When can a speed skater re-skate a race?
A · Advanced · The races · 1 of 3A skater interfered with through no fault of their own is allowed a fresh start. If they finished the first race, the better time counts. They get at least 30 minutes' rest unless they agree to go sooner. A broken skate or dirty ice is not a reason, and neither is feeling put off by something beside the track.
How it works
- Interference: a fresh start through no fault of the skater.
- Better time counts: if the first race was finished.
- Obstacle: a fresh start if it stopped the skater.
- Fallen skater or the partner's foul: the referee cannot refuse it.
- Not accepted: a broken skate or dirty ice.
- Rest: at least 30 minutes, unless the skater agrees to less.
- Lane: normally the same lane as before.
- Several re-skaters: paired up where possible.
The glossary has the fresh start, the re-skate, the official time, the pairs racing, the inner lane and outer lane and the ice conditions.
Tricky cases
A skater's blade breaks mid-race. Can they re-skate?
No. A broken skate is not accepted as an obstacle.
The other skater changes lanes wrongly and blocks them. Re-skate?
Yes. The referee cannot deny a fresh start for the partner's foul.
Can a team pursuit team re-skate?
Yes, if one of its skaters was interfered with as the rule describes.
Is there a fresh start in the mass start?
No. The fresh-start rule does not apply to mass starts, though a big first-lap crash restarts the race.
Why the rule exists
A fresh start gives back a race lost to someone else's fault. Keeping the better time means re-skating cannot hurt the skater.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs | Fresh start for interference | ISU 260 |
| Team races | The team re-skates | ISU 256 (4) |
| Mass start | Restart only for a first-lap mass crash | ISU 257 (1.4), (4.1) |
From the rule book
ISU, Sports Rules: Speed Skating (as of 12 June 2026), rules 256 (4), 257 and 260. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the ISU Sports Rules, updated each season with ISU Communications.