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Figure Skating is a sport in which single athletes or teams of athletes conduct artistic performances on ice. Both men and women participate in their own singles events with pair skating events and ice dancing events open to both genders (usually one male and one female).
Athletes produce a wide variety of moves in order to impress a panel of judges, who score the athletes based on their grace, flair and control. Moves include jumps and spirals in the air, spins on the ice and a number of different step sequences.
Figure Skating has been a part of the Winter Olympics since the games first began in 1924, and also made appearances at 1908 and 1920 Summer Olympics before that.
The United States are the current world leaders in Olympic Figure Skating, holding a total of 49 medals overall. Russia and Austria are the closest rivals with 26 and 20 medals, respectively. The Soviet Union also picked up 24 medals during their time in the competition.
Object of the Game
The overall objective in Figure Skating is to score the highest marks possible from the judges, although there are different ways to score points depending on the nature of the event.
For all Figure Skating competitions, athletes are required to perform a number of different moves in order to obtain the highest possible score from the judges. During a typical performance, athletes will execute a selection of spins, jumps and steps.
In pair skating competitions, athletes perform actions with one another in order to score high points, such as throwing a partner in the air and spinning the partner around in various directions.
Ice dancing is somewhat similar to pair skating, although the focus here on is on footwork and coordination as partners dance together in time with music being played overhead.
Players & Equipment
Both men and women participate in Figure Skating, and there is little equipment involved other than specially made pairs of skates called “Figure Skates”.
Figure Skates
Figure Skates are specially designed skating shoes with thick steel blades at the base and jagged grooves at the front known as “toe picks” – which assist athletes with their footwork on the ice, as well as landing and spinning. The specific style of toe picks can vary.
The main blades are ordinarily around 4 millimetres thick, although they can vary depending on the shoe size of the athlete. They also curve round to one side in order to assist with turns on the ice.
Athletes will always attempt to skate on the very edges of the figure skate blades.
For ice dancing, athletes usually have slightly shorter blades on the base of their shoes, with slightly different design to accommodate step-work rather than jumping.
Costumes
Men and women are required to wear specific costumes in order to perform on the professional stage. Men are asked to wear trousers, whilst women are required to wear tights, trousers, or unitards, as well as skirts.
Scoring
Athletes in Figure Skating are scored according to the ISU Judging System by a panel of judges (usually nine judges including a technical inspector, and also a referee). This system functions by awarding athletes different amounts of points for different types of moves, as well as how efficiently and effectively these moves are executed. A Grade of Execution (GoE) is calculated, and then a Scale of Value Table is used to turn this grade into an overall mark.
The main aspects scored during a typical Figure Skating performance include skill, footwork, performance, interpretation, overall execution, choreography and timing. Often, the more complex manoeuvres will be scored highest provided they are executed correctly. For example, the more rotations in a jump will lead to a higher mark.
Winning
The winner of a Figure Skating event is the individual/team who achieves the highest overall score.
Rules of Figure Skating
- Athletes in Figure Skating must keep their performances varied. The Zayak Rule states that no participant can attempt triple or quadruple jumps on more than two occasions.
- Judges may also mark down participants or disqualify them completely if they fail to adhere to rules and regulations for music and costumes. Certain types of music are not permitted, and costumes cannot contain “excessive decoration” or be considered as too revealing.
- Athletes can also be disqualified for time violations.
FAQs
Figure skating, as its name suggests, involves skating "figures" on ice. The sport requires competitors to skate selected patterns, or figures, as part of their routines. Ice skating has developed from a practical way to get around on ice into the elegant mix of art and sport it is today.
Is figure skating one of the hardest sports? ›
While figure skating may not traditionally fall under the umbrella of extreme sports, it's certainly one of the most challenging disciplines to master. This sport requires skaters to embody grace, precision, and athleticism, all while maintaining balance on thin blades.
Is figure skating a sport or a performance? ›
Figure skating is one of the most technical sports of the Winter Olympic Programme. The five events that make up the programme are the men's singles, women's singles, pairs, ice dancing and the team event.
Is figure skating a sport or art? ›
While figure skaters are athletes, as are dancers, their performances are shaped by their mastery of artistry. Figure skaters train for hours a day to perfect their skills. The jumps, spins and lifts require enormous amounts of effort to learn and master.
Is ice skating an expensive sport? ›
Cost Range: $800 to $10,000+
The cost of lessons can really add up, especially when combined with the cost of ice time and travel expenses. Like several of the more expensive sports on this list, figure skating is usually not a high-school-funded sport.
What is the hardest sport for a girl? ›
Gymnastics is known as the hardest sport in the world. Many people don't understand why it's so difficult, but at Virginia Elite Gymnastics Academy, we know all too well!
Is figure skating a high risk sport? ›
The most common injuries from ice skating are: Broken bones, particularly the ankle, wrist, and collarbone (clavicle, or AC joint) Bruises and cuts from falls or contact with pucks, skate blades, and other skaters. Concussions and head injuries.
What's the easiest sport to go pro in? ›
Actually Baseball is one of the easiest sports to to go pro. The NBA and NFL by far are the hardest of the major sports? Why? There is really no minor leagues in football…
Is figure skating a feminine sport? ›
As previously noted, figure skating is typically regarded as a 'feminine' sport; however, the traditional gender binary is still visually reiterated through gendered costume differences (Adams, 2011).
Is figure skating an elegant sport? ›
Figure skating is also arguably the most elegant and graceful of all the Olympic sports. It's not only the majestic twists and twirls but also the motion of gliding across the ice that naturally emanates an aura of finesse and refinement.
As of May 20, 2024, the average annual pay for an Ice Skating in the United States is $106,759 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $51.33 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,053/week or $8,896/month.
Why is figure skating a beautiful sport? ›
Artistry and Elegance: Figure skating is known for its grace, beauty, and artistic expression. Skaters perform intricate routines set to music, incorporating elements like jumps, spins, and intricate footwork. The combination of athleticism and artistry makes figure skating a captivating sport to watch.
Why is figure skating a good sport? ›
Physical fitness
But the health benefits can also be more subtle than sheer muscle power. From the fine motor skills involved in lacing up their skates to the sheer muscle power involved in complex jumps, figure skating is an excellent head-to-toe workout.
Can you make a career out of ice skating? ›
You should remember that you won't be able to make a life-long career out of show skating. Depending on your sign-up age, you may spend 15-20 years touring though, seeing the world with a large group of friends.
Why is figure skating a sport? ›
Figure skating and synchronized swimming are considered sports because they involve physical exertion, skill, and competition. In figure skating, athletes perform jumps, spins, and intricate footwork, while synchronized swimming requires strength, endurance, and precise synchronization with a team.
How do you describe figure skating? ›
figure skating, sport in which ice skaters, singly or in pairs, perform freestyle movements of jumps, spins, lifts, and footwork in a graceful manner.
When was figure skating considered a sport? ›
In 1908, figure skating became an Olympic sport, surprisingly, at the Summer Games. Those Games were much longer than most, lasting from April to the end of October, as the figure skating events were held many months after the other events had ended.
Is figure skating a snow sport? ›
Figure skating is one of the most popular winter Olympic sports. The sport was first introduced in the 1908 Summer Olympic Games and moved to become part of the Winter Games in 1924. It was one of the first sports with a category for women and the only Winter Olympic sport with women competitors until 1936.
