1000m, 1500m.   For participation in the 3000m and 5000, athletes must meet the time standards in that respective distance as indicated below.          

Women
1500m      2:35.40 (allround event)     
3000m     5:26.70   
Men
1500m      2:19.40 (allround event)  
3000m     5:02.00   
5000m     8:28.60    

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, 2023 and the entry deadline for the Event.

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 2425OOLT

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 app coming soon

For athletes who set a personal best in an individual distance (500, 1000, 1500, 3000, or 5000m) will receive a personal best prize. A PB prize will be awarded for each distance that a PB is skated.  PB prizes will be available for pick-up from the Oval Front Desk on the following day.  

Streaming live on the Olympic Oval YouTube channel.

Link to all archived Olympic Oval Long Track results.

Link to the Sportity App web version