Frequently Asked Questions

• Olympic event since 1992

• Often referred to as NASCAR on ice

• Skaters race counter clockwise on an Olympic sized hockey rink

• Athletes compete in individual and relay races done in a pack or mass start

• Competition reduces the field through elimination races until the final round

(From https://www.usspeedskating.org/)

In short track speed skating, athletes compete not against the clock, but against each other. This introduces the elements of strategy, bravery, and skill needed for racing, which makes short track speed skating exciting and embodies the allure of competitive sports.

Speed skating is a sport for all ages and ability levels, including beginners, local/regional level skaters, national level skaters, world class skaters, and, of course, Olympians. Whether you are looking for entry level skating, professional or part-time training, a viable cross-training alternative, or simply a recreational experience, speed skating offers unique developmental opportunities to variety of requirements for athletic involvement and success.

Short track speed skating is a technical sport. Height, body ratio, and gender are not decisive factors for being a speed skater.

Please contact [email protected] to let us know you are interested in joining us or training with Pinnacle as a visitor skater.

Pinnacle Training Program general year-round season

• Summer Season (May-August)

• Fall Season (September-December)

• Winter Season (January-March)

Each training session will be around 3 hours, including ice and dryland sessions. If you have any questions regarding Pinnacle training schedule or registration, please feel free to reach out to us through [email protected].

Pinnacle is located at Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Pettit National Ice Center has one of the only two indoor oval speed skating facilities in the nation, world class coaches, national elite level speed skating training program, and a remarkable history and singular Olympic heritage in speed skating excellence. https://thepettit.com/

Protective gear is required on ice at all times and proper workout shoes should be worn for dryland exercise.

• Short track speed skates that meet safety and quality standards. Any speed skates with potential safety hazards are not allowed. Rental speed skates are available with advance notice.

• Blades guards

• Speedskating Helmet

• Skating skinsuit

• Cut resistant gloves

• Cut resistant neck guard

• Cut resistant ankle protectors

• Cut resistant full-body suit (highly recommended)

The new and younger skaters are required to wear a helmet, full fingered gloves, long sleeves, and long sweat pants, running tights are preferred.

Neck guard, elbow protection, soft knee pads (Volley ball or soccer knee pads work well), shin guards, and ankle protection are highly recommended.

We provide an equipment combo that includes

• Short Track Speed Skates

• Speedskating Helmets

• Blade guards / Soakers

• Cut Resistant Protective Gear

For more detail information, please reach out to us through [email protected]

To maintain the sharpness of the blades and protect the edges of the blades from damage or abrasion caused by other materials on the floor of the ice rink, please always cover the blades with skate guards when the skates are worn and used anywhere other than on the ice, includes putting the skates on and taking them off, walking on the floor, etc.

• Always dry the blades as soon as possible after getting off the ice with any absorbent material, such as a cloth or paper towel to prevent the blades from rusting.

• Never leave a guard on a wet blade or put a wet guard onto a dry blade.

• If your blades are rusted, please ask our coaches for help before attempting any remedy.

• Report any loose blades, screws, brackets, broken laces, etc. to our coaches.

• If the blades are uncovered during transportation storage, remember to prevent the blades from banging into each other or into the other boot. Either action will cause damage.

• Never sharpen the speed skates’ blades in any type of automatic skate sharpener. Speed skate blades need to be sharpened manually with special equipment such as jig and sharpening stone. Please ask our coaches for further information and instructions.