Technique is the key component in long track speed skating. It's a constant quest for the secret formula of how to convert power and endurance into speed in the most efficient way. 

Unlike runners, skaters don’t simply move straight ahead — they push sideways to generate forward speed.

Balancing bodyweight and timing the push is very precise. Keeping the body low with sharp angles in the knees and the hips is essential, not only to push efficiently, but also to keep air resistance as low as possible.

Casey Dawson (USA), at 190cm one of the tallest Speed Skaters on the circuit, keeps his body low to minimise air resistance © ISU

Cornering technique is different from skating on the straights. Instead of pushing to both sides symmetrically, skaters corner by crossing their right foot over their left, pushing on the outside edge of the blade with the left foot, and on the inside edge of the blade with the right foot. Many skaters actually accelerate better in the turns than on the straights.

New Olympic 3000m Champion Francesca Lollobrigida demonstrates textbook cornering technique © ISU

It's all about composure, balance, and timing — push too hard or lose balance and speed vanishes in an instant. 

Two-time Olympic 1500m Champion Kjeld Nuis (NED), pictured top, once explained how the public could see if he was good or not. 

“OK,” he replied, “here’s a little speed skating for dummies: When I’m not doing well, it looks wild. When you look at me and think that I’m too relaxed, then I’m good.”