Adelskalender
Encyclopedia
The Adelskalender in skating is a ranking for long track speed skating
based on skaters' all-time personal records for certain distances. As in samalog
competitions, the skater's time (measured in seconds) for each distance is divided in 500 metre averages, truncated (not rounded) to 3 decimal places, and the results are then added up – the lower the sum, the better. The samalog system was introduced in 1928 in Norway
, replacing ranking points in the traditional 4 distance championships, but can of course also be used to reconstruct scores based on personal records that were set before the samalog system was invented.
The classical Adelskalender consists of the Allround Championships
distances:
Similar rankings in many other combinations are maintained by enthusiasts and available on the Internet.
are calculated as follows:
Speed skating records have improved dramatically over the years due to a combination of larger participation, introduction of professionalism, improvements in training and selection, and, especially, technical developments, distorting the comparative accomplishments of skaters over time. For comparison, the ranking leader on January 1, 1900 (Jaap Eden
) had a score of 202.226, "averaging" 35.6 km/h. In 1925 Oscar Mathisen
led with 192.860 (37.3 km/h), in 1950 Åke Seyffarth
led with 188.678 (38.2 km/h), in 1975 Ard Schenk
led with 166.241 (43.3 km/h), and in 2000 Rintje Ritsma
led with 150.720 (47.8 km/h).
Among major technical developments were the introduction of artificial (refrigerated) 400 m ovals, the first opening in Gothenburg
in 1958, aerodynamics suits in 1976 (by Franz Krienbühl
), indoor, climate-controlled ovals in 1986, and the clap skate
in 1996. Also, over time, more high altitude skating rinks have been built; the lower air pressure at higher altitude greatly benefits the skater's speed -the rule of thumb is 0.1 points at each distance for every 100 m of increased altitude- and world records generally are set at high altitude.
Even the ranking points of concurrent skaters can be strongly effected by the opportunity skaters have to train and compete on fast rinks. For example, before the 1960s, skaters were dependent on long periods of frost, less common at more southerly latitudes. The effect of access to high altitude rinks was especially notable from 1973 to 1986, when most world records were set at Medeo
in Kazakhstan
, a rink at 1,691 m that also enjoyed an unusual all-around tailwind, but was rarely accessible to non-Soviet skaters. In 1977-8, the Adelskalender top 10 consisted almost entirely of times set at Medeo, while several skaters in the top 10 never reached the podium at international meets. Currently, the two fastest speed skating rinks are the high altitude covered ovals at Calgary
and Salt Lake City
, both in North America. With the exception of some long-distance records, all (senior and junior, distance and samalog) world records since about 2000 and all current world records, have been set at one of these two venues.
.
} || 
Netherlands || 36.17 || 1:43.54 || 6:03.32 || 12:41.69 || 145.099
|-
|| 3 || ||
United States || 35.52 || 1:42.14 || 6:09.68 || 12:55.11 || 145.289
|-
|| 4 || ||
Norway || 35.86 || 1:42.67 || 6:09.94 || 12:53.89 || 145.771
|-
|| 5 || ||
Russia || 35.90 || 1:42.94 || 6:10.58 || 12:58.36 || 146.189
|-
|| 6 || || Netherlands || 35.59 || 1:43.78 || 6:14.18 || 13:00.04 || 146.603
|-
|| 7 || ||
Italy || 35.99 || 1:43.48 || 6:06.06 || 13:10.60 || 146.619
|-
|| 8 || || Netherlands || 35.64 || 1:43.92 || 6:12.20 || 13:08.97 || 146.948
|-
|| 9 || || United States || 35.72 || 1:42.31 || 6:16.55 || 13:21.06|| 147.531
|-
|| 10 || || Netherlands || 36.27 || 1:44.57 || 6:14.66 || 12:58.92 || 147.538
|}
.
Long track speed skating
Speed skating is an Olympic sport where competitors are timed while crossing a set distance. It is also a sport for leisure. Sports such as short track speedskating, inline speedskating, and quad speed skating are also called speed skating...
based on skaters' all-time personal records for certain distances. As in samalog
Samalog
Samalog is a scoring system in speed skating. It is used in allround tournaments to convert results at various distances into points in order to determine an overall champion...
competitions, the skater's time (measured in seconds) for each distance is divided in 500 metre averages, truncated (not rounded) to 3 decimal places, and the results are then added up – the lower the sum, the better. The samalog system was introduced in 1928 in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, replacing ranking points in the traditional 4 distance championships, but can of course also be used to reconstruct scores based on personal records that were set before the samalog system was invented.
