The national Dutch track races are being organized under auspices of the Skatebond Nederland (the Dutch skating association). The races are being held on the 400m track of the Jaap Eden complex. Different types of races are being held:

200 meter individual time trial
This distance is a specialisation for the pure sprinter. You determine the start yourself, after that you start to sprint as fast as you can to complete the distance with real skating strokes. Typically, the distance is completed within 30 seconds. This discipline is very spectacular to see: be there!

1.000m series, semifinals and finals
The 1.000 meter distance is a difficult and exhausting one, tactically speaking you have to stay behind your opponent en trust your curve technique and your sprint, but with this distance in particular your legs fail you and you quickly feel that you have given your best. Who can withstand his/her acidity the longest? After the series and the semifinals, who's going to win the finals of the Amsterdam Skate Festival?

15.000m drop-out race
Riding 15 kilometers on the Jaap Eden track is very tough, it's more than 35 rounds, but that's not all... It's a drop-out race, meaning that every round you have to make sure you are not the last one over he finish line or you're out! This discipline is one of the hardest in speedskating, every other round you have to sprint and make sure you're in a good position. So the speed is high and sooner or later you know it could be over for you. Speedskaters go over the finish line fully stretched, just to get their wheel to be the first over the line. All of this... a the Amsterdam Skate Festival!