Figure skating facts
Each blade has two edges – inside and outside. Most skating moves are designed around circles so a skater will only be using one or the other. Only occasionally will the skater go "on the flat" – using both edges on one blade at the same time in order to travel in a straight line.
The Axel is a jump named after its inventor, the Norwegian Axel Paulsen. It is the only jump in figure skating that uses a forward take-off and a backward landing, meaning that a single jump is actually not one but one and a half rotations – which is why it is the most difficult jump to master. It can also be performed as a "double" and a "triple", ie two and a half or three and a half rotations.
Another common figure skating jump is the Salchow, again named after its inventor, the Swedish figure skater Ulrich Salchow. At world competition level, quadruple Salchow (four rotations) are now being seen.
The Flying Camel is a particular spin, requiring the skater to jump into it. The origins of the bizarre name are unknown – perhaps nobody wants to take responsibility for it.
The Spread Eagle involves the skater standing on both feet but with each one pointing in opposite directions so both outside edges of the blades are on the ice at the same time, taking the skater in a large curve around the ice. It should appear very pretty – but can look rather painful when done badly!
Most commonly done by ice dancers, the Mohawk is a relatively simple move from forward to backward with a change of foot. It is done either from an inside edge to an inside edge or an outside edge to an outside edge.
The idea of the Scratch Spin is to wind up as fast as possible into the ice, making deep scratches. It is usually done at the end of a routine to incite extra applause from the crowd.
The Death Spiral is performed by pair skating couples, hand in hand. The male skater pulls his partner around him in a circle while she leans backwards with her head perilously close to the ice – not one to do if you and your partner are not speaking!
Invented by Swiss World Champion Denise Biellman, the Biellman Spin involves standing on your left blade, taking your right blade in your right hand and pulling it behind you until it is over your head. Then lean back slightly until you can catch it in your left hand, too, and can pull it even higher. Difficult? Now do it while spinning...
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Monday 28 May 2012
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