The classical Adelskalender consists of the Allround Championships
World Allround Speed Skating Championships
The World Allround Speed Skating Championships are a series of speed skating events held annually to determine the best allround speed skater of the world...
distances:
- Men: 500 m - 1500 m - 5000 m - 10000 m
- Women: 500 m - 1500 m - 3000 m - 5000 m
Similar rankings in many other combinations are maintained by enthusiasts and available on the Internet.
Calculation
As an example, the points for the current leader in the Adelskalendern ranking Shani DavisShani Davis
Shani Davis is an Olympic Champion speed skater from the United States.At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Davis became the first Black athlete to win a gold medal in an individual sport at the Olympic Winter Games . He also won the silver in the 1,500 m...
are calculated as follows:
| Distance | Time | Seconds | Divided by | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500m | 34.78 | 34.78 | 1 | 34.78 |
| 1500m | 1:41.04 | 101.04 | 3 | 33.68 |
| 5000m | 6:10.49 | 370.49 | 10 | 37.049 |
| 10000m | 13:05.94 | 785.94 | 20 | 39.297 |
| Total | 144.806 | |||
Caveats
The Adelskalender score is calculated over a skater's entire career and not for a single tournament. Theoretically, this would make it possible for a skater to lead the Adelskalender without ever having set a 4 distance championships samalog record, or even having won - or participated in - such a tournament.Speed skating records have improved dramatically over the years due to a combination of larger participation, introduction of professionalism, improvements in training and selection, and, especially, technical developments, distorting the comparative accomplishments of skaters over time. For comparison, the ranking leader on January 1, 1900 (Jaap Eden
Jaap Eden
Jacobus Johannes "Jaap" Eden was a Dutch athlete. He is the only male athlete to has won world championships in both speed skating and bicycle racing .- Early life :Jaap Eden was born in Groningen to Johannes Eden and Maria Baale...
) had a score of 202.226, "averaging" 35.6 km/h. In 1925 Oscar Mathisen
Oscar Mathisen
Oscar Wilhelm Mathisen was a Norwegian speed skater and celebrity, almost rivalling Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen as symbols for a young nation...
led with 192.860 (37.3 km/h), in 1950 Åke Seyffarth
Ake Seyffarth
Åke Seyffarth was a Swedish speed skater who specialised in long distance events. He was born in Stockholm....
led with 188.678 (38.2 km/h), in 1975 Ard Schenk
Ard Schenk
Adrianus "Ard" Schenk is a former speed skater from the Netherlands, who is considered to be one of the best in history. His first Olympic success came in 1968, when he won a silver medal at the 1968 Winter Olympics. Between 1970 and 1972 Winter Olympics, Schenk won three consecutive World...
led with 166.241 (43.3 km/h), and in 2000 Rintje Ritsma
Rintje Ritsma
Robert Rintje Ritsma is a former Dutch long track speed skater. His nickname is the Beer van Lemmer, which translates to the Bear from Lemmer.-Speed skating career:He has won the World Allround Championships 4 times...
led with 150.720 (47.8 km/h).
Among major technical developments were the introduction of artificial (refrigerated) 400 m ovals, the first opening in Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
in 1958, aerodynamics suits in 1976 (by Franz Krienbühl
Franz Krienbühl
Franz Krienbühl was a Swiss speed skater who is mostly known for his inventions that changed the sport.Starting his international sporting career only in his late thirties at the 1968 Winter Olympics of Grenoble, Krienbühl mostly skated at the back of the field. However, in 1974, he introduced the...
), indoor, climate-controlled ovals in 1986, and the clap skate
Clap skate
The clap skate is a type of ice skate used in speed skating. Unlike in traditional skates where the blade is rigidly fixed to the boot, clap skates have the blade attached to the boot by a hinge at the front...
in 1996. Also, over time, more high altitude skating rinks have been built; the lower air pressure at higher altitude greatly benefits the skater's speed -the rule of thumb is 0.1 points at each distance for every 100 m of increased altitude- and world records generally are set at high altitude.
