US Speedskating sanctioned ability meet held on an Olympic size rink

Saturday & Sunday - October 24-25, 2026

2026 Entry

We utilize a random Competition Draw for our registration process.

August 1 - August 8: Interested skaters signed up for the Competition Draw using the button below. There was no cost to enter the Draw.

August 20: The Competition Draw was held, and drawn skaters received a registration offer.

The number of competitors accepted in each division was weighted based on the number of skaters entered in the draw for each division.

If one member of an immediate family (siblings and/or parents only) was drawn, all skaters in the drawing from the household were accepted.

All remaining interested skaters not drawn were placed on a waitlist.

Note: Last year we accepted 100% of interested skaters, including waitlisted skaters.

August 27: Invited skaters must have registered by this date.

Registration Cost:

Individual - $100.00 USD

Family (3 or more skaters in the same household) - $250 USD

Schedule: TBD

Dates:

Racing: Saturday & Sunday - October 24 - 25

Practice Ice: Friday evening - October 23

Format

Heartland

The format is All-Finals, No-Elimination. The number of rounds will be determined by the number of skaters registered in respective divisions.

Ability

The format is a two-round progression, one heat, and a final for all skaters. The number of finals is based on the number of skaters in the heats. Progression to finals will be determined by the number of skaters in each group and then by position and next fastest.

Example 1: 12 skaters in a group, so 3 heats of 4 skaters. 5 skaters will qualify for the A final. The 1st place skater in each heat plus the next 2 fastest 2nd place skaters. 5 skaters will qualify for the B final. The remaining 2nd place skater, the three 3rd place skaters, and the fastest 4th place skater. The last 2 finishers will make up the C final.

Example 2: 8 skaters in a group, so 2 heats of 4 skaters. 5 skaters will qualify for the A final, the 1st and 2nd from each heat plus the fastest 3rd place skater. The remaining 3 skaters will go to the B final.

The Super Events are based on overall points. All athletes will skate in a Super, (A, B, C...) for their longest distance. We are using the USS and ISU new points system, so every finalist will receive points for ranking.

Example of 12 skaters in a group

Heat 1
1    48.99    QA
2    49.09    QA
3    50.21    QB
4    51.47    QB
Heat 2
1    50.21    QA
2    51.24    QB
3    51.54    QB
4    51.88    QC
Heat 3
1    47.25    QA
2    49.25    QA
3    49.58    QB
4    54.25    QC

Divisions

This is an Ability Meet. Skaters will be grouped according to their seed time, with consideration being given to the age of skaters in each group. With the exception of Heartland, divisions may be mixed-gender. Per USS guidelines, all skaters will race on an appropriate-size track.

Heartland - skaters ages 12 and older as of 7/1/26 who meet the qualifying time standard of 1:48.0 for men and 1:58.0 for women in the 1000 meters. The time standard must be from a sanctioned short track meet from July 1, 2025, or later. There will be two groups, Heartland A and Heartland B. The two groups will be split by times.

The ISU "Zero False Starts" rule will apply to all Heartland A and B races.

Ability—Skaters 11 and younger will compete in the Ability Division. Skaters 12 and older who do not meet the Heartland qualifying time standard will also compete in the Ability Division. Consideration will be given to skaters' age and whether this is their first year racing in a USS or SSC sanctioned meet.

Information

Meet Director - Henry Withers

Assistant Meet Director - Alan Jay

BSC President - Doug Lippa

For additional information, contact:

Henry Withers - Henry@buffalospeedskating.org

Phone - 315-440-6764

Photo Credits:

Header photo -Alan Jay (Buffalo Speedskating Club)

Heartland photo - Yuan Li (Garden State Speedskating)

Past Year's Meets photo - Alan Jay (Buffalo Speedskating Club)

Heartland Racing Series

We are proud to be part of the Heartland Racing Series.

A season-long circuit of short track speed skating open class races to develop passion and skills for racing. Click here for additional information on the series.

Short Sleeve T-shirt

Cost - $25.00

Color - Purple w/Silver

Size Chart

Note: YXL is not available

Order

Please note: Registering skaters can order shirts directly from the registration form.

Partner Hotels

Hampton Inn Buffalo - Amherst

1601 Amherst Manor Dr., Amherst, NY 14221

716-559-7010

Booking Website

$224 plus tax per night including breakfast.

The last day to book is Friday, October 9, or until sold out.

To receive this group rate, bookings must be completed using only the link above.

The hotel is adjacent to the rink, about a three-minute walk or a 30-second drive.

We are working to secure more rooms at other hotels in the area. Please check back for updates.

Required Equipment

All participants must wear a helmet, full finger gloves (preferably cut-proof), eye protection, long sleeves, knee pads, neck protection, and shin guards. The knee pads, neck protection, and shin guards may be incorporated into a suit.

Recommended Equipment: Full-body cut-resistant protection (either integrated into the skin suit or separate).