We’re a week into the Olympics and if you’re confused by all the terminology in the different sports, maybe this can help. It’s four terms you might hear during the Olympics and what they mean . . .
1. Clap skate. You’ll hear this one during some speed skating events. A regular ice skate has the boot permanently attached to the blade. But with a clap skate, the front of the boot is hinged, so the back can rise off the blade. (Here’s a photo.)
It’s helpful because the skate remains in contact with the ice longer and it helps distribute the power from the skater’s legs better.
2. Salchow. (Pronounced sal-cow.) It’s a jump in figure skating. It starts with a takeoff from the back inside edge of one foot and finishes, after spinning in the air, with a landing on the back outside edge on the opposite foot.
3. Double cork. This is a snowboarding term for a spin that’s both left to right or right to left, and also up and down. And a double means you do the up and down twice.
4. Double hackweight takeout. It’s used in curling when you take out two of your opponent’s stones with a single shot.
(LA Times)
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