Speed and Figure Skate Differences /h3>

Name: Cally
Status: student
Grade: 9-12
Location: N/A

Question: Why do speed skaters where different skates than figure skaters?
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Speed skaters skates have lower cut boots to give them added flexibility to 
lean down to break the wind resistance better. They also have long blades that 
are very thin. With less blade on the ice it cuts back the friction, allowing 
the skater to go faster, plus the length gives them added stability. Figure 
skates have high boots which are extremely thick to give added support to 
the ankle to avoid injury during turns, spins, and landings of jumps. They 
also have a wider blade with a bellow in the middle. This bellow provides two 
edges for the skater, the inside edge (inside of the foot) and outside 
edge(outside of the foot) which allow for sharp turns and various footwork. 
Almost everything you see a figure skater do is done on one of those edges, 
hardly ever do they glide straight on both. Figure skater blades are much 
shorter to make it easier for the blade to turn on the ice for footwork.

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