Overtaking and pacing
ISU · 2026When skaters in the same lane catch one another, both must help avoid a collision. The skater in front must hold a consistent relative line; if moving outward to allow a pass, that position must be maintained until the pass is complete. The overtaking skater is responsible for avoiding contact while that line is maintained.
The rule
When skaters in the same lane catch one another, both must help avoid a collision. The skater in front must hold a consistent relative line; if moving outward to allow a pass, that position must be maintained until the pass is complete. The overtaking skater is responsible for avoiding contact while that line is maintained.
In practice
After being passed, the overtaken skater must keep the prescribed gap and must not pace the leader. Accompanying or leading another competitor as a pacemaker is prohibited in individual races. Teammates have an exception during team events, but a teammate who has been lapped cannot simply continue providing pacing assistance.
Sources & approach ↗