Figure Skating is a sport which originally consisted in creating ‘figures’ in the ice whilst ice skating. The first steel blades were introduced in 1850 by Edward Bushnell. Around the same time, ballet master Jackson Haines added ballet and dance movements to figure skating. These two developments created figure skating as we know it today: a combination of elegant choreography and jumps, spins, turns and lifts, all performed on ice.

Figure skating was firstly introduced to the Winter Olympics in 1908. Since then, it has expanded to include 4 figure skating events: women’s singles, men’s singles, pairs and ice dancing.

[image: zimbio.com]

1. Singles events
Both men and women’s individual events is made up of 2 parts:
• Short programme: combines 8 figures (jumps combinations, spins, turns) that have been chosen in advance.
• Free skating programme: is a freestyle choreography created and performed by the competitor. It must be balanced in the number of ‘figures’. Too many or too few means points deducted by the judges.

2. Pairs event
The performing couple have to do a short programme and a free skating programme, like in the singles events. However, there are figures which are specific to the pairs event, such as over-head lifts and the lady being launched in the air by the man.

[image:zimbio.com]

3. Ice dancing
Similar to ballroom dancing, ice dancing is performed on ice by a couple and does not include many high lifts. It is a very popular event as it is performance based: the choreography, costumes, music all come together to create an exciting show.