Crossword Genius

Second sign of affection almost for winter sports equipment (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

skis

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'sports equipment' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'second sign of affection almost' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
'sign of affection' becomes 'kiss' (I've seen this before).
'almost' means to remove the last letter (almost the whole word is kept).
'kiss' with its final letter taken away is 'kis'.
's'+'kis'='SKIS'

'for winter' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for skis that I've seen before include "On these in slalom" , "More than one runner" , "Engages in a winter sport" , "Travels on snow" , "Snow runners" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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