Winter Olympics Glossary
Each sports discipline has its own terminology, important both for communication and competition. Considered a precise language for each sport’s category or a working tool for experts and journalists, but also a sign of belonging to a specific tribe of sports fans.
Short track
Assistance: Skaters are only allowed to receive assistance during the push they receive from their teammate in a relay race
Backstretch: The straightaway of the track where skaters change lanes every lap (with the exception of the 1,000- and 1,500-meter races) to make sure both athletes are covering the same distance.
Charging the block: When a skater passes on the inside as skaters make a turn
Cornering technique: When an skater swings one arm diagonally to keep their balance while the other arm is either swung (to increase speed) or held behind the back (to save energy).
Crossover: To maintain balance, skaters cross the outside foot over the inside foot while skating around the curves.
Finishing: When a skater swings both arms across the body to increase speed, usually used during the push to the finish.
Impeding: A skater will be disqualified if he or she deliberately blocks, charges or pushes another competitor with any part of the body.
Kicking out: A skater will be disqualified if he or she reaches out for the finish line with a skate
Push: In a relay event, skaters push their teammate from behind to help them start their leg of the race.
Right of way: The lead skater has the right of way and any passing skater is responsible for avoiding contact.
Ski Jumping
K Point: A location on the landing area used to determine a score's deductions or additions.
Out-run: The area at the bottom of the hill where skiers land and stop.
Telemark position: To land with one ski in front of the other while lunging forward.
V position: The position in which most jumpers keep their skis during flight. With this technique, the skis touch or nearly touch at the tail and spread apart at the tips.
Snowboarding
Halfpipe: A half-cylinder dug into the snow in which athletes compete. Snowboarders criss-cross the half pipe, soar above the rim and perform aerial tricks.
Parallel Giant Slalom: An event in which athletes race side-by-side down a slope on separate but identical courses.
Snowboard cross: A new event in which four boarders race down the same slope performing jumps and tricks and trying avoid collisions.
Speedskating
Assistance: Skaters are only allowed to receive assistance during the push they receive from their teammate in a relay race.
Backstretch: The straightaway of the track where skaters change lanes every lap (with the exception of the 1,000- and 1,500-meter races) to make sure both athletes are covering the same distance.
Charging the block: When a skater passes on the inside as skaters make a turn
Cornering technique: When an skater swings one arm diagonally to keep their balance while the other arm is either swung (to increase speed) or held behind the back (to save energy).
Crossover: To maintain balance, skaters cross the outside foot over the inside foot while skating around the curves.
Finishing: When a skater swings both arms across the body to increase speed, usually used during the push to the finish.
Impeding: A skater will be disqualified if he or she deliberately blocks, charges or pushes another competitor with any part of the body.
Kicking out: A skater will be disqualified if he or she reaches out for the finish line with a skate
Push:In a relay event, skaters push their teammate from behind to help them start their leg of the race.
Right of way: The lead skater has the right of way and any passing skater is responsible for avoiding contact.