| Figure skating is a technically demanding and graceful | | | | given the blessing of the governing body, anyone can |
| sport. A pleasure to watch as the skaters glide over | | | | enter. |
| the surface of ice. | | | | Some skaters who have had success at the |
| But do you really understand what it is all about? | | | | Olympics may feel they would be better off skating |
| What makes one jump tougher to do than another? | | | | professionally and retire. Others may have simply |
| How do the Judges award the scores? | | | | decided to retire due to time or money restraints of |
| With the popularity of figure skating growing, especially | | | | Olympic competition. |
| during the Olympic games we thought we should help | | | | Becoming eligible for Olympic competition is extremely |
| you to understand what it is all about. | | | | competitive and some skaters simply drop out and |
| Here is an amazing fact. Figure skaters will beat every | | | | turn professional performing in such shows as Ice |
| hockey player in a flat out race. They even beat them | | | | Capades and Disney on Ice. |
| skating backwards. | | | | There are two programs in competitive figure skating. |
| If you ever attend a professional hockey game and sit | | | | The short program lasts 2 ½ minutes. Worth one |
| near the ice you will find the above statement hard to | | | | third of the overall score, consists of required elements |
| believe. But it's true. Figure skating is fast. | | | | that the skater may perform in any order to the music |
| The reason for this is the hockey player is trained to | | | | they have chosen. They have three jumps, three spins |
| use his power to accelerate in a quick burst of speed | | | | and two footwork requirements. Failure to execute |
| and to dart from side to side instantly. The figure | | | | any of these compulsory movements will reduce their |
| skater is trained to glide with longer strides with less of | | | | score. A missed move is a lost move since the skater |
| the quick turns. They train to jump. | | | | cannot retry a move. |
| Figure skaters got their name from the compulsory | | | | The longfigure skating program last four minutes and |
| figures they had to do in competition prior to 1990 | | | | counts for 2/3 of the over all score. Judges allow a |
| when it was finally dropped. The skaters were | | | | little more flexibility and there are no set requirements. |
| required to perform figures tracing a pattern on the ice | | | | Most of the competitors today include 6 or 7 triple |
| such as a figure eight. Not only that but they had to do | | | | jumps, several spins and combinations. Most men not |
| it on the inside or the outside of the blade. | | | | only do the same but also do quadruple jumps during |
| Once completed the judges would literally get down on | | | | their free-skate program. |
| the ice to check the tracing to see how close they | | | | The judges then award points for a score. Two |
| came to perfection. Since figure skating is not an | | | | aspects are considered. |
| exact science, everything must be considered. | | | | Technical mark takes into account the requires |
| Points were awarded or lost if the figure went too far | | | | elements. It reflects the difficulty the skaters had to |
| or there were additional tracings caused by wobbling | | | | perform as well as the clean execution of the spins, |
| or putting the other foot down. Skaters and audiences | | | | footwork and jumps. |
| were no doubt extremely happy to hear they were | | | | The Presentation mark reflects the flow, as well as |
| eliminated. | | | | the choreography and the balance of the figure |
| The School figures competition was a part of the | | | | skating program. It also takes into account the skaters |
| figure skating because the judges were able to better | | | | ability to reflect themselves into the music. They must |
| judge the technical perfection than the current | | | | skate with speed, confidence and effort. |
| methods do. Technique is not as important today as | | | | Scoring. |
| skaters who may be weaker technically may still win. | | | | Figure skating is not an exact science and neither is |
| Up until recently there were two categories of skaters. | | | | judging. The scores can range from 0.0 to 6.0. Judges |
| Pofessional and Amateur. Only amateur skaters could | | | | must take into consideration all of the various aspects |
| compete in the Olympics. Professional skaters were | | | | involved in the program and make a scoring decision |
| barred. Times have changed as the cost of preparing | | | | based upon the guidelines. Very rarely will an Olympic |
| to compete in figure skating has risen so that today it | | | | figure skating contestant obtain a score of 6.0. |
| can cost up to $45,000 per year. | | | | Joe and Irma Mac Millan have enjoyed the Whistler |
| Now amateurs are allowed to earn money, but only in | | | | Mountain and valley area of British Columbia for many |
| eligible, sanctioned events. The old categories are no | | | | years. They have camped, hiked and skied the |
| more. Now eligible skaters are able to compete in the | | | | mountains and fished and kayaked the rivers and |
| Olympics and ineligible skaters have given up the right | | | | lakes. Their website One couples guide to the exciting |
| by competing in unsanctioned events. | | | | Whistler-outdoors is a must for anyone considering a |
| Each country has a figure skating federation to govern | | | | trip to Whistler as well as the 2010 Vancouver |
| which is an eligible event. Once an event has been | | | | Olympics. They invite one and all to take a look. |