The 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Turin and Cortina d’Ampezzo are just around the corner. In the Netherlands, speed skating is one of the most important sports. As in football, there are endless discussions about technique, physical condition and the specific conditions in the stadium or on the outdoor rink.
When discussing conditions, imprecisely defined parameters are used, such as ice hardness, ice friction, air pressure, ventilation in the arena, turbulence and the influence of other skaters. It would be far more scientific to determine all relevant influencing factors accurately with a single measuring instrument, similar to the Stimp Meter used in golf to measure the speed of the greens around the hole. This would make it possible to compare different ice rinks quantitatively, and therefore compare skating times as well. An athletic performance in Thialf might in fact have been better than one in Salt Lake City. This would be highly relevant for both skaters and television viewers.
FlowMotion is currently developing the Ice Speed Indicator (ISI), which meets all requirements for measurement accuracy and ease of use.
