Figure Skating - History

Humans have been skating for thousands of years. The first skates were made from animal bones and attached to the feet with leather straps. People used skates as a way of crossing frozen lakes and rivers in the winter. In the 1850s, figure skating started when skaters started trying various spins and jumps on ice. The first World Figure Skating Championships for men were held in 1896 in Russia. The first World Figure Skating Championships for women were held in Switzerland in 1906.

source: http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p5204.htm accessed June 24, 2006

1860 Skate patent in a shopping catalogue!

The early skate patent image dates back to 1860. The skate ad comes from the 1902 Sears & Roebuck catalog. The other images come from the 1880's through the 1920's.

source:  http://www.icesk8.com/

The World's Oldest Known Skating Image

In 1396 Lydwine (also Ludwina and Lidwina), a beautiful 16 year old girl, from Schiedam in Holland was visited by friends, who invited her to go skating. Legend says that Lydwine's friends insisted that she go skating even though she said she wasn't feeling well. Once they were on the ice Lydwine was knocked down. She broke 6 ribs and was bedridden for the rest of her life. After the accident Lydwine had visions and was given credit for performing many miracles. Lydwine was canonized in 1890 and was named the Patron Saint of Skating in 1944. This image of the fateful fall was made in 1498 by the Dutch artist, Johannes Brugman. This image provided courtesy of the SchaatsMuseum (Netherlands).  source:  http://www.icesk8.com/

Figure Skating is a sport with many dimensions.  its  many disciplines include: Singles Freestyle, Pairs Freestyle, Dance, Precision, Figures, and Moves-in-the-Field.  More about them later.   But first, what about the sport in general? 

Skaters normally begin to skate in a group lesson environment, such as the USFSA's Learn-to-Skate program, often called "Basic Skills".  Basic Skills classes are taught at most rinks on a regular basis throughout the year, and are a very cost-effective way to learn the basics of skating, whether your interest is in competitive figure skating, recreational skating, or hockey.  When skaters have learned the basic elements of skating in this group environment, many will join a skating club and begin to further develop those skills by working with a private instructor, or "Pro".  In order to join most clubs, skaters must have passed through, or have demonstrated capability in all of the skills through the "Basic 6" or "Basic Eights 8"  level of the Basic Skills program.

Club skaters typically practice anywhere from 1 to as many as 12-15 hours per week, depending on their level of interest, competitiveness, and budget.

Many skaters compete, and when they do so, they compete within groups of other skaters with similar ability levels.  These abilities are proven by the passage of official USFSA tests, taken in front of USFSA appointed judges at designated "test sessions".  The tests establish several "Levels" of skating in each discipline.  When you watch skating on TV you are watching skaters who have passed all the way to the top of the test structure, called the "Senior" level.  But there are many levels below Senior, and most club skaters are somewhere on that ladder, moving upwards.  Competitive skating levels are not determined by age, although often in competitions, age will be used as a secondary factor to group smaller "flights" of skaters within a single test level.

Freestyle
This is the discipline in Figure Skating that most spectators are familiar with.  In Freestyle skating, or "Singles Freestyle" skating, a competitive skater performs a "program" that lasts anywhere from 1 to 4-1/2 minutes, is composed of elements such as jumps and spins, and is usually skated to music. 

 In freestyle competition, both "long" and "short" programs are skated.  The "short program" at each level has a very specific list of elements which must be performed, and the skater is marked on his/her performance of those elements.  Specific deductions are taken for missing or failed elements, and for added or repeated elements.  The "long program"  has no list of required elements, only a general set of guidelines for what should or should not be included.  Skaters are marked on both the quality of elements performed and the difficulty & content of the program.  Contrary to popular belief, there are no required deductions for falls in a long program, however the skater is given no credit for having executed or tried the maneuver which caused the fall. 

 In Singles Freeskating, there are 8 Test Levels defined.  With the exception of the very first one, each test is a program skated to music, with very specific required elements (sort of like a "short program" for competition).  In the very first, or "PrePreliminary" freestyle test, the skater is asked to perform jumps and spins as separate elements.  The singles freestyle test levels are: Pre-Preliminary, Preliminary, Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, and Senior.

Pairs
Pairs skating is similar in many respects to singles freeskating, except that 2 skaters perform together.  This adds all sorts of opportunities for new moves, such as lifts, throws, and pair spins and jumps.  Pairs skating has both "long" and "short" programs, just like singles freeskating, and a test structure which includes: Preliminary, Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, and Senior. 

Dance
Ice Dancing is the discipline within skating that most emphasizes the "beauty" of the sport, rather than the athleticism.  Dance emphasizes the techniques of edgework, flow, and motion of 2 skaters together in rhythmic interpretation of music.  Ice Dancing has 2 main focus areas, the "Compulsory Dances", and the "Free Dances". 

