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ƨt$PvW9&t~t9&>zu$PvW$PvW$PvWw$PvWh9&>ju9&X&&$ډFVRP9&69&6$PP%Pvv vvvW%PvW9&6&69&6&6:&6&6#%Pvv vvvWB:&6&6:&6&6:&6&60%Pvv vvvW=%PvWD:&&&(0T|RPE%Pvv vvvW vW" 9&$PP] FpP FVv~vvO%PvV vV" PvVj! FPQ\%QJ] PvV" PvVJ] PvvvJ] F~~;~v^^؋NJ*3QNJ*&3ZF;v|։~v] v_%PvV PvV" PvVJ] FF=vP FVvv`  t 2PP]  :&uvv`  t|] u t 3P( -*ui%PvV vV2 ui6`#6^#vVF  uN6p#6n#vvF  t~9&X&&e%PFPW ƋFv2PP] 9&X&&V\2PP]  :&u9&X&&ˎ9&X&&k%PFPV NjFvW 3^_]U WVFdžPƆ{dž8o%:dždž@~%BdžD%FdžH%J+NL9& & vx~prt89 +&G&n9&9ptH9&9vt=PP9&6&6`%P9&6&6ZT %P| T :&P FVpP FV+FF{{<vv~uZ6`#6^#%P~V P~V" P~VJ] ransition from a back camel spin to a back sit spin by first bending the knee of the skating leg and then turning out the free hip to "flip over" into the sitting position. biellman spin -- this is the spin where the skater arches her back and pulls her free leg high over her head. death drop -- a flying spin similar to a flying camel, but where the skater immediately drops into a back sitspin. arabian or butterfly -- a jumping move similar to the entrance of a flying camel or death drop, but without the spin afterwards. Usually done in a series of two or three in a row. spiral -- an edge skated with the free leg extended and held higher than hip level. A relatively easy move, but effective when done with good stretch and speed. spread eagle -- a figure skated on two feet with the toes pointing in opposite directions. It can be done either on outside or inside edges. Again, this is a fairly easy move and its effectiveness depends on being done with speed and a good body position (namely, without the skater's bottom jutting out awkwardly). ina bauer -- a spread eagle variant where one knee is deeply bent and the other leg stretched behind the body. Typically done with an arched back. mohawk, choctaw -- these are two-foot front-to-back or back-to-front turns. A mohawk is done on from inside-to-inside or outside-to-outside edges, while a choctaw involves a change of edge. Mohawks are commonly used in free skating as a simple turn or in step sequences, but choctaws are more typically used only in ice dancing. [B.3] What are the required elements for the technical program? For men: (a) double axel (b) a triple jump preceded by connecting steps (c) a combination of two double or triple jumps, without intervening steps or turns (d) a flying spin (e) a different flying spin, done in a combination with a change of foot and a change of position. (f) another spin combination with a change of foot that utilizes all three basic spin positions (sit, camel, and upright). (g), (h) two different step sequences For ladies: (a) double axel (b) a double jump preceded by connecting steps (c) a combination of two double jumps or a double jump and a triple jump, without intervening steps or turns (d) a flying spin (e) a layback spin (f) a spin combination with a change of foot that utilizes all three basic spin positions (sit, camel, and upright). (g) a spiral step sequence (h) another step sequence For pairs: (a) overhead lift (b) double twist lift (c) side-by-side double jumps (d) side-by-side spin combinations, with a change of foot and at least one change of position (e) pair spin combination (f) death spiral (g) a spiral step sequence (h) another step sequence [B.4] What technical elements should I expect to see in a medal-winning free-skatinge ISU allocates the slots to the different countries depending on the placement of their skaters at the previous year's world championships. Basically, if a country placed a competitor in the top 3 (top 5 for pairs), they get to send three entrants in that division; if they placed a competitor in the top 10, they get to send 2; and otherwise, they can only send one entrant. Note that the slots are assigned to the countries, not the individual skaters who "earned" them at the previous competition; each country can send any skaters it wants to use up its slots. Because the number of skaters participating in these competitions has become very large in recent years (making it hard to judge these