Amine wrote:
Now I thought that sideslips (and crabs--whatever the difference
between the two is...) were only to be used to handle crosswinds. I
didn't read anywhere that they could be used to bleed excessive speed,
although it makes sense from an aerodynamics perspective. Anyone out
there used sideslips for anything other than crosswind approaches?

Glider pilots use them on occasion for rapid descent and they are expected
to demonstrate proficiency in them on the practical exam.