Experience and seasoning has been the theme thus far in the National SpeedSkating Circuit’s endurance events in the initial season, Tribulation. In the 1000m and 1600m distances, four of the best indoor skaters of the last five years have an average age of 27, but you wouldn’t know it from watching the events. Positioning and tactics have led to success by the veterans.

Jeremy Anderson (33), Michael Cheek (29), Joey Mantia (24), and Justin Stelly (22) currently hold four of the top five positions in the chase to see who will be crowned the 2010 Endurance Champion. During the 1600m race at the March 4th Tribulation 2 event, the veterans held the top four spots with 50m to go before an unfortunate crash took out Anderson and Cheek.

The youth movement is led by Jake Powers (18), who has qualified for both Grand Champion races with his stellar performance in the 1000m distance. He currently sits in second place in the overall standings and thus far has stood as the only young threat to the savvy tactics of the veterans. Jordan Hafenscher (17) and Peter Archer (20) currently sit in sixth and eighth place overall respectively and are both in their first season of professional racing.

Tribulation 3 is set to for a 6pm western (9pm eastern) start on Thursday, May 20th, where the world will witness either the dominance of experience or the coming of age for the young athletes. With over two months of preparation and adjustments the rookies are ready to show the veterans the test of time. The third stage of NSC Tribulation is set to be a great one with more on the line as these athletes fight to earn points towards the most prestigious award in indoor speedskating: The Grand Champion of the National SpeedSkating Circuit.

Tickets may be purchased here and if you cannot make the event be sure to check out the live broadcast of the event here on the live feed, which will be available one hour prior to the start of the event.