events), there is now a qualifying round competition at the world championships to seed the skaters and reduce the number who make it to the final round. There is no qualifying round competition at the Olympic games, but the ISU has instead strictly limited the number of skaters in each event (again, giving priority to countries whose skaters placed higher at the previous year's worlds). In the US, the teams for the Olympic games and world championships normally consist of the top finishers from the US national championships. In theory, the selection committee is permitted to deviate from the consecutive order of finish, but in practice about the only time they do so is when a top skater from the previous year was unable to compete or skated poorly at nationals due to injury. In turn, skaters qualify to compete in the US national championships either by winning medals the previous year, or by skating in regional and sectional qualifying competitions. [A.9] Why was [well-known skater] not disqualified when she had trouble with her skate laces? The rules specifically allow for situations where skaters have problems with their equipment or costumes breaking that makes it difficult or dangerous for them to continue skating, as well as similar problems with their music or the ice surface. Depending on the nature of the problem and how long it takes to fix it, the referee will usually allow the skaters either to immediately pick up where they left off, or to reskate their entire program after all the other skaters in the group are finished. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Part B] Technical Elements ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [B.1] What are the different jumps? How did they get such funny names? The thing that distinguishes the different jumps is the takeoff. Most right-handed skaters jump in a counterclockwise direction and land all the jumps on a right back outside edge. I'll describe all the jumps in this sense to minimize confusion. These are the jumps you see in competition most often, in approximate order from least to most difficult: toe loop -- the approach is on a right back outside edge. The skater then reaches back with the left foot and jabs the toe pick into the ice to provide assistance for the jump at takeoff. Often done as the second jump of a combination, or as a solo jump after an inside three turn. (This is the same jump that roller skaters call the "mapes", and that is called a "cherry flip" in some parts of the world.) salchow -- the takeoff is from a left back inside edge; the typical approach is from a three turn. The right leg swings to the front with a scooping motion just prior to takeoff to assist the rotation. The jump is named after Ulrich Salchow, who dominated skating in the early 1900's. loop -- this is also an edge jump, with takeoff from a right back outside edge. Usually skaters approach this jump by skating backwards on two feet, with the left foot crossed in front of the right. (In Europe, this is also known as a Rittberger jump, after its inventor Werner Rittberger.) flip -- this is a toe-assisted jump from the left back inside edge and right toe pick. Like the salchow, the usual approach is a three turn. lutz -- this is a toe-assisted jump from the left back *outside* edge and right toe pick; this means that the approach curve has the opposite "direction" than the landing curve. The most typical approach for this jump is a long, shallow edge diagonally across the rink. Named after Alois Lutz. axel -- this is the only common jump with a forward takeoff, from a left front outside edge. Because of this, a single jump is actually 1.5 rotations. Named after Axel Paulsen, who invented it. You also sometimes see these jumps, usually only as single jumps: walley -- takeoff from a right back inside edge. You sometimes see a skater do two or three of them in a row, shifting from the right back outside landing edge to an inside edge to begin the next jump. toe walley -- takeoff from a right back inside edge and left toe pick. Considered