Lap counting and being lapped
ISU · 2026The lap board shows how many laps remain for the leader and changes when that skater passes. A bell signals the final lap. In relays, officials also signal the approaching final exchange restriction. Skaters must follow the official distance rather than assuming another competitor has counted correctly.
The rule
The lap board shows how many laps remain for the leader and changes when that skater passes. A bell signals the final lap. In relays, officials also signal the approaching final exchange restriction. Skaters must follow the official distance rather than assuming another competitor has counted correctly.
In practice
A skater or relay team about to be lapped must move to the outside and avoid interfering with the overtaking competitors. Interference in this situation can bring a yellow or red card. Except in finals, the referee can declare remaining skaters finished when ending the race, without assigning a finishing time to them.
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