Figure Sk8ting at the 2010 Olympics!

Figure Skating was an Olympic Sport before the Winter Games had even occurred. Figure Skating is broken down into three different categories: First the Single Skaters, Pairs and Ice Dance. Singles skate is also broken down into three parts. The short program, the long program and the free skate. The free skate is where athletes show their level of skill, difficulty and creativity. This part of the single skate is worth the most. It is 2/3 of the final score. The Pairs Skate is with two people, it involves a short program and a free skate. The score is determined by the synchronization of the the couple. It also involves throws, spins, lifts and spirals. The ice dance is also in pairs but, It is more of a dance, it is compared to ballroom dance. The main difference between the Pairs dancing and Ice Dancing is that in the second it does not involve lifts or overhead tosses. It is mainly made up of rhythm and their unison in step.

Some of the key terms that are associated with this sport are: Lifts, they are when the male lifts his partner right over their head with their arms fully extended. Shadow Skating is when the pair do the exact same movement of each other. Triple Jump is where a skater does 3 spins in the air. A step sequence is steps that are in unison to the music and to your partner. A twist lift is where the woman is thrown in the air spins and then is caught by her partner.

Most Athletes train up to three hours a day, but it usually can differ depending on the type of skating the athlete does. The spring time is usually time for skaters to work on technique and other skills by themselves or with their partner if they have one. In April and May Choreographers are usually found to choreograph their routine to music. They practice and practice their routine so that not only do they know it in their minds but their muscles know it as well. Once they have their routine down they present it to a group of high trusted judges. This helps them see how much their performance is worth and what they need to improve on.

Jessica Dube` and Bryce Davidson will be competing in 2010 Olympics this year as a pair. Jessica will also be competing as a single. She was born in Quebec and starting skating when she was four years old. He was born in California USA but moved to Quebec as well. They just won silver at a competition in Ottawa and are hoping to place well in this years Olympics in their home country.