interchangable with the toe loop. half loop -- this is a jump with a takeoff like the loop jump, but that is landed on a left back inside edge. This is a full-revolution jump in spite of the name. It's mainly used as a linking element with a salchow in jump combinations. one-foot axel -- this is a jump with a takeoff like an axel, but that is landed on a left back inside edge like the half loop. split jump -- the takeoff is the same as a flip, and the jump is landed facing forwards on the left toe pick and right inside edge. If the skater does a full rotation and lands backwards in the usual way, the jump is called a "split flip". (You can also do a split jump from a lutz takeoff.) [B.2] What about spins and other moves? back spin -- performed in the same rotation sense as a forward spin, but on the opposite foot. Most right-handed skaters spin counterclockwise, doing a forward spin on the left foot and a back spin on the right foot. scratch spin -- a fast upright spin. So called because it is done on the forward part of the blade, so that the toe pick scratches the ice slightly. camel -- a spin in the "airplane" position, e.g. the torso and free leg in a horizontal position. A flying camel is a back spin in the camel position entered by means of a jump with a forward takeoff, similar to an axel. grafstrom spin -- a low camel spin, skated with a bent knee. hamill camel -- this is a t for 1995 Nationals is 1-800-SKATE 95. The phone number for information about 1996 Nationals is 408-984-6837. There is a travel agency called SkateTours that specializes in offering travel packages (including hotel and transportation as well as event tickets) for most competitions, including those in Europe and Asia. For information, call 703-483-3700. [C.5] Why didn't [well-known skater] compete at [Skate America | Skate Canada | Trophee Lalique | etc]? There are several of these "minor" international competitions that take place each fall. They are sponsored by the various national skating organizations in order to provide some additional competition opportunities for their younger skaters, many of whom wouldn't qualify for a "major" international event like the world championships. Established skaters go to these competitions too, to try out new routines or gain more media exposure. But skaters typically only participate in one or two of these competitions each season, and it's unusual for all of the top skaters to show up at any one of them. [C.6] What's the piece of music so-and-so is skating to? Well, I'm not a walking music encyclopedia, but here are some (mostly classical pieces) that I've been able to identify. These are programs from the 1993/94 season. Brian Boitano technical: music from "Carousel" free skate: "A Lincoln Portrait" and "Appalachian Spring", by Copland Scott Davis technical: music from "Zorba the Greek" free skate: music from "West Side Story" Kurt Browning free skate: music from "Casablanca" Elvis Stojko technical: "Frogs in Space" free skate: music from "Dragon" Aren Nielson free skate: music from "The Rocketeer" Victor Petrenko technial: "Toreador Song" from "Carmen", by Bizet free skate: "La donna e mobile" from "Rigoletto", by Verdi; "Ah fors e lui" from "La Traviata", by Verdi Philippe Candeloro free skate: music from "The Godfather" Alexei Urmanov technical: themes from "Rigoletto", by Verdi free skate: themes from "The Barber of Seville", by Rossini Oksana Baiul technical: "Swan Lake" ballet, by Tchaikovsky free skate: medley of Broadway show tunes Chen Lu technical: "Claire de Lune", by Debussy free skate: music from "The Mission" Tonya Harding technical: music from "Much Ado About Nothing" free skate: music from "Jurassic Park" Nancy Kerrigan technical: music composed for her by Mark Militano free skate: medley of Neil Diamond tunes Josee Chouinard free skate: "An American in Paris", by Gershwin Brasseur & Eisler technical: "Hungarian Dance #5", by Brahms free skate: "Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini", by Rachmaninoff Mishkutenok & Dmitriev technical: "Don