The heat box and equipment check
ISU · 2026Skaters report to the designated heat box when called and wait there before racing. Officials check race numbers and equipment before allowing entry to the ice. Missing the call or arriving with defective equipment can mean being recorded as not starting, rather than receiving extra preparation time.
The rule
Skaters report to the designated heat box when called and wait there before racing. Officials check race numbers and equipment before allowing entry to the ice. Missing the call or arriving with defective equipment can mean being recorded as not starting, rather than receiving extra preparation time.
In practice
The heat box is also the required route onto the ice. A broken blade must not be ignored merely because the race is important. If equipment cannot be repaired in time after a stopped race, the skater cannot restart and is recorded as not finishing. Arrive prepared and follow the officials’ instructions.
Sources & approach ↗