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Olympic Figure Skating

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There are four events in Olympic figure skating

There are four events in Olympic figure skating: ladies and men's singles, pairs and ice dancing.

The singles comprises of two disciplines.

The short programme must include eight required elements in any sequence to music selected by the skater.

The free skate gives the competitor the opportunity to express their individual style and highlight their strengths. There are a few restrictions on jumps and spins.

In pairs skating, skaters compete side-by-side in unison and perform several combined elements such as lifts. It also includes a short programme with eight required elements and a longer free skate with a few restrictions.

The ice dancing consists of two compulsory dances, an original dance and a free dance.

Ice dancing is very different from pairs skating. Couples face more restrictions on what they can perform and must master prescribed movements.

Olympic Event Guide - Ice Dancing

Ice dancing is often described as ballroom dancing on ice.

Unlike in pairs skating, the emphasis is less on spectacular jumps and lifts and more on how gracefully the skaters make their way around the ice.

The skaters are in contact almost all the time, and they are marked on how well they move to the music and the quality of the steps they execute.

Figure skating has been on the official Olympic programme since 1924, but ice dancing was only introduced at the Innsbruck Games in 1976.

More About Olympic Ice Dancing

Competitors skate three programmes:

The compulsory dance requires all skaters to perform the same routine, with a series of specific steps done in a set way. This accounts for 20% of the total score.

The original dance gives all skaters a set rhythm, like the tango, but they can create their own routine. The programme has a time limit of two minutes and counts for 30% of the total score.

The free dance is the finale to the competition, and it accounts for half the total score.

DID YOU KNOW?
Ice temperature affects skating speed - the colder the ice, the slower the skates will run

It allows them to give free rein to their skills as they select the music and moves, using changes of position, holds, small lifts and fancy footwork to earn marks.

The time limit for the routine is four minutes, and the marks from the three programmes are all added together to obtain a final total.

Apart from the skates, all that is required in ice dancing is a costume - but choosing the right outfit is a complicated business.

Costumes must complement the music and moves for maximum dramatic effect, and they are custom made at great expense.

The more eye-catching, the better.

Women must wear a skirt and their clothing "must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for an athletic sport".

Men must wear full-length trousers and their costume may not be sleeveless.

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Event Guide - Figure skating (singles)

Ice skating is the sport that brings glitz and glamour to the Winter Olympics.

The high-speed steps, spins and jumps make for some spectacular action.

And the wait for the marks to be announced after a routine only heightens the drama.

The singles events often produce the most compelling viewing, as the skater glides around the ice knowing the slightest mistake or fall could be the difference between a gold medal and nothing at all.

Competitors skate two programmes:

The short programme consists of eight elements which must be completed - three jumps, three spins and two fast step sequences.

Performing to music, the skater can execute the elements in any order, with a time limit of two minutes and 50 seconds.

There are penalties for failing to complete an element correctly, and the 24 skaters with the best marks advance to the free skate.

The free skate forms the finale to the competition, and carries two thirds of the total marks.

There are no required elements, but the skater aims to impress the judges in a choreographed programme containing as many jumps, spins and step sequences as possible.

The women are limited to four minutes and the men to four minutes 30 seconds.

The marks from the two programmes are added together to reach a final total.

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Olympic Event Guide - Figure skating (pairs)

The key to pairs skating is timing.

The male and female skaters must mimic each other's movements as closely as possible as they execute a series of jumps, spins and step sequences.

The other big difference between pairs and ice dancing is that in pairs the woman spends plenty of time in the air, with the man carrying out a series of lifts and throw spins.

Competitors skate two programmes:

The short programme consists of eight elements: one hand-to-hand lift, one throw twist (double or triple), one throw jump (double or triple), one solo jump, solo spins (done in unison), pair spins, a death spiral and a spiral step sequence.

Performing to music, the two skaters have a time limit of two minutes and 50 seconds.

The free programme counts for two thirds of the overall marks.

DID YOU KNOW?
Ice temperature affects skating speed - the colder the ice, the slower the skates will run

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 programme 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 four minutes and 30 seconds.

The marks from the two programmes are added together to obtain a final total.

The Complete Book of Figure Skating

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Excellent Winter Olympic Links for Kids

Figure Skating Coloring Page: Use PRINT on the left or click over the image once & print.
Figure Skating Coloring Page | Pairs: Use PRINT on the left or click over the image once & print.
Figure Skating Word Search Puzzle: This figure skating word search puzzle
contains a fact about figure skating in the uncircled letters
of the word search puzzle
Figure Skating Jumps Word Search Puzzle: This figure skating jumps word search puzzle
contains a fact about jump in the uncircled letters
of the word search puzzle
Figure Skating Spins Word Search Puzzle: This figure skating word search puzzle
contains a fact about figure skating spins in the uncircled letters
of the word search puzzle
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