The 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are a major sporting event for the Netherlands. In speed skating, performance is discussed in terms of technique and physical condition, but also in terms of the conditions in the arena or on an outdoor rink.
Several factors can influence those conditions, including ice hardness and friction, air pressure, arena ventilation, turbulence and the presence of other skaters. Many of these effects are difficult to assess separately. It would therefore be valuable to capture their combined influence objectively with a single measurement system—similar in principle to the Stimpmeter used in golf to quantify the speed of a putting green.
Such a system would make it possible to compare different ice rinks and the conditions under which skating times are achieved. A performance in Thialf could then be assessed differently from a similar time recorded in Salt Lake City. This could provide useful information for both skaters and television viewers.
FlowMotion is developing the Ice Speed Indicator (ISI), with particular attention to measurement accuracy and practical ease of use.
