Figure Skating
Olympic Sport since 1908
Saumya Srivastava
IV I, AIS, Noida
Figure Skating About
16th century : Skaters were transporting goods across frozen waterways. 1892 : International Skating Union (ISU) was founded. 1898 : First ISU-sanctioned event was held 1908 : Figure skating was added to the Olympic programme for Summer Games. 1924 : Figure skating became an official Olympic Winter Games sport in Chamonix.
Figure Skating Competition
Singles event
Short programme eight prescribed elements such as jump combinations and spins. Free skating skaters, perform an original arrangement of techniques to music of their choice.
Singles Women & Men
Pairs event
Short programme Free skating. The couple works as one unit, demonstrating overhead lifts, throw-jumps with the man launching his partner, and other manoeuvres. The performance requires harmony, strength and grace.
Ice dancing
Pairs
Similar to ballroom dancing. Complex steps in time with the music. The skaters maintain contact with each other, limiting lifts and jumps. 3 three sections
Compulsory the couple performs one pre-determined dances. Original dance must follow selected rhythms, though the pair can choose their own music and interpretative steps. Free dances the pair freely express their interpretation of the music they have chosen.
Ice Dancing
Figure Skating History
Disciplines origin
Figure skating began in the mid- to late19th century in Europe In 1850, Edward Bushnell of Philadelphia introduced steel bladed skates. This allowed the creation of complex manoeuvres and turns on the ice. Jackson Haines, a ballet master, added the elements of ballet and dance to figure skating. Figure skating competitions were held in the 1880's 1892 International Skating Union was formed 1896 first World championship (for men only) being held in what was then and is now St. Petersburg, Russia (formerly Leningrad). 1906 The first women's championship
Olympic history
Figure skating is the oldest sport on the Olympic Winter program. 1908 London Olympics of 1908 1920 - Antwerp. Events for men, women, and pairs were contested until 1972. 1976 Ice Dancing was added
Figure Skating Sportsperson
Achievements
1927 to 1936 : World Womens Ice-skating Champion for 10 successive years 3 consecutive Olympic Gold in Figure Skating Ladies Single Event :
1928, at Garmisch - Partenkircher, Germany 1932, at Lake Placid, New York, US 1936, at Saint Moritz, Switzerland
Sonja Henie
Queen of Ice The First Figure Skating Celebrity Biography
Born : 8 April 1912 Deceased: 12 October 1969 Birthplace: Oslo (Norway) Nationality: Norway Sport : Skating
The youngest Olympic Gold Medalist at the age of 15 years and 10 months. 1931 to 1936 : European Womens Iceskating Champion 1924 : Ranked 8th Olympic Games at the age of 12, the youngest participant in the event. First to combine ballet dance choreography with figure skating.
Achievements (contd.)
Late 1930s - mid-1950s : Originator of Ice shows, the Hollywood Ice Revue. First Ice-skater to became a Hollywood actress, starring in 12 films. 1937 : The Cross of the Knighthood of the First Class of the Order of St Olav Recipient of more than 500 awards, medals and honors. First woman skater to be inducted at the Athletics Hall of Fame.
First to wear the short skirt and white skates costume.
Winner of a total 18 major championships as a skier. 1936 : Winner of 3 tennis championships, accomplishing Number Three woman tennis player of Norway.
Figure Skating Sportsperson
Achievements
Began skating at age 5 after watching older brother play hockey Five-time World champion (1996, 1998, 2000-2001, 2003), tied with Dick Button and Carol Heiss for most World titles by an American 1998 : Olympic silver medalist 2002 : Olympic bronze medalist A record nine-time U.S. National champion (1996, 1998-2005) Has earned nine medals, the most by any American skater, at World Championships, including five gold, three silver and one bronze Qualified for the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team, but withdrew from competition due to an injury. Received 42 perfect 6.0 marks in major competitions, the most of any singles skater Seven-time Skate America champion (1995-1997, 1999, 2000-2002)
Michelle Kwan
Biography
Height: 5' 2 Born: 7/7/1980 Hometown: Torrance, California Resides: Manhattan Beach, Calif. Sport: Figure Skating
Achievements (contd.)
2003 USOC Sportswoman of the Year; voted USOC Sportswoman of the Month 13 times
2001 : Sullivan Award
1998 : Womens Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year 2000 : Named one of 50 Most Beautiful People in the World by People magazine Published her autobiography Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion on October 1997 and is now in its sixth printing National spokesperson for Children's Miracle Network 'Champions Across America' program Has her own video game, Michelle Kwan Figure Skating - the first interactive figure skating video game for the personal computer.
