Speed skates are designed for racing. A
speed skate has a long blade attached to
a low-cut boot.
A hockey skate has a shorter blade that is
curved at the ends. This design allows
hockey players to make quick turns at
high speed. A hockey boot is hardened
to protect the player’s foot. A stiff toe
box in the front provides extra protection
for the toes.
Figure Skating
Figure skating has been an Olympic
event since 1908. That was before there
were separate summer and winter Olympic
Games. Figure skating has become
one of the most popular sports in the
Winter Games.
Figure skaters perform routines that
involve jumps, spins, and dance moves.
They perform the routines to music.
Judges decide the winner in contests of
figure skating. The skaters are judged on
how well they do their routines. They
are also judged on how artistic they are.
Hockey players, figure skaters, and speed
skaters wear different types of skates.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Ice Skating 109
Until the 1990s figure skaters were also
judged on figures, or patterns, that they
had to make with their skates on the ice.
This was how figure skating got its
name.
Figure skaters compete as individuals or
in male and female pairs. Ice dancing is
another event that features a man and a
woman skating together. It became a
separate Olympic event in 1976. Ice
dancing is similar to ballroom dancing.
Speed Skating
Speed skating and short-track speed
skating are racing events. Speed skating
has been an Olympic sport since 1924.
Short-track races were first held at the
1992 Olympics. Speed skaters race two
at a time around a track, but they do not
race each other. Instead, after all the
competitors have skated, the skater with
fastest time wins. Short-track racers
compete against each other. Several skaters
race around a short track in a highspeed
dash to the finish line. Teams of
four compete in short-track relay races.
History
Ice skating probably started in northern
Europe as early as 1000 BC. The first
skates were made from the bones of elk,
oxen, reindeer, and other animals. Skating
became especially popular in the
Netherlands, which has many artificial
waterways called canals. In the winter
skaters used the canals to get from place
to place. Skating on frozen ponds was
popular in England during the 1600s.
The English later introduced skating to
North America.
The first indoor skating building, called
an ice rink, opened in London, England,
in 1876. It had artificially frozen ice.
Three years later the first indoor ice rink
in the United States opened at Madison
Square Garden in New York City.
Indoor ice rinks provide a place for
people to skate even during warm
weather. They also host large ice shows
featuring well-known skaters.
#More to explore
Hockey, Ice • Olympic Games • Skating
Figure skaters perform artistic routines on
the ice.
Speed skating is a type of ice skating.
Speed skaters wear smooth, close-fitting
clothing to cut air resistance at high speed.
110 Ice Skating BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Idaho
Most of the U.S. state of Idaho lies in
the highlands of the Rocky Mountains.
The state is known for its natural beauty.
In addition to towering mountains it
features evergreen forests, high waterfalls,
and steep canyons.
There has been much confusion surrounding
the origin of the state’s name.
Many people now think that the name
was made up by a politician. Idaho is
nicknamed the Gem State. Its official
gemstone is the Idaho Star Garnet. Boise
is the capital.
Geography
Located in the northwestern United
States, Idaho is bordered by six other
states. Montana andWyoming
lie to the east, Utah and Nevada
to the south, and Oregon andWashington
to the west. The Canadian province
of British Columbia lies to the north.
The Rocky Mountains cover most of the
northern half of the state. They also run
along the state’s southeastern border. In
the southern part of the state a large
plain covers the area around the Snake
River. In the west the Snake River flows
through Hells Canyon. It is the deepest
gorge in the United States.
At 12,662 feet (3,859 meters), Borah
Peak in the Rocky Mountains is the
state’s highest point. In general, Idaho’s
climate is mild. The mountain areas are
cooler than the southern plains area.
The mountains sometimes receive large
amounts of snow.
People
The state was settled by people who
moved from the eastern United States.
Whites of European heritage still represent
more than 90 percent of Idaho’s
population. Hispanic Americans make
up more than 7 percent of the state’s
population.
Boise is the largest city in Idaho.
Located in southwestern Idaho, it is the
state’s center of business and government.
Nampa is a large city not far from
Boise. The cities of Pocatello and Idaho
Falls are located in southeastern Idaho.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Idaho 111
Economy
Tourism is a major part of Idaho’s
economy. Sun Valley is one of the
state’s many winter skiing resorts. The
Boise area is the site of high-technology
firms. These companies manufacture
computer parts and laser printers.
Idaho’s farms yield dairy products,
cattle, potatoes, and wheat. Food
