Ice skating is popular both as a sport and a leisure pastime. It is enjoyed by spectators and skaters at any time of year. Here are some of the forms that it takes.
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Ice Skating as a SportAs a sport, there are several disciplines:
Figure Skating Although Ice Dancing and Pairs Skating are types of figure skating, Individual Figure Skating or Free Skating is for solo skaters, male or female. It consists of jumps, turns and spins, all done with graceful flowing movements.
Jumps
Spins
Competition Pairs Skating This event is similar to 'solo' figure skating, except that it is done in pairs. Most competitors are already good senior free skaters.
Jumps and Spins
Competition Ice Dancing Ice dance is about precision, smoothness and control. Skaters must keep in perfect time with the music and each other. There are no jumps and none of the dramatic overhead lifts allowed in pair skating. Instead, an ice dance is composed of flowing movements and professional dancers work hard to improve the technical difficulty and originality of their routines. The masters of ice dance are of course Torvill and Dean, who continue to amaze and enthral audiences with their ice shows. [See Information: Links: Torvill and Dean].
Competition Precision Team Skating Precision Team Skating, originating from Michigan in 1956, is a new discipline in the sport of ice-skating. It is formation dancing on ice for mixed teams of 12 to 24. Teams perform various movements such as the block, circle, straight line, wheel and an intersection. In competition there are are two programmes: short and long. In the short programme, teams perform set movements and in the long programme, they are free to design their own routine. Judges sit above the ice surface so that they can see the patterns as they are performed. The first World Championships are scheduled for 1998. Speed Skating Speed skating is probably the oldest competitive form of ice skating with a history dating back to the 17th century. Races are held over various distances. In top competitions skaters don't race against each other. Instead, their individual performances are timed. Those with the best times are declared first, second and third respectively. Ice Hockey Ice Hockey is an action-packed game and is one of the fastest of all sports. With the development of the new Superleague in the UK, it is increasingly popular as a spectator sport throughout the country. As well as the Superleague, there are senior men's and ladies' leagues and junior leagues. (See Sporting Year Book: Ice Hockey on HomeCampus) The game is played on an oval rink enclosed by a board wall. It is divided into three 20-minute periods. Six players from each team are allowed on the ice at any one time during the game but several substitutions are allowed.
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Ice ShowsSince the mid-1900s, ice-skating has grown as a spectator sport. The shows are becoming more extravagant with large casts of skaters and stunning costumes. The Disney on Ice show has been a popular attraction with families for several years. More recently, top skaters such as Torvill and Dean are presenting their own ice shows with their fellow skaters.
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Skating for FunIf you want to try skating for yourself, go along to your local ice rink for an open skating session. They last for 2 - 3 hours and each session usually costs around £2. There is a small, extra charge for skate hire. It is an inexpensive way to have fun, keep fit and meet new friends. If you are interested in taking lessons - check out Skates and Rinks for some advice.
Never attempt to skate (or walk) on a frozen pond. The ice is of an uneven thickness and could easily crack and break under your weight. Many serious accidents occur when people ignore this warning.[See On the Ice: Safety]
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