Quixote" ballet, by Minkus free skate: "Piano Concerto #2", by Rachmaninoff Gordeeva & Grinkov technical: flamenco medly free skate: "Pathetique" and "Moonlight" piano sonatas, by Beethoven Shishkova & Naumov free skate: "Die Fliedermaus" overture and waltz, by Strauss Kovarikova & Novotny technical: "Warsaw Concerto" by Addinsell free skate: Overture to "La Forza del Destino", by Verdi Torvill & Dean free dance: "Let's Face the Music and Dance" Usova & Zhulin free dance: music from "La Strada" [C.7] Who are recent [US | world | Olympic] champions? [Note: I'd be happy to include Canadian/European champions in this list, if somebody sends me the information.] Men: 1994: US/Scott Davis; Olympic/Alexei Urmanov 1993: US/Scott Davis; World/Kurt Browning 1992: US/Christopher Bowman; World/Viktor Petrenko; Olympic/Viktor Petrenko 1991: US/Todd Eldredge; World/Kurt Browning 1990: US/Todd Eldredge; World/Kurt Browning 1989: US/Christopher Bowman; World/Kurt Browning 1988: US/Brian Boitano; World/Brian Boitano; Olympic/Brian Boitano 1987: US/Brian Boitano; World/Brian Orser 1986: US/Brian Boitano; World/Brian Boitano 1985: US/Brian Boitano; World/Alexander Fadeev 1984: US/Scott Hamilton; World/Scott Hamilton; Olympic/Scott Hamilton 1983: US/Scott Hamilton; World/Scott Hamilton 1982: US/Scott Hamilton; World/Scott Hamilton 1981: US/Scott Hamilton; World/Scott Hamilton 1980: US/Charles Tickner; World/Jan Hoffmann; Olympic/Robin Cousins Ladies: 1994: US/Tonya Harding; Olympic/Oksana Baiul 1993: US/Nancy Kerrigan; World/Oksana Baiul 1992: US/Kristi Yamaguchi; World/Kristi Yamaguchi; Olympic/Kristi Yamaguchi 1991: US/Tonya Harding; World/Kristi Yamaguchi 1990: US/Jill Trenary; World/Jill Trenary 1989: US/Jill Trenary; World/Midori Ito 1988: US/Debi Thomas; World/Katarina Witt; Olympic/Katarina Witt 1987: US/Jill Trenary; World/Katarina Witt 1986: US/Debi Thomas; World/Debi Thomas 1985: US/Tiffany Chin; World/Katarina Witt 1984: US/Rosalynn Sumners; World/Katarina Witt; Olympic/Katarina Witt 1983: US/Rosalynn Sumners; World/Rosalynn Sumners 1982: US/Rosalynn Sumners; World/Elaine Zayak 1981: US/Elaine Zayak; World/Denise Biellman 1980: US/Linda Fratianne; World/Anett Poetzsch; Olympic/Anett Poetzsch Pairs: 1994: US/Meno & Sand; Olympic/Gordeeva & Grinkov 1993: US/Urbanski & Marval; World/Brasseur & Eisler 1992: US/Urbanski & Marval; World/Mishkutenok & Dmitriev; Olympic/Mishkutenok & Dmitriev 1991: US/Kuchiki & Sand; World/Mishkutenok & Dmitriev 1990: US/Yamaguchi & Galindo; World/Gordeeva & Grinkov 1989: US/Yamaguchi & Galindo; World/Gordeeva & Grinkov 1988: US/Watson & Oppegard; World/Valova & Vasiliev; Olympic/Gordeeva & Grinkov 1987: US/Watson & Oppegard; World/Gordeeva & Grinkov 1986: US/Wachsman & Waggoner; World/Gordeeva & Grinkov 1985: US/Watson & Oppegard; World/Valova & Vasiliev 1984: US/Carruthers & Carruthers; World/Underhill & Martini; Olympic/Valova & Vasiliev 1983: US/Carruthers & Carruthers; World/Valova & Vasiliev 1982: US/Carruthers & Carruthers; World/Baess & Thierbach 1981: US/Carruthers & Carruthers; World/Vorobieva & Lisovsky 1980: US/Babilonia & Gardner; World/Cherkasova & Shakhrai; Olympic/Rodnina & Zaitsev Dance: 1994: US/Punsalan & Swallow; Olympic/Grischuk & Platov 1993: US/Roca & Sur; World/Usova & Zhulin 1992: US/Sargent-Thomas & Witherby; World/Klimova & Ponomarenko; Olympic/Klimova & Ponomarenko 1991: US/Punsalan & Swallow; World/Duchesney & Duchesney 1990: US/Wynne & Druar; World/Klimova & Ponomarenko 1989: US/Wynne & Druar; World/Klimova & Ponomarenko 1988: US/Semanick & Gregory; World/Bestemianova & Bukin; Olympic/Bestemianova & Bukin 1987: US/Semanick & Gregory; World/Bestemianova & Bukin 1986: US/Roca & Adair; World/Bestemianova & Bukin 1985: US/Blumberg & Seibert; World/Bestemianova & Bukin 1984: US/Blumberg & Seibert; World/Torvill & Dean; Olympic/Torvill & Dean 1983: US/Blumberg & Seibert; World/Torvill & Dean 1982: US/Blumberg & Seibert; World/Torvill & Dean 1981: US/Blumberg & Seibert; World/Torvill & Dean 1980: US/Smith & Summers; World/Regoeczy & Sallay; Olympic/Linichuk & Karponosov [C.8] How do I send fan mail to my favorite skater? Your best bet is send it to them in care of the rink or skating club where they train, or their national skating federation. The USFSA (or CFSA, for Canadians) may be helpful in providing addresses and/or forwarding mail. USFSA: 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719)-635-5200 CFSA: 1600 James Naismith Dr., Gloucester, ON K1B 9Z9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Part D] References ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [D.1] Are there any good books about figure skating? A recommended book about the technical aspects of figure skating is John Misha Petkevich's "Figure Skating: Championship Techniques" (ISBN 0-452-26209-7), published by Sports Illustrated and available in many bookstores. It's a trade-sized paperback, and features photos of Brian Boitano. The USFSA rulebook includes complete competition and eligibility rules, diagrams of compulsory figures and dances, and a directory of participating clubs. It comes in a small-sized loose-leaf binder and costs about $10. It's updated yearly. You can order a copy directly from the USFSA, at: 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719)-635-5200 You might also be able to buy a copy through your local skating club or pro shop. [D.2] What about magazines? Here is a list of periodicals which deal with skating. (Disclaimer: this isn't intended as a commercial endorsement of any of these publications. Also, you might want to double-check the subscription rates, since they may have changed since this information was collected.) SKATING 20 FIRST STREET COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80906-3697 719-635-5200 12 ISSUES/YEAR $25/US Official magazine of the United States Figure Skating Association. Gossipy profiles of skaters, competition and tour reports, etc. It includes 6 issues of a bimonthly magazine and 6 issues of a bimonthly newsletter. THE PROFESSIONAL SKATER P.O. BOX 5904 ROCHESTER, MINN 55903 6 ISSUES/YEAR $19.95/US, $29(USD)/CANADA, $45(USD)/FOREIGN Newsletter of the Professional Skaters Guild of America. Basically has articles of interest to coaches, etc. Black/White photographs. PATINAGE MAGAZINE 39 BLD DE LA MARNE F-76000 ROUEN FRANCE 5 ISSUES/YEAR $30/US, $32(CANADIAN)/CANADA Published in French w/ English translation. Fabulous photography! TRACINGS 21 WEYBOSSET ST. WEYMOUTH, MA 02191 8 ISSUES/YEAR $16/US, $19/CANADA & OVERSEAS PUBLISHED BY THE NEW ENGLAND INTER-CLUB COUNCIL Features Black/White photographs, New England amateur skaters; but also has articles on professional skaters, reviews of pro competitions and ice shows. BLADES ON ICE 7040 N. MONA LISA ROAD TUCSON, ARIZONA 85741 PHONE: 602-575-1747 FAX: 602-575-1484 6 ISSUES/YEAR $25/US, $34(USD)/CANADA, $45(USD)/EUROPE, $50(USD) OTHER COUNTRIES AMERICAN SKATING WORLD 1816 BROWNSVILLE ROAD PITTSBURGH, PA 15210-3908 12 ISSUES/YEAR $19.95/US, $29.95(USD)/FOREIGN AIR MAIL: $38.95(USD)/CANADA, $63.95(USD)/OTHER COUNTRIES This is sort of a monthly skating newspaper--it is printed on newstock. TODAY'S SKATER CANADIAN FIGURE SKATING ASSOCIATION 1600 JAMES NAISMITH DR. GLOUCESTER, ONTARIO K1B 9Z9 CANADA Apparently only one issue/year. The CFSA also has a very nice catalog with instructional videos, books, and other skating paraphernalia. SKATER'S EDGE BOX 500 KENSINGTON, MARYLAND 20895 5 ISSUES/YEAR $15/US, $20(USD)/CANADA, $25(USD)/EUROPE This is a newsletter (or small magazine if you prefer) of about 12 pages. It is devoted to technique -- NO GOSSIP about skaters. The articles and skating tips come from established coaches and famous skaters. [D.3] Who wrote this FAQ list? My name is Sandra Loosemore. I've followed the sport for many years, although I've never been more than a recreational skater myself. Some of the information in the post is taken from the USFSA rulebook. I also incorporated suggestions from Helena Robinson, Fred Chapman, Ann Schmidt, Mary Kolencik, and Stephen Kawalko. The information about magazines was provided by Deborah Reed-Margetan.