Crossword Genius

Jump on ice in lake to the east of ditch (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

axel

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'jump on ice' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'lake to the east of ditch' is the wordplay.
'lake' becomes 'L' (geographical abbreviation).
'to' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'the east of ditch' becomes 'axe' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'l' put after 'axe' is 'AXEL'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for axel that I've seen before include "Jump executed on ice" , "Figure-skating jump" , "Figure skater's jump" , "part of skating performance" , "What skater may do" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app