 In compulsory dances, skaters are given a very specific pattern to follow.  This pattern is shown in the form of a drawing which specifies the skater's moves right down to which foot is doing what particular step during every single "beat" of the music.  Dancers are marked on their ability to skate the required pattern with demonstrated musical feeling. 

 In free dances, skaters get to make up their own "programs", within specified guidelines.  These programs must demonstrate basic dance elements and steps in a musical, but not "theatrical" way.  No jumps or spins are allowed, and dancers are required to stay close together throughout the course of the dance program.

 The test structure for dance includes tests in compulsory dances, as well as free dances, and includes the following levels: Preliminary, pre-Bronze, Bronze, pre-Silver, Silver, pre-Gold, Gold, Junior International and Senior International. 

Dance is one of the skating disciplines where age is no barrier. Many adults and senior adults nationwide enjoy this discipline for both its athletic value and its social aspects.

Moves-in-the-Field
Moves-in-the-Field, or "Moves" is a technical discipline, designed to help skaters improve their execution of the basic moves of skating.  Edgework, turns, stroking,  body control and extension are emphasized, mostly done with "power" as a primary focus.  The Moves-in-the-Field discipline is primarily a test discipline, although some competitions are running Moves events.  Moves-in-the-Field has test levels matching each singles freestyle level, and it is required that all skaters testing freestyle must pass the equivalent Moves test prior to taking the corresponding test in the freestyle or pairs disciplines.

Figures
Figures is another of the technical disciplines, one primarily emphasizing body control and edges/turns.  Figures are the famous "figure 8s" for which the sport is named, and there are dozens of different ways to modify the basic figure 8 for testing purposes.  Each variant emphasizes a certain skill, and all require great concentration and stamina to perform.  Figures are still tested and competed, although this discipline is dropping in popularity of late.

Synchronized Skating
Synchronized Team Skating (once known as "precision skating") is a "team" event, with teams of 8 to as many as 24 skaters skating complicated routines similar to those performed by marching bands or drum corps. Large teams may execute patterns of incredible complexity and beauty. The teamwork and timing required makes this a challenging sport.  Precision skating is another discipline where age is not a significant barrier, and adults nationwide enjoy and compete in this discipline. 

  <------ click on this button to jump to Figure Skater's Website.

"ISI Skater's and Coaches Handbook" 1998

"ISI Skater's and Coaches Handbook" 2004

source:  http://barbara.standke.free.fr/ accessed June 13, 2006.

The Ice Skating Institute was founded in 1959 as a nonprofit organization for owners, operators, and developers of ice skating facilities. For over 45 years, ISI has become the industry trade association for progressive ice skating facilities, managers, coaching professionals, suppliers and individual skaters.

ISI:

source:  http://www.skateisi.com/HTML/about_isi/what_is.cfm accessed June 12, 2006.

ISIAsia is an independent body with license to use the copyrighted skating program of the Ice Skating Institute as the basis for recreational teaching and testing of ice skating in those countries who subscribe to ISIAsia membership.

ISIAsia is the Governing body for recreational ice skating for Asia. With permission of the Board of Directors of the Ice Skating Institute, U.S.A., ISIAsia was established August 16, 1999.

ISIA's Services

ISI and USFSA both have the same goals in that both programs promote the sport of skating on ice. The difference is in that USFSA--which has now changed it's name to US Figure Skating, is the Governing body for figure skating when it comes to sanctioned tests and Qualifying competitions in the United Skates and reports directly to the ISU--the International Skating Union. ISI regonizes that it is a "recreational" program. Bascially ISI programs are a way for a rink to provide lessons, competitions etc, without the need for a USFSA club. There are many areas and rinks that don't have a USFSA club affiliation, so using the ISI system, the rink can market and offer learn to skate programs, as well as its own system of competitions for skaters. Both are good programs--the difference is the ability to skate in the qualifying competitions that allow the skater to move up the competitive ladder, ie: regionals, sectionals, US Nationals, Worlds and Olympic competitions.

What is the International Skating Union?

"The International Skating Union (ISU) was founded in 1892 and is the oldest governing international winter sport federation.

During the last half of the nineteenth century, informal international competitions in both Speed Skating and Figure Skating were organized occasionally in different parts of the world. The first modern Speed Skating competition was held in Norway in 1863 and the first major International Speed Skating race was held in Hamburg (GER) in 1885. In 1882, the first International Figure Skating competition took place in Vienna (AUT).

