Speed skating fans can live stream Friday night's U.S. Olympic long track trials for free online.

The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics is only weeks away, and competition is fierce as athletes try and win a place on the U.S. men and women's teams. Unfortunately for the country's top skaters, no one was allowed to prequalify for the events based on World Cup results, according to the Associated Press.

Instead, every spot on Team USA will be open when skaters arrive for trials at the Olympic Oval outside Salt Lake City in late December and early January.

First up on the trials schedule are the long track trials, which will kick off on Dec. 27 with the Men's 5000m and the Women's 3000m. Next comes the Men's and Women's 500m on Dec. 28, the Men's and Woman's 1000m on Dec. 29, the Men's and Woman's 1500m on Dec. 31, and the Men's 10000m and Women's 5000m on Jan. 1.

The short track trials will commence on Jan. 2 with the Men and Woman's 9-lap and 4-lap time trials. Following these will be the Men's and Women's 1500m on Jan. 3, the Men's and Woman's 500m on Jan. 4, and the Men's and Women's 1000m on Jan. 5.

Catch the Dec. 27 coverage for free by clicking here.

Tags: sports