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Figure Skating ContributionsHow did Figure Skating get it's name?The name "Figure" Skating came from the practice of compulsory or school figures. In the late nineteenth century, competitions hinged primarily and the skater's ability to create these figures based on the figure 8. Compulsory figures remained a part of competiton until 1990. New skaters such as Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski, and Sarah Hughes came after this practice.Who created the International Style of Skating?American Jackson Haines, is credited with creating the form of figure skating that is popular today. Born in New York in 1840, he studied the arts, music, and dance and applied them to skating. The first to skate using the entire ice surface, bent knees, and musical accompaniment, his style was often disliked by the more Victorian sect. He won the National Championships in 1863 and 1864 before leaving his wife and children and emigrating to Europe. There he toured and became a respected superstar of skating. He died of pneumonia on June 23, 1875.Where did the Axel jump come from?The Axel jump (the skater is moving forward and then rotates one and a half revolutions) was introduced by Norwegian, Axel Paulsen, in 1882 at a Vienna competition. Originially a speed skater, he was also adept at figure skating and invented what is still one of today's most challenging jumps.How did the Salchow get it's name?The Salchow jump got it's name from it's inventor - Ulrich Salchow. This Sweden native invented the Salchow jump in 1910. He went on to win ten World Championships and the first ever Olympic Men's Skating Gold Medal in 1908.Who invented the Lutz jump?The Lutz jump was invented by Alois Lutz in 1913.When did female skaters start skating in short skirts? Among Sonja Henie's many contributions to figure skating, helping women transition from long hindering skirts to shorter skirts was one of the most important. Because she began skating at such a young age, she was not looked down upon for wearing short skirts. However, the many jumps included in her routines made a shorter skirt necessary even as she developed into a young woman.This page is a work in progress. There will be more facts to come..keep checking back. |