What does the cryptic crossword clue "Adjusted balance after skating originally looked hard (6)" mean?

The definition is "looked hard". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). S (synonym="first letter of [originally] S KATING") + TARED (synonym="adjustment of the gross weight of a vessel to allow for the weight of the empty vessel; the cargo is the adjusted balance of weight") = STARED; definition: "looked hard" The answer is STARED.

Adjusted balance after skating originally looked hard (6)

Independent Cryptic #11652 | 21 Down | 2024-02-14 flower

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