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CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — The Utah Olympic Oval is known as the 'Fastest Ice on Earth' but in 1956 that title was held by Lake Misurina in the Italian Alps.
The last natural ice Olympic speedskating venue
The site of the 1956 Cortina Winter Olympic Games’ speed skating venue, Lake Misurina sits at 5,754 feet above sea level and is surrounded by high mountain peaks. The alpine lake is protected from wind, creating perfect conditions for fast ice. In a test race the week before the Olympics, Soviet skater Yevgeny Grishin broke the 500m world record. He skated just as fast during the games and went on to break the record in the 1,500m race as well.
An island of ice
To avoid cracks in the alpine lake during the competition, a six-and-a-half-foot lane was cut out of the lake around the entire oval, creating what was literally a floating island of ice on the lake. The 1956 Games were the last time natural ice was used for Olympic speedskating competition. Lake Misurina is now a popular mountain vacation destination in Northern Italy and a place where the locals are proud of their Olympic history.
Modern speed skating and artificial ice
The transition to artificial ice began with the 1960 Winter Olympics, marking a new era for speed skating. Advances in ice-making technology and skating suits have since led to continuous improvements in performance and record-breaking times. Artificial ice provides a consistent and reliable surface, essential for the high-speed demands of modern speed skating.
Utah Olympic Oval: The fastest Ice on Earth
Today, Utah’s Olympic Oval in Kearns holds more Olympic records than any other ice arena. Its elevation of 4,675 feet above sea level reduces air resistance and minimizes the amount of oxygen frozen into the ice, creating optimal conditions for speed. Ice technicians from Utah are now sought after by Winter Olympics host cities worldwide, sharing their expertise in crafting the perfect ice.
Countdown to Milano Cortina 2026
KSL is spending the week in Italy getting an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the venues for the Games the final countdown to the Opening Ceremony. Follow Alex Cabrero as he brings you a sneak peek on KSL TV, KSLTV.com and on Facebook and Instagram. [fb_embed_post href="https://www.facebook.com/AlexCabreroKSL/posts/pfbid0uzgXm7oujsJLFxdNuioYoBaKDM9fPQiiHM98iusjxPbNU6v3cKGvxzeGXuYe8kZgl/" width="550"/]
