Figure Skating

Grace and strength flowing together means harmony.

On the ice, whether it is the pairs or individual competitions, the skaters trace circles, lines, intersections and other figures, accompanied by music and with perfectly synchronised movements.

This sport, which was the first to be included in the Olympic program, never ceases to enchant and inspire its audience, cutting across the rink like a blade on an icy stage.

Figure Skating consists of four different events:

• men's and ladies' individual skating;
• pairs figure skating;
• ice dancing.

The Men’s and Ladies' individual competition is composed of two separate parts: a short program and a free skating program.

Pairs skating is performed in unison by partners implementing overhead lifts (lifts without going beyond the shoulder line), throw jumps and spins. The pairs competition has a short program and a free skating program.

Ice dancing is based on rhythm, interpretation of music and precise steps. An ice dancing competition is made up of three parts: one compulsory dance, an original dance and a free dance.

The Men's and Ladies' Individual Figure Skating Events

Form, style, concentration, strength, technique and the ability to perform under immense pressure are essential requirements in the men’s and ladies' individual competition. Athletes are judged on two separate programs: a short program and a free skate program.

Short program

The short program counts for one-third of a skater’s total score and consists of eight required elements: three jumps, three spins and two fast step sequences. The skater selects an instrumental piece of music and may perform the required moves in any order within a two-minute, 40-second time limit. Failure to complete any of the required elements in the short program results in a scoring penalty. The 24 highest-scoring skaters in the short program advance to the free skate.

Free program

The free skate counts for the remaining two-thirds of a skater’s total score and has no required elements. The skater selects the instrumental music and theme and choreographs a program that includes many difficult jumps, spins and footwork as well as artistic moves. Judges evaluate the difficulty of the performance, its variety, cleanness, confidence and speed. Change of pace, creativity and innovative moves are rewarded by the judges. The time limit for the free skate is 4 minutes for ladies and 4 minutes, 30 seconds for men.

Pairs Skating

Pair skating is essentially free skating performed in unison by partners, with the addition of overhead lifts, throw jumps and spins. The key to pair skating is exact timing and simultaneous movements. Pair skating, like individuals, has a short program and a free skate program.

Short program

The short program counts for one-third of a skater’s total score and consists of 8 elements: one hand-to-hand lift, one throw twist (either double or triple), one throw jump (either double or triple), one solo jump, solo spins (done in unison), pair spins, death spiral, spiral step sequence. The team selects an instrumental piece of music and may perform the required moves in any order within a time limit of 2 minutes, 40 seconds.

Free program

The free skate technically has no required elements, but a well rounded routine that includes lifts, jumps, spins and sequences is essential to a good score. The team chooses its own instrumental music and choreographs a program that includes technical and artistic moves that best display both the individual strength and the ability to perform as a team. The time limit for the free skate is 4 minutes, 30 seconds.

The Ice Dancing Event

Ice dancing is performed by partners but unlike pairs skatingthe emphasis is on rhythm, interpretation of the music and precise steps. Similar to ballroom dancing, the skaters remain in contact almost throughout the event. Ice Dancing is made up of three parts: the compulsory dance, an original dance and a free dance.

Compulsory Dance

All skaters perform the same selected dance: rhythm and specific steps that must be done in an exact manner with exact placement on the ice. The compulsory dance counts for 20 percent of a team’s final score.

Original Dance

Skaters are given a prescribed rhythm, such as the tango or Paso Doble: they must create an original version of the dance with moves of their choice. The time limit for the original dance is 2 minutes. The original dance counts for 30 percent of a team’s final score.

Free program

The free dance has no required elements, allowing teams to display their full range of technical skills, interpretation and inventiveness to music and choreography of their own choice.

Teams use changes of position, intricate and varied dance holds, small lifts and difficult footwork to present their best skills.

The time limit is 4 minutes.

The free dance counts for 50 percent of a team’s final score.

In the last Olympics some major controversies arose with regards to the judging system because of some "scores" in favour of the most titled champions or the most prestigious federations. In order to prevent these issues from occurring again, a new system has been put in place to check the judges' score cards. In case of any anomalies in the judgement (although the score may be subjective, it is still determined on the basis of specific technical components) the judge risks a warning and the subsequent disqualification. Although during this first testing phase of the new judging system, the federation has limited itself to a few warnings, it has proven to be a very effective deterrent.

Source: www.torino2006.org

Event schedule