5.3 Overtaking and Passing
Why People Get This Wrong
People often assume that overtaking is only valid if a skater's body crosses the line first, leading them to argue about cases where it’s their blade tip that touches the finish line, thinking they didn’t pass legally when in fact they did according to the rule. The confusion arises because the official verdict emphasizes the decisive point of the blade tip over the entire body crossing the line.
Official Verdict
b) permits overtaking at all times, but until Skaters or Relay Teams are beside each other, responsibility for any obstruction or collision falls on the Skater or Relay Team doing the overtaking, provided the Skater or Relay Team being overtaken does not act improperly. c).

