What is figure skating ?
In reality, figure skating is not easy because it requires a lot of balance and momentum.
Image credit HERE
Ice skating is a sport and or hobby in which people slide over an ice surface on steel-bladed skates. Around the world during winter, millions of people skate in parts where it is cold enough that the lakes freeze. Many people figure skate for exercise and passion. "Skating can make you feel athletic, graceful, beautiful"(Gracie Gold), demonstrating how figure skating can become passion someone's passion.
Ice -skating shows have entertained people worldwide. In these shows, skaters express their talent. Since lakes don't freeze all around the world, indoor rinks have made year round figure skating possible. For instance,
In 1572, the first iron skates were made. These blades were very helpful because forward motion friction was reduced and the resistance to slipping enabled many figure skaters challenged themselves more. Figure skaters improved faster with instructional books, which were published. Scottish immigrants introduced the iron-bladed skated in North America. When the iron blades were permanently attached to leather boots, figure skating developed as a competitive sport. When the earlier skates were used, the blades dulled fast and the shoes lacked ankle support.
Jackson Haines created an easy technique using the steel skates, which included waltz like movements. In 1908, figure skating became an Olympic event. Sonja Henie popularized figure skating in 1936. Before making it professional, she won many competitions. Figure skating competitions are held for both women and men. Competitions are either in a single, pair, or ice dancing category. For many years, the single category was judged by the skater's precision, balance , gracefulness and control. These requirements were eliminated in 1990 by the International Skating Union. Skaters should now perform a shorter movement program with required moves. Skaters are judged by their ability to do spirals, spins, jumps and a program with music.
Competitions in pairs is quite similar to the single one because they are judged on shorter movement techniques and longer skating performances. In addition, pairs use partner assisted jumps and lifts. A requirement is that the partners must keep a unison routine in the performance. Ice dancing prohibits lifts and specific movements are required. Ice dancers are required to perform two additional dances, all including music. A skater recalls, "Society is like a large piece of frozen water; and skating well is the great art of social life"(Letitia Elizabeth Landon), how ice skating defines society.
Ice -skating shows have entertained people worldwide. In these shows, skaters express their talent. Since lakes don't freeze all around the world, indoor rinks have made year round figure skating possible. For instance,
In 1572, the first iron skates were made. These blades were very helpful because forward motion friction was reduced and the resistance to slipping enabled many figure skaters challenged themselves more. Figure skaters improved faster with instructional books, which were published. Scottish immigrants introduced the iron-bladed skated in North America. When the iron blades were permanently attached to leather boots, figure skating developed as a competitive sport. When the earlier skates were used, the blades dulled fast and the shoes lacked ankle support.
Jackson Haines created an easy technique using the steel skates, which included waltz like movements. In 1908, figure skating became an Olympic event. Sonja Henie popularized figure skating in 1936. Before making it professional, she won many competitions. Figure skating competitions are held for both women and men. Competitions are either in a single, pair, or ice dancing category. For many years, the single category was judged by the skater's precision, balance , gracefulness and control. These requirements were eliminated in 1990 by the International Skating Union. Skaters should now perform a shorter movement program with required moves. Skaters are judged by their ability to do spirals, spins, jumps and a program with music.
Competitions in pairs is quite similar to the single one because they are judged on shorter movement techniques and longer skating performances. In addition, pairs use partner assisted jumps and lifts. A requirement is that the partners must keep a unison routine in the performance. Ice dancing prohibits lifts and specific movements are required. Ice dancers are required to perform two additional dances, all including music. A skater recalls, "Society is like a large piece of frozen water; and skating well is the great art of social life"(Letitia Elizabeth Landon), how ice skating defines society.
Favorite Figure Skater?
When I grow up, I want to be like Gracie Gold because she is my role figure skater. I have been figure skating since I was about 8 years. When I was doing an axel at age 9, I fell and fractured my arm. Unfortunately, I could not skate until I was 10 because my hand had to recover. During these 2 years, I looked for motivation from other skaters. I found Gracie and read her story, which was quite interesting because she started at the same age as me and for the same reason.
When Gracie was about 8 years old, she went to birthday party at her local ice skating rink and saw the "professionals" and started the following week. Gracie and I have the same dream, to go into the Olympics. In 2013, Gracie made her dream come true by qualifying for the Winter Olympics. In the World Champions, she ended up in sixth place, securing a definite spot for the U.S in the Olympics, along with her partner, Ashley Wagner.
Gracie toured the U.S with Stars on Ice during Spring of 2014. Towards the end of the 2014-2015 season, Gracie won bronze medal, however, the victory was followed by a horrible incident. On her following show, Gracie fractured her left foot, making her retire for the rest of the season. Gracie recalls , " When it comes down to competition, it's not always about the best skater, it's about who skates best in that competition"(Gracie Gold), demonstrating how a skater's reputation does not matter in the competition.
When Gracie was about 8 years old, she went to birthday party at her local ice skating rink and saw the "professionals" and started the following week. Gracie and I have the same dream, to go into the Olympics. In 2013, Gracie made her dream come true by qualifying for the Winter Olympics. In the World Champions, she ended up in sixth place, securing a definite spot for the U.S in the Olympics, along with her partner, Ashley Wagner.
Gracie toured the U.S with Stars on Ice during Spring of 2014. Towards the end of the 2014-2015 season, Gracie won bronze medal, however, the victory was followed by a horrible incident. On her following show, Gracie fractured her left foot, making her retire for the rest of the season. Gracie recalls , " When it comes down to competition, it's not always about the best skater, it's about who skates best in that competition"(Gracie Gold), demonstrating how a skater's reputation does not matter in the competition.
Hardest j
ump..... The image on left shows the steps towards an axel. The axel is the hardest jump to learn, especially if skaters are toe jumpers.
Image credit HERE
Hope you enjoyed :)