To be on the slopes is how many Russians finish (3)
I believe the answer is:
ski
'to be' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't understand how one could define the other.
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ski that I've seen before include "Winter sports equipment" , "Winter sports item" , "Snow-runner" , "Winter sport attachment" , "Winter sport item" .)