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| | Skates are boots with fastened metal edges. Skates are used for moving on ice surfaces. Boots are made of leather or plastic and the edge from metal.
Various types of skates are available:
Skates for figure skating (so called “Figure skates”): Figure skates are used during figure skating. Distinguishing speciality of these skates-- special teeth on the edge, which help the figure skaters while accomplishing difficult performances.
Hockey skates-- skates for playing ice hockey or Russian hockey. Hockey skates are divided into skates with detachable edge and molded edge. Detachable edge is meant for its replacement or for required adjustment. Skates are also divided with respect to degree of protection and maneuverability and according to usage for defenders, forwards or goalkeepers.
Walking skates --shape of edges is as in the case of hockey skates, but not equipped with corresponding protection for cape and sides of boots. Used for amateur games or for strolls.
Skating skates («blades») -- skates for skating.
Sharpening of skates:
Edges of figure skates are sharpened with a radius ranging from 11 to 15mm «for groove » (Recess, which runs from one edge of the bearer to the other end, is called groove). It creates two clear ribs -- internal and outer. Without this, edge of the skates always falls to one side and figure skaters cannot properly push or cannot be confident of the balance. Therefore, sharpening of skates includes not only sharpening the sides of edges but also restore the channel, which gets leveled during training sessions.
Who does not like to move along the smooth ice in a snow-covered park! Skates have a long history. In 1941, some peculiar item made of bone with through hole for lace was demonstrated in London's archeological society. It was an ancient skate, which was used in 12th century by resident of London. Early skates were made of bones and tree and used to skate with the help of sticks with sharp stone tips. During the reign of Peter I, wooden skates were made and the skates were manufactured in the shape of a small boat with high toe in the form of horse head. Skating sport is of two types: speed skating and figure skating.
Speed skating competition was held for the first time in 1676 in Netherlands. But as a sort of sport, it gained popularity only in 19th century; In the beginning of 1880, racing skates were designed. First world championship was held in Amsterdam in the year 1889. Already in those days, classical distances such as 500, 1500, 5000 and 10000 m were included in the program of competition. In 1924, racing on skates was included in the Olympics and from 1936 onwards, world championships are being held even in category “women”. Competitions for racing on skates were earlier held and even held nowadays in a closed circuit, consisting of two straight and two turns. Classical length of such circuit is 400 m. Participants of competition race in pairs. Earlier, competitions were held on open skating rinks but from 1980 onwards, skaters moved onto artificial ice under the roof, where very high results were registered.
While selecting the skates, the following criterion is to be taken into consideration:
* Comfort ( if skater is comfortable in the skates - its your choice);
* Skating qualities (important things are speed and maneuverability);
* Quality of the parts (life of the rollers depend directly on the quality of parts).
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Many people use ice skates this season, but not many know that ice skates were invented about 5000 years ago. The first ice skates were invented by Finns and were made from the leg bones of horse or deer and were attached to feet with leather belts. Skates were used for hunting and for saving energy while moving on ice.
Skates of those times saved about 10% of energy compared to normal walking on icy surface. You may think it's not much, but in the very cold winters of 5000 years ago this could mean the difference between staying alive or freezing to death.
