Weird stumble or photographic artefact?

[Katewerk]

I grabbed a screenshot of this yesterday, and as it really doesn't fit any of the forum categories, am asking here.

Is this photo capturing the horse accurately, or is it a distortion caused by the track camera? I checked the race replay, there didn't seem to be any indication of a problem after the line.

[Flanders]

its just distortion by the track camera. I've noticed it a lot in photo finish pictures, the legs always look unnatural.

[shortlead]

I know they're only distortions but I've almost had heart attacks looking at those kinds of pics, especially of the ankles. Tend to look like breakdowns!

[Second of June]

it's called strip photography...the camera captures a series of images in a very narrow slit at one specific point (in this case, the finish line). the slit images are then composited together into one photo, showing the exact same spot at a variety of times. the entire photo is what is happening as that horse crosses the finish line, and since some parts may be crossing the slit at a different speed, it can cause some distortion.