With the emergence of international competitions, in both Speed Skating and Figure Skating, as well as the forming of skating clubs and of national associations, the need to establish international standards to govern these sports became more and more apparent. In July 1892, the Dutch association took the lead in calling for a meeting of representatives of all countries interested in international ice skating competitions. As a result, the first Congress convened in Scheveningen (NED) and the ISU was created. The fifteen delegates present at the time, all from Europe, began to establish firm rules, laying down the foundations for international competitions in both disciplines. With the addition of Canada as a Member in 1894, the ISU expanded its horizons to become a truly international governing body.

Since the foundation of the ISU the ice skating disciplines have developed steadily over time to occupy the significant role they now enjoy in the world of sport."

To read more about the International Skating Union, visit www.isu.org.

What are the Philippine sports organizations related to ice skating?

Philippine Ice Skating Union

Based on the International Skating Union's Communication No. 1267, the ISU Council decided during the meetings held on Sunday June 6th, Saturday June 12th and Sunday June 13th, 2004 in Scheveningen, The Netherlands to accept  the Philippine Skating Union to join the ISU as provisional Figure Skating Members with immediate effect.

source: http://www.isu.org/vsite/vfile/page/fileurl/0,11040,4844-168498-185716-62012-0-file,00.pdf accessed June 16, 2006.

Ice Skating Union of the Philippines

The ICE SKATING UNION OF THE PHILIPPINES (ISUP) is the governing body for the sport of ice skating in the Philippines. It is a private sports organization, recognized as the National Sport Association (NSA) for ice skating. The Ice Skating Union of the Philippines is an associate member of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

http://www.olympic.ph/nsa.html accessed June 16, 2006.

Philippine Sports Commission

The PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION is a government agency created under Republic Act No. 6847 which is tasked to oversee and direct the country's sports development program.

Philippine Olympic Committee

The PHILIPPINE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE is a  a private entity serving as the official National Olympic Committee of the Philippines and the umbrella organization of the various national sports associations.

National Sports Organizations (NSAs)

The VARIOUS NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, privately-organized entities and duly accredited members of the POC that are mandated to pursue programs and activities to further promote and develop their respective sports nationwide.

http://fcap.globalink.org/SEAG%20MOA2004.htm accessed June 17, 2007.

What are the different ice skating competitions in the Philippines?

What is the Philippine Olympic Festival?

The Philippine Olympic Festival, a weeklong series of events involving 28 sports slated from June 20 to 28. It is the first of its kind in the Philippines and its organizers hope that it will help promote the Philippines' national sports programs. Read on to discover what the 28 sports are and where each competition will be held.

Ice skating among 28 sports in Olympic Festival,  By GERALD PETER ARCE, Correspondent

There are three ice-skating rinks currently operating in the Philippines, plus another one that is rumoured to be in the offing.  All  rinks are located in metropolitan Manila.

Does the Philippines have a national figure skating team?

The Philippines' pending membership with the Ice Skating Union of Switzerland was, among other prevailing conditions, hinged upon the construction of an Olympic sized rink. Last 2006, officials from the regional office of the ISU visited the Philippines during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic size rink at Mall of Asia and the Philippines soon became an approved provisionary member of the ISU.

Last January, the Philippines sent its first team of figure skaters to the Asian Winter Olympics in ChangChun, China.  The members of this team were gathered from higher level recreational skaters that have long been trained under the Ice Skating Institute system. Local skaters to first taste the experience of competing in the singles division against the national teams of Asia  were Jerico Lim, Clarisse Roman and Ramina Palaca. Fil-American's Michael Novales and Gracielle Tan also competed for the Philippines during the Asian Winter Games.

L'esprit de corps was high. It was going to be the first time for the nation to participate in an ISU Skating championship. Yet, there was much apprehension on how the Filipino skater will fare during the championships given that each skater had only barely three months of training.  In all fairness, our skaters did their best and almost skated perfectly according to their program. However, our skaters' program point value was rather low as compared to the high point program value and the high power and incredible incredible free skating skills of our asian counterparts. 

There also was the first hand encounter with the new ISU judging system that was set in place after the 2002 Salt Lake City scandal involving Le Gougne and Gailhaguet.  

Changchun was a learning experience for our skaters, coaches, skating parents and the Philippine Skating Union. The clamour for better training opportunities and for more learning experiences have become louder after the awakening Changchun experience.

Just yesterday, August 12, 2007, the Philippine Skating Union launched to the public the first batch of single freestyle skaters that comprise the first official Philippine National Figure Skating Team during the opening ceremonies of the ISI Asia Skate ASia 2007 Recreational Skating Team Championships at Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines.

These skaters were pre-selected from a smaller group of ISU-like national skating competition champions and runners-up, including Lim-Palaca-Roman, the Changchun delegates.  This time, the PSU is preparing for better outcomes and has enjoined the services of a Pro from Canada. These skaters have been clocking in hours in the morning and evening,  edging away with their blades at the Olympic size rink at Mall of Asia.