Portal:Figure skating

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The Figure Skating Portal

Figure skating is a sport in which individuals, mixed couples, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork, spirals, and other moves on ice, often set to music. Figure skaters compete in multiple levels, from novice to elite, and at national and international competitions. The International Skating Union (ISU) regulates figure skating judging and competitions. Figure skating is an official event in the Winter Olympic Games. In languages other than English, figure skating is usually referred to by a name that translates as "artistic skating". The four major disciplines of international competition are single skating (both men's and ladies), pair skating, ice dancing, and synchronized skating.

Major international competitions are sanctioned by the ISU. The international senior-level figure skating season begins with the invitational ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The six Grand Prix events are Skate America, Skate Canada International, Cup of China, Trophée Eric Bompard, Cup of Russia, and the NHK Trophy. The Grand Prix series concludes with the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, held in December. Other major events include the European Figure Skating Championships, Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, the World Junior Figure Skating Championships, and the World Figure Skating Championships. Every four years, the top skaters also compete in the Winter Olympic Games.

The sport is also associated with show business. Major competitions generally include exhibitions at the end in which the top-placing skaters perform for the crowd. Many skaters, both during and after their competitive careers, also skate in ice skating exhibitions or shows which run during the competitive season and the off-season.

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Selected article

The move as seen from the back.

The Ina Bauer is a moves in the field element in figure skating, where the skater skates on two parallel blades - on the inside edge of the straight trailing leg and on either the inside or outside edge of the bent leading leg. Many skaters bend their backs backwards, down towards the ice, while performing the move, although this is not required. The most flexible skaters can bend over almost completely backward. The back position is not mandatory, although most skaters will at least bend a little. The move is named for German skater Ina Bauer, who invented it.

The Ina Bauer can be performed on the inside edge of the outside edge. It can be considered an extended fourth position in ballet in terms of where the feet are placed. However, the front leg is bent and the back leg is kept straight. It can be entered into through an inside-edge spread eagle. The outside edge Ina Bauer is considered more difficult than an inside edge.

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Angela Nikodinovperforms a layback spin

The Layback spin is a one-foot upright figure skating spin in which the head and shoulders are dropped backwards and the back arched downwards toward the ice. A common variation has the free leg is lifted toward the back, typically in an attitude position. Another common difficulty variation is the Biellmann spin.

The classic layback position is one in which the torso is bent backwards, the free leg lifted, and the arms extended above the torso, bent in an approximation of a circle. This creates a unique impression during the spin. This position has become iconic of figure skating, showing up in logos and banners promoting figure skating events, including the Olympic Games.

The spin was invented by Cecilia Colledge of Great Britain in the 1930s. It is possible to perform a back layback spin, but due to the difficulty it is rarely performed.

A layback spin can also be performed with the torso leaning more towards the side, in which case it is known as a side layback or sideways-leaning spin. This variation is sometimes used by skaters who lack back flexibility or who have difficulty balancing while arching back, but including both backwards and sideways-leaning positions in a layback spin is considered a feature that adds difficulty under the ISU Judging System. Some skaters add various hand and arm positions to create individuality and artistry in the spin, including skate grabs. Adding a Biellmann position to a layback spin is also considered a feature that adds difficulty.

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Richard Totten "Dick" Button is the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Champion. He was the first skater to land a double axel jump in competition and the first skater to land a triple jump of any kind in competition. He won the World Championships five times, the U.S. national championships seven times, and is the only American skater to have won the European Figure Skating Championships. He still holds the title of being the youngest man to win an Olympic title in figure skating.

Following his amateur career, Button became a television commentator. He has been the voice of figure skating on television in the United States for forty years. Button has also created and organized professional competitions, including the World Professional Figure Skating Championships.

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Did you know...

...that Axel Paulsen (pictured) performed the first Axel jump while wearing speed skates, not figure skates?
...that Terry Kubicka performed the first and only legal backflip in Olympic competition?
...that the first triple jump completed in competition was the triple loop?
...that Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean are the only team to receive straight 6.0 marks for artistic impression at the Olympic Games?
...that figure skaters Martin Stixrud and Scott Allen hold the records of being the oldest and youngest male athletes to medal at the Olympic Games in individual events?