The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetics of the free leg joints during curving for male elite long distance speed skaters. Sixteen male elite skaters who participated in official 5000 m races were recorded with two synchronized high-speed video cameras (250 fields/s) positioned at the mid portion of the curve lane and analyzed by using a panning DLT technique. Three-dimensional coordinates of the segment endpoints and blades which were obtained at the first and second halves of the races were used to calculate kinetic valuables of the right and left free legs by inverse dynamics approach. In the first and second halves of the races, the hip joint of the free right and left legs exerted great flexion torque and power during the first half of the stroke. The peak value of the hip flexion torque and power for the free right and left legs in the second half of the races appeared later than those of the first half. These results indicate that a quick recovering of the free right and left legs during curving greatly depends on the hip flexion torque in the first half of the stroke. Less delayed exertion of the hip flexion torque of the free right and left legs under fatigued condition may be helpful for maintaining the velocity in long distance speed skating.