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Figure Skating
Figure skating is said to have developed from the efforts of Mr. Jackson Haines. During the American civil war, this ballet master lived in Vienna . He began to teach ballet to ice skaters, earning for himself the nickname “the American ice master”. The creation of the toe pick in 1870 is also credited to him. Skaters may compete as individuals, in pairs or as teams. Each competitor choreographs two numbers, the short and long program. Each program includes the list of specific moves that the skaters will perform and is a basis for their scores. The core of figure skating is to make the difficult moves seem absolutely effortless. The men's and ladies singles are perhaps the best known, having produced such well known achievers as Dorothy Hamill, Michelle Kwan, Peggy Fleming, Todd Eldredge and Scott Hamilton. Dorothy Hamill, in fact has a signature move that later became a standard of the industry called the Hamill Camel. Watching a pair compete in pair skating is a study of beauty in precision and style. The pair needs to execute moves simultaneously and move as one at certain times. Partners practice to achieve the perfect lifts, spins and throws that make spectators and judges clap in appreciation. Many people continue to be inspired to learn to figure skate after watching the 1978 movie Ice Castles. Cutting Edge starring D.B. Sweeney and Moira Kelly showcases the discipline required by ice skaters and some of the moves unique to pair skating. Disney's movie Ice Princess shows how easy it is to get started in ice skating; there really is no age limit on when to start with this sport. |
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Figure skating is one of the world's most graceful and beautiful sports. It combines the showmanship of theater with power and strength. Skaters dazzle the crowd with their leaps, spins and jumps. In some cases it looks like they defy gravity to reclaim them as they throw their bodies in the air to achieve their triples.