Definition

Noun: A type of ice skate characterized by a long, thin blade designed for speed and used specifically for the sport of ice skating racing.

Usage

A "racing skate" is a piece of sports equipment. It refers to the boot and blade assembly worn by athletes in speed skating competitions. The key distinguishing feature is its long, straight blade, which is much longer than the blade on a typical hockey or figure skate. This design maximizes glide and efficiency on ice.

Examples

• The athlete laced up her racing skates before stepping onto the oval track.
• The long blade of a racing skate provides greater stability at high speeds.
• He needed to sharpen the blades of his racing skates before the championship.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in the plural form ("racing skates") as they are worn as a pair.
• In competitive contexts, you might hear phrases like "clap skates," which are a modern, hinged type of racing skate that allows for a more powerful stride.

Variants and Related Words

• Speed skate: A direct synonym for "racing skate."
• Clap skate: A specific, advanced type of racing skate where the blade detaches from the heel of the boot.
• Long track skate: A racing skate used for long-track speed skating events.
• Short track skate: A racing skate with a slightly different blade design, used for short-track speed skating.

Synonyms

• Speed skate
• Speed skating boot

Antonyms

• Figure skate (a skate with a shorter blade and toe picks, used for artistic performance)
• Hockey skate (a skate with a short, curved blade, designed for quick maneuvers)

Related Phrases

• To put on one's racing skates: To prepare for a race or speed skating session.
  • It was time to put on his racing skates and warm up.
• Racing skate blades: Specifies the metal runners attached to the boot.
  • The quality of the racing skate blades is crucial for performance.

Noun

1. an ice skate with a long blade; worn for racing