Every four years, the Winter Olympics brings excitement to many. Some actually get to watch it in person. While others are glued to their TV for almost two weeks. Olympic figure skating has been a part of the Winter Games for almost 100 years. From excitement to controversy, it has brought both to the scene. This year, Covid-19 brings even more challenges. Athletes are doing their very best to stay healthy for their events. Moreover, their training needs to be at its peak in these weeks just before the Olympics begins.
From the earliest beginnings of a figure skater’s career, there are many choices. All start out with basic skills. These are the same skills that you can learn if you go to your local rink and enroll in skating school group classes. Thereafter, many take private lessons to improve their skills. Next comes tests, competitions, shows, and recitals, as the love of the sport continues to grow.
The first classes taken in ice skating are geared toward balance, falling as safely as possible, and being able to get up safely. After that, as a student continues they will learn how to balance on one foot while skating forward and backward. This should be mastered going straight and on a curve. These are the basic skills that will allow a skater, to gracefully, yet powerfully glide down the ice. Figure Skating is done almost always on one edge or the other of the skate blade. Every maneuver or skill starts from a glide in a circular path. Of course, Olympic Figure Skating is at the highest level. Therefore, the expectations are for excellence only. That is exactly what you will see.
What You’ll See on TV
There are four disciplines that will be on display at the Winter Games: Ladies Singles, Men’s Singles, Pairs, and Ice Dancing. In Ladies and Men’s singles as well as Pair skating, there is a Short Program and a Long Program. The combined scores of both programs are what tell the outcome of the competition. The Short Program must contain specific skating elements completed in 2 minutes and 40 seconds. The skater is allowed a 10-second leeway. However, there is a deduction if they finish in less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds or go over time and finish in more than 2 minutes and 50 seconds. The long program allows the skater to showcase the hardest skating elements that they can do using choreography that is well balanced. This is a 4-minute program that also has that -/+10 second leeway.
One of my favorites as a skater, coach, and spectator is Ice Dancing. Ice dancers perform the Rhythm Dance and then the Free Dance. The combined score of these decides the outcome of the competition. Like the Short Program, there are specific elements in the Rhythm Dance that must be completed in 2 minutes and 50 seconds with a -/+10 second leeway. As an ice dancer, it is necessary to first learn the compulsory dances. This type of skating is done to music in a set pattern with specific steps, turns, and timing. Every year, a section from one of the higher level compulsory dances is chosen to be skated as part of the Rhythm dance. This year it’s the Midnight Blues. Smooth! The Free Dance is always a joy to watch and as its name suggests there is more freedom in the choreographic decisions.
Olympic Figure Skating means Judges
How do they do it? Judging a Figure Skating competition that is. So many technical elements that are done with such speed. In the blink of an eye, you could miss something. Judges are well trained with many years of Figure Skating Judges schools under their belts, as well as skating experience. As a coach, I have been to 3 judges’ schools and found them to be very enlightening. Judging is seldom easy in any competition. Moreover, the level of expertise at the Olympic Games makes it even harder.
For decades the 6.0 judging system was used at all skating competitions. It is still used to this day in non-qualifying competitions. In 2002 a system was created called the IJS (International Judging System). Instead of just having 9 judges, there is also a technical panel. This technical panel is made up of 5 people. Their roles are technical controller, technical specialist, assistant technical specialist, data operator, and video replay operator. Ah, the replay factor. Many of us remember skating life before that. Perhaps our eyes can deceive us, but a REPLAY CANNOT!
In a skater’s program, each element is given a base value or GOE (grade of execution). For instance, a skating element such as a jump, spin, or step sequence is given a particular GOE based on its level of difficulty. When a skater has completed the element, they are given credit for it. The 9 judges will also give them a score that is based on the quality of the performed element. This could be up to 5 points added or 5 points deducted from the base value. This is just the tip of the iceberg in understanding the rules and other workings of this sport.
So Much To See
So whether you are a diehard figure skating fan, or this is all new to you, why not enjoy watching it during the Winter Games or any of the competitions covered by network TV? Then you might be inspired to take some classes. Before long you’ll be gliding smoothly on the ice, feeling that wonderful sense of freeness. You might even want to start a journal of your personal figure skating experience.
Across the globe, the number of adult skaters has increased over the years. Many are even competing at the national level, while others just enjoy learning something new, making new friends and challenging themselves to do amazing things. So, do try a class. You’ll be happy that you did. Just in case you need some classy attire for your next skating class, be sure to go HERE. This former NBA dancer with some 25 years of classical training in ballet has produced a line of comfortable athletic wear.
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