This portion of our web guide focuses on the individual disciplines of figure skating and synchronized skating, a form of figure skating.
Born from the tradition of carving intricate patterns on ice long before modern music and choreography took center stage, figure skating captivates audiences with with its jumps, spins, and precise footwork on ice.
The origins of figure skating go back centuries, with early skaters etching patterns on frozen ponds. These "figures" were what gave the sport its name. In the mid-19th century, Jackson Haines and others redefined the sport with free and expressive techniques rooted in dance, moving away from the formal tracing of shapes into the ice. Pioneers like Louis Robinson helped organize competitions and establish standardized tests and regulations in North America, paving the way for the inclusion of the sport in the 1908 Olympic Games, and later as a hallmark of the Winter Olympics.
As television and live performances grew in importance, figure skating expanded both as a competitive sport and as a part of the entertainment culture through touring ice shows and gala exhibitions.
Over the years, figure skating has evolved into several distinct disciplines.
In Men's and Women's Singles, skaters perform individually, integrating required jumps, such as the Axel, Lutz, Salchow, and others, along with spins, and step sequences into two main segments: the short program and the free skate.
Pairs combines two skaters in a duet. Pairs skating melds individual skill with synchronized lifts, throw jumps, and dramatic death spirals.
Focused less on jumps, the Ice Dance emphasizes intricate footwork, dance patterns, musicality, and interpretation. Its routines resemble ballroom dancing performed on ice.
Often called "synchro," the Synchronized Skating discipline is unique for its large teams, typically composed of from eight to twenty skaters, who execute precise formations, step sequences, and transitions in one fluid unit.
Other forms include Theater on Ice and Four Skating, which explore creative performances beyond competitive circuit formats.
Across these disciplines, elements such as jumps, spins, lifts, intricate step sequences, and transitions are judged both for their technical merit and artistic expression. These components define each performance, showcasing everything from raw athletic ability to a more subtle interpretation of music and choreography.
Competitive figure skating is structured into two primary segments: the short program and the free skate. The short program is tightly choreographed, featuring a selection of compulsory elements that demand precision and limited room for error. In contrast, the free skate offers more time and space for skaters to display their technical prowess, as well as their creative artistry. In many events, the combined scores from these segments determine the final standings.
The International Skating Union (ISU) regulates the judging system used in figure skating competitions. Judges award points based on a technical panel's evaluation of each element's base value combined with a grade of execution (GOE), which can result in bonuses or deductions. Additionally, a program components score (PCS) reflects the artistic and presentation qualities of the performance. This intricate scoring system has evolved to ensure that both the technical complexity and the expressive nature of the sport are recognized.
Major competitions in figure skating include the Winter Olympics, the World Championships, the European Championships, the Four Continents Championships, and the Grand Prix series in both senior and junior levels.
A branch of figure skating, synchronized skating began in 1956 when groups of skaters first performed intricate, precision-based routines, then referred to as precision skating. Unlike the solo or paired events, synchro requires a team of eight to twenty skaters working in perfect unison to create visually striking formations on the ice. The sport emphasizes timing, precision, and fluid transitions between elements, including blocks, triangles, circles, lines, and wheels, which are carefully choreographed to intersect seamlessly.
Competition in synchronized skating is divided by levels that range from preliminary stages to elite senior categories. At the highest levels, teams perform both a short program and, where required, a free skate. The short program is designed with a greater emphasis on technical elements. Teams must execute specific maneuvers and step sequences with nearly flawless precision. The free skate allows for a longer duration to express creativity, emotion, and storytelling while maintaining perfect synchronization among all team members. The judging in synchronized skating closely mirrors that of other figure skating disciplines.
Recommended Resources
Powered by XenForo, this online discussion forum is designed for individuals who wish to discuss figure skating. The site claims to be 25 years old, and it first appears in the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine in May 2001, which suggests that the site existed before that time. The forum is read-only for non-members, although a free membership provides access to the majority of the forum, with additional content available to premium members. FSU is a long-term, active forum.
https://www.fsuniverse.net/
Based mainly in Nice, Paris, Toulon, and Biarritz, France; Geneva, Switzerland; Varese, Italy; London, England; and New York, in the United States, I-S-A offers personalized figure skating lessons, private lessons with a coach, online courses with some of the best skaters, or intensive group and private camps. The academy also caters to specialized requests, such as training for agencies and commercials. An online store offers ice skating gear. Online bookings are available.
https://iskatingacademy.com/
Iceliners Synchronized Skating Team
The Iceliners are a synchronized skating team in West Chester, in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Serving the western Main Line areas, they are part of the Ice Line Figure Skating Club. The team offers a comprehensive skating experience, including a summer camp program and various skills clinics that cater to skaters at all levels, from beginners to advanced. Its offerings include tryouts and clinics designed to help skaters refine the fundamentals and master jumps and spins.
https://icelinerssynchro.com/
Jura Synchro is an online media platform dedicated exclusively to synchronized skating. Launched during the 2015-16 season, it has evolved into a specialized news hub for the sport, offering a blend of journalistic articles, video reports, photo galleries, and interviews. The site is designed for an international audience and is available in both English and French. It covers event results, interviews with athletes and coaches, game tips, news, updates, and contacts.
https://www.jurasynchro.com/
Skate Manitoba is the provincial governing body for the sport of figure skating in Manitoba. Operating under the umbrella of Skate Canada Manitoba, the organization set the standards for figure skating across the province, from grassroots training programs to high-performance competitions. The organization administers competitions, registrations, coaching resources, and local club support. Its site includes up-to-date information on upcoming events, and local clubs and schools.
https://mbskates.ca/
Produced by IMG, Stars on Ice is a touring figure skating show that was co-founded in 1986 by Bob Kain (IMG executive) and Scott Hamilton (1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in men's figure skating). The theatrical show features a small cast of elite skaters who perform together in ensemble and solo numbers. The show tours the United States, Canada, Japan, and China annually, and has also staged shows in Europe, Brazil, and Korea. Schedules, skaters, ticket options, and media resources are available.
https://www.starsonice.com/
Formed at the Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center in 1998, Tremors Synchronized Skating is a non-profit organization offering various programs tailored to different age groups and skill levels, including youth and novice programs, as well as advanced training leading to competitive opportunities on a national level, backed by an internationally competitive coaching staff. Its website featured details on upcoming tryouts and registration processes, community events, and contacts.
https://www.tremorssf.org/
Operating out of two locations in Southern California, the Unity Ice Academy is a non-profit organization designed to make figure skating accessible to children of all backgrounds. The program centers on removing the barriers of cost, equipment, and traditional access that often prevent low-income families and under-represented communities from participating in the sport. Its summer camps and other programs are highlighted, and its operations and contacts are presented.
https://unityiceacademy.org/
The governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States, the organization was initially formed as the United States Figure Skating Association in 1921, and is a member of the International Skating Union. It is recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act. It regulates and governs the sport, defining and maintaining standards for skating proficiency through testing, competitions, and other activities.
https://www.usfigureskating.org/
The official athletics fan hub for the U.S. Figure Skating Team is an online community where fans can delve into topics related to figure skating, whether they are seeking a comprehensive event calendar, real-time competition schedules, results, or in-depth recaps of outstanding performances. It includes dedicated sections for international competitions, collegiate and synchronized skating events, and athlete biographies and interviews. TV schedules, programs, and podcasts are included.
https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/