Even the ranking points of concurrent skaters can be strongly effected by the opportunity skaters have to train and compete on fast rinks. For example, before the 1960s, skaters were dependent on long periods of frost, less common at more southerly latitudes. The effect of access to high altitude rinks was especially notable from 1973 to 1986, when most world records were set at Medeo
Medeo
The Medeu , or Medeo , is an outdoor speed skating and bandy rink. It is located in a mountain valley on the south-eastern outskirts of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Medeu sits 1,691 metres above sea level, making it the highest skating rink in the world...
in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
, a rink at 1,691 m that also enjoyed an unusual all-around tailwind, but was rarely accessible to non-Soviet skaters. In 1977-8, the Adelskalender top 10 consisted almost entirely of times set at Medeo, while several skaters in the top 10 never reached the podium at international meets. Currently, the two fastest speed skating rinks are the high altitude covered ovals at Calgary
Olympic Oval
The Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a covered speed skating oval built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. It is the official designated training center for Speed Skate Canada and the Canadian National Speed Skating team. It is located on the University of Calgary campus...
and Salt Lake City
Utah Olympic Oval
The Utah Olympic Oval, an indoor speed skating oval built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, is located southwest of Salt Lake City, in Kearns, Utah. The Oval hosted the long track speed skating events for the 2002 games. Inside the facility the 400-meter skating track surrounds two international sized...
, both in North America. With the exception of some long-distance records, all (senior and junior, distance and samalog) world records since about 2000 and all current world records, have been set at one of these two venues.
Men
This table is correct as of 2011-02-18. Times in bold are the current world records at that distance. For comparison: the world record big combination (similar to the men's Adelskalender samalog, only for times in one weekend) is 145.742, by Shani DavisShani Davis
Shani Davis is an Olympic Champion speed skater from the United States.At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Davis became the first Black athlete to win a gold medal in an individual sport at the Olympic Winter Games . He also won the silver in the 1,500 m...
.
| Pos | Name | Country | 500 m | 1500 m | 5000 m | 10000 m | Samalog Samalog Samalog is a scoring system in speed skating. It is used in allround tournaments to convert results at various distances into points in order to determine an overall champion... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States |
34.78 | 1:41.04 | 6:10.49 | 13:05.94 | 144.806 | |
| 2 |
Netherlands || 36.17 || 1:43.54 || 6:03.32 || 12:41.69 || 145.099|-
|| 3 || ||
United States || 35.52 || 1:42.14 || 6:09.68 || 12:55.11 || 145.289|-
|| 4 || ||
Norway || 35.86 || 1:42.67 || 6:09.94 || 12:53.89 || 145.771|-
|| 5 || ||
Russia || 35.90 || 1:42.94 || 6:10.58 || 12:58.36 || 146.189|-
|| 6 || ||
Netherlands || 35.59 || 1:43.78 || 6:14.18 || 13:00.04 || 146.603|-
|| 7 || ||
Italy || 35.99 || 1:43.48 || 6:06.06 || 13:10.60 || 146.619|-
|| 8 || ||
Netherlands || 35.64 || 1:43.92 || 6:12.20 || 13:08.97 || 146.948|-
|| 9 || ||
United States || 35.72 || 1:42.31 || 6:16.55 || 13:21.06|| 147.531|-
|| 10 || ||
Netherlands || 36.27 || 1:44.57 || 6:14.66 || 12:58.92 || 147.538|}
Women
This table is correct as of 2011-02-18. Times in bold are the current world records at that distance. For comparison: the world record small combination (similar to the women's Adelskalender samalog, only for times in one weekend) is 154.580, by Cindy KlassenCindy Klassen
Cindy Klassen, OM is a Canadian long track speed skater. Klassen is a six-time medalist at the Winter Olympics. She is tied with Clara Hughes for Canada's all-time most decorated Olympian with 6 medals each...
.
| Pos | Name | Country | 500 m | 1500 m | 3000 m | 5000 m | Samalog Samalog Samalog is a scoring system in speed skating. It is used in allround tournaments to convert results at various distances into points in order to determine an overall champion... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Canada |
37.51 | 1:51.79 | 3:53.34 | 6:48.97 | 154.550 | |
| 2 |  Germany |
37.77 | 1:53.09 | 3:58.52 | 6:58.39 | 157.059 | |
| 3 | Netherlands |
38.44 | 1:52.38 | 3:58.01 | 6:55.85 | 157.153 | |
| 4 |  Czech Republic |
39.49 | 1:54.55 | 3:55.55 | 6:42.66 | 157.197 | |
| 5 | Germany |
38.99 | 1:54.31 | 3:57.35 | 6:46.91 | 157.342 | |
| 6 | Canada |
38.75 | 1:53.18 | 3:58.11 | 6:54.55 | 157.616 | |
| 7 | Canada |
37.72 | 1:52.75 | 4:03.44 | 7:07.15 | 158.591 | |
| 8 | Germany |
39.38 | 1:53.80 | 3:58.07 | 6:56.15 | 158.606 | |
| 9 | Netherlands |
39.48 | 1:55.29 | 3:55.98 | 7:01.21 | 159.361 | |
| 10 |  Japan |
39.18 | 1:54.28 | 4:01.01 | 7:00.09 | 159.450 |