Section 6: Scoring
6.1 Individual Distances
Rankings are determined solely by finishing time. Times are recorded electronically to 1/1000th of a second but displayed and ranked to 1/100th of a second. If two skaters finish with identical times to 1/100th, they share the rank. There are no style or subjective scoring components.
6.2 Team Pursuit Scoring
The team's time is taken when the skate blade tip of the third (last) team member crosses the finish line. If one skater falls or is dropped, the remaining two must finish, and the time of the second skater is taken instead. Results determine an elimination bracket: quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal races (gold/silver race, bronze race).
6.3 Mass Start Scoring
- Final placement: The primary ranking criterion. First across the finish line wins regardless of sprint points.
- Sprint points: Awarded at intermediate sprints (laps 4, 8, 12): 5 points for 1st, 3 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd. Used to break ties in final placement. If two skaters finish in the same position (photo-finish tie), sprint point totals determine the higher rank.
- Lapped skaters: Skaters who are lapped are removed from the race and ranked behind all skaters who completed the full distance.
6.4 World Records and Olympic Records
Records are recognised only at ISU-sanctioned competitions on standard 400 m ovals. Altitude venues (above 1000 m) produce faster times due to reduced air density; the ISU recognises lowland and highland records separately for some statistical purposes, though official records do not distinguish by altitude.