Scotland’s Women Reach European Curling Semi-Finals
Fay Henderson’s Scotland secured a European Championship semi-final place by beating Estonia 9-8 in an extra end, with one Group B game left.
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Editor's picks
Four guides the desk would hand to anyone new to the ice. Chosen by the editors, never ranked by clicks.
Every section
Figure skating
Jumps, edges and scoring, and the news from the ISU season.
How Figure Skating Judges Resolve Video Reviews
- Figure Skating Personal Bests vs Medals
- What Happens When Figure Skating Scores Tie?
- What Do Figure Skaters Do on Practice Ice?
Hockey
Rules, positions and kit, and the results worth knowing about.
How Often Should You Sharpen Hockey Skates?
- Composite vs. Wood Hockey Sticks: Cost and Feel
- What Do Hockey Helmet Safety Certifications Mean?
- How to Choose and Replace a Hockey Mouthguard
Learn to skate
First sessions, stopping, balance and classes for every age.
When Does Arch Support Help or Hurt in Hockey Skates?
- Skate Guards vs. Soakers: What Belongs in Your Bag?
- Learn to Skate USA: Control Speed Safely on Ice
- Balance vs. Momentum: Why Beginners Wobble
Rinks & ice
How rink ice is made, kept and resurfaced, and why it feels fast or slow.
How Thick Should Rink Ice Be?
- Rockefeller Skating: How the Outdoor Ice Stays Smooth
- Twin Rinks: What the Name Means
- Ice Skating Balance: How to Stay Steady on One Foot
Gear
Skates, blades, helmets and sticks, plus ski and snowboard kit.
Heated Clothing Aims to Steady Winter-Sports Performance
- Hockey Stores Near Me: Choose the Right Shop
- Skate Guards vs. Soakers: What Protects Blades?
- Hockey Helmet Fit: Check Coverage and Stability
Competitions
Start lists, tiebreaks, appeals and curling, explained.
Moltzan Wins First World Cup Race in Sölden
- Choosing Seats at an Ice Hockey or Figure Skating Event
- How Competition Tiebreakers Work When Athletes Tie
- How Winter-Sports Jury Decisions Are Appealed
Find your hollow
A sharpened blade isn't flat. It's ground into a shallow groove that leaves two edges, and the radius of that groove decides how much you bite and how far you glide. Two answers give you a starting point to ask your sharpener for.
1/2 in radius of hollow
Radius 12.7 mm, groove depth 0.10 mm
Rental and recreational skates are usually ground at 1/2 in. A flatter hollow glides further but feels less sure on turns.
Start here
94 guides that don't date: how to stop, how to fall, what a hollow is, how a jump is judged and what icing means. We keep them up to date when the rules change, and every one names its sources.
