"If Goldilocks were a speedskater, hockey ice would be medium hard, for fast puck movement and sharp turns. Figure skating ice would be softer, allowing push off for jumps and so the ice doesn't shatter on landing. Curling ice is the softest and warmest of all, for controlled sliding. For speedskating ice to be just right, it must be hard, cold and clean. And very, very smooth."
"It's one of the biggest challenges I've had in icemaking," Messer said during an interview less than two weeks into the process."
"The blades are so sharp, that if there is some dirt, the blade will lose the edge," Messer said, and the skater will lose speed."
Milan Cortina 2026 will host Olympic speedskating on a temporary indoor rink built inside trade fair halls in Rho north of Milan. Mark Messer, an experienced Olympic ice master and former Calgary Oval technician, has been creating the ice one thin layer at a time since late October. Messer describes the project as one of his biggest icemaking challenges. Speedskating ice must be very hard, very cold, immaculately clean and extremely smooth so blades retain their edge and skaters maintain maximum glide. Former Olympic champion Enrico Fabris emphasizes equal conditions for all skaters and prefers fast, pleasurable ice.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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