False starts
ISU · 2026A false start includes leaving the starting position after “Ready” but before the shot, or deliberately being slow to take the starting position. If a skater breaks away and causes the opponent to follow, only the initiating skater receives that false start. The starter normally recalls the competitors.
The rule
A false start includes leaving the starting position after “Ready” but before the shot, or deliberately being slow to take the starting position. If a skater breaks away and causes the opponent to follow, only the initiating skater receives that false start. The starter normally recalls the competitors.
In practice
The first false start brings a warning to the responsible skater or skaters. At the new start, whoever commits the next false start in that pair or heat is disqualified, even if the earlier warning belonged to the opponent. Mass start has its own procedure and does not use this paired-race warning system.
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