Editing Racing (section)

== Sprint finishes ==
A sprint finish is a racing tactic used in many forms of racing where a competitor accelerates towards top speed in the final stages of a race. This tactic is mostly associated with long-distance forms of [[running]] and [[cycling (sport)|cycling]], which often feature large groups of competitors racing at a slower pace for much of the race – this slower [[Aerobic exercise|aerobic]] racing allows for the subsequent [[Anaerobic exercise|anaerobic]] activity required for sprinting.<ref>Ronald J Maughan, & Michael Gleeson (20 May 2010). [https://books.google.com/books?id=xT6cAQAAQBAJ&dq=%22anaerobic%22+%22sprint+finish%22&pg=PA129 "Energy Supply" <span id="atom_broken_id_2" class="atom_response">404</span>] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227155347/https://books.google.com/books?id=xT6cAQAAQBAJ&lpg=PA129&ots=OOMScgHaWA&dq=%22anaerobic%22%20%22sprint%20finish%22&pg=PA129#v=onepage&q=%22anaerobic%22%20%22sprint%20finish%22&f=false |date=2023-02-27 }}. ''The Biochemical Basis of Sports Performance'' (pg. 129). Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|9780199208289}}</ref> The tactic relies upon keeping greater [[Energy balance (biology)|energy reserves]] than your opponent until the last part of the race in order to be able to reach the finish point first. It is the opposing tactic to keeping a steady optimal pace throughout a race to maximise your [[Energy efficiency (physics)|energy efficiency]] (see [[running economy]]).<ref>Stevenson, Roy. [http://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/exclusive/developing_a_fast_finish.html#.U1AWms73Gt8 Developing a fast finish for your road races <span id="atom_broken_id_1" class="atom_response">404</span>] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419030621/http://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/exclusive/developing_a_fast_finish.html#.U1AWms73Gt8 |date=2014-04-19 }}. Multi Briefs. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref>

In [[track and field]], distances from [[1500 metres]] upwards often feature sprint finishes. They can also be found in [[cross country running|cross country]] and [[road running]] events, even up to the [[marathon]] distance. A runner's ability to sprint at the end of a race is also known as their finishing [[Kick (running)|kick]].<ref>Fitzgerald, Matt (2013-11-18). [http://running.competitor.com/2013/11/training/kick-your-way-to-better-race-times_31618 Kick Your Way To Better Race Times] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419020221/http://running.competitor.com/2013/11/training/kick-your-way-to-better-race-times_31618 |date=2014-04-19 }}. Competitor. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref> [[Multisport race]]s, such as the [[triathlon]], often have [[running]] as the final section and sprint finish tactics are applied as they are in running-only events.<ref>Stevenson, Roy (2013-07-13). [http://www.triathlonmag.com.au/training/run/7136-developing-a-fast-finish Developing a fast finish <span id="atom_broken_id_3" class="atom_response">404</span>] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222193756/http://www.triathlonmag.com.au/training/run/7136-developing-a-fast-finish |date=2017-02-22 }}. ''Triathlon & Multisport Magazine''. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref>

In cycling, sprint finishes are an integral part of the sport and are used in both [[track cycling]] and [[road bicycle racing|road cycling]]. [[Sprint (cycling)|Cycling sprints]] are often highly tactical, particularly on the track, with cyclists occasionally coming to a near halt at points before reaching a high speed finish.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/get_involved/4261874.stm The individual sprint] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116102015/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/get_involved/4261874.stm |date=2006-11-16 }} . [[BBC Sport|BBC Sport <span id="atom_broken_id_4" class="atom_response">404</span>]]. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref> The longer track races such as [[scratch race]]s often feature sprint finishes, as maintaining a steady pace within the [[peloton]] allows opponents to conserve energy through [[drafting (aerodynamics)|drafting]].<ref>[http://www.cyclingcalendar.com/scratch-race.html Scratch Race] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418234705/http://www.cyclingcalendar.com/scratch-race.html |date=2014-04-18 }}. Cycling Calendar. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref>{{clarify|date=December 2016}} [[Road races]] are similar in this respect, in both short [[criterium]] races and long-distance races. Sprint tactics also form a major part of [[points classification]]s in road events, where [[cycling sprinter]]s specialise in reaching an intermediate point first, thus gaining extra points and resulting prizes.<ref>Gitz, Jarred (2014-04-05). [http://www.jarredscycling.com/2014/04/the-points-classification.html The Points Classification] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419013054/http://www.jarredscycling.com/2014/04/the-points-classification.html |date=2014-04-19 }} . Jareds Cycling. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref><ref name="BR">Smith, Mark (2008-05-01). [http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/technique-sprint-finishing-1044/ Technique: Sprint finishing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419012742/http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/technique-sprint-finishing-1044/ |date=2014-04-19 }}. Bike Radar. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref>

Sprint finish tactics are also used in [[speedskating]], [[cross-country skiing (sport)|cross-country skiing]], [[long-distance swimming]],<ref>[http://mastersswimmingqld.org.au/Coaching/Open-Water-Swimming Open Water Swimming] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419013132/http://mastersswimmingqld.org.au/Coaching/Open-Water-Swimming |date=2014-04-19 }}. Masters Swimming. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref> [[horse racing]] and other [[animal racing]] sports.<ref>[http://www.onefasthorse.com/minella-best-in-sprint-finish/108643/ Minella best in sprint finish <span id="atom_broken_id_0" class="atom_response">503</span>] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419020557/http://www.onefasthorse.com/minella-best-in-sprint-finish/108643/ |date=2014-04-19 }}. British Horse Racing Authority. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref><ref>James, Dave (2014-02-24). [http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/olympics/2014/02/24/401360/p2/Matt-breaks.htm Matt breaks record as doping hits Sochi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419015226/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/olympics/2014/02/24/401360/p2/Matt-breaks.htm |date=2014-04-19 }}. China Post/Agence France Presse. Retrieved on 2014-04-17.</ref> The finishes of races which are outright sprinting events in themselves, such as the [[100 metres]] track race, are not normally referred to as sprint finishes, as all competitors are already sprinting by default (thus it is not a racing tactic).