CTV Olympics EquipmentequipmentequipmentequipmentequipmentHome SkipNavigationEnglish FranaisLogin RegisterLogin RegisterLoginLogout Profilesportsfsnewssectionnewssportfsareasportspos1tile1sz728x90 Team Canada2010 ScheduleMedalsAthletesNationsNewsPhotosVideoAbout Vancouver 2010MoreGames History London 2012 Health and Wellness Environment and Sustainability Podcasts Audio Slide Show Torch RelayContestsStoreHockeyCurlingSkatingFigure Skating Short Track Speed Skating Long Track Speed Skating SlidingBobsleigh Luge Skeleton SkiingAlpine Skiing Biathlon CrossCountry Skiing Freestyle Skiing Nordic Combined Ski Jumping SnowboardParalympic SportsMy ShortcutschooseAlpine SkiingBiathlonBobsleighCrossCountry SkiingCurlingFigure SkatingFreestyle SkiingHockeyLong Track Speed SkatingLugeNordic CombinedShort Track Speed SkatingSkeletonSki JumpingSnowboardchooseAlpine SkiingBiathlonBobsleighCrossCountry SkiingCurlingFigure SkatingFreestyle SkiingHockeyLong Track Speed SkatingLugeNordic CombinedShort Track Speed SkatingSkeletonSki JumpingSnowboardchooseAlpine SkiingBiathlonBobsleighCrossCountry SkiingCurlingFigure SkatingFreestyle SkiingHockeyLong Track Speed SkatingLugeNordic CombinedShort Track Speed SkatingSkeletonSki JumpingSnowboardchooseAlpine SkiingBiathlonBobsleighCrossCountry SkiingCurlingFigure SkatingFreestyle SkiingHockeyLong Track Speed SkatingLugeNordic CombinedShort Track Speed SkatingSkeletonSki JumpingSnowboardFigure Skating NewsPhotosVideoMedals2010 SchedulePrintCancelPrintCORD Equipment CORDPosted Thursday January 15 2009 232 PM ETShare This true Skates The blade is attached to the sole of the boot with screws The boots are made mostly of leather with synthetic inserts The blades are made of stainless steel Elite skaters will have their boots custommade to molds or drawings of their feet and buy their blades separately sized to fit the boot Customfit boots and blades can cost upwards of $2000 It can take several weeks to break in a new pair of skates (soften the leather around the ankles) The front of the blade has toe picks used for jumps and footwork Viewed from the side the blade is curved upward slightly so that the area below the ball of the foot is where spins will be centred The blade has a groove on the bottom to create two distinct edges inside and outside Skaters should skate on one edge or the other not the flat Ice dance blades are about an inch shorter in the back than other blades to make it easier to do intricate footwork and close partnering Ice dance boots will be slightly lower in the back to allow for more bend in the ankle Skaters will have their blades sharpened every few weeks usually professionally but some will do their own Costumes ISU Rule 500 2 states that clothing of the competitors must be modest dignified and appropriate for athletic competition not garish or theatrical in d...