Figure skating

Figure skating is a sport where individuals, pairs, or groups perform jumps, spins, and dance moves on ice while wearing figure skates. It made history as the first winter sport added to the Olympic Games, debuting at the 1908 London Olympics. The Olympic disciplines include men's singles, women's singles, pair skating, and ice dance; these four are also combined into a team event, which first appeared at the Winter Olympics in 2014. Non-Olympic disciplines consist of synchronized skating, Theater on Ice, and four skating. From intermediate through senior levels, skaters typically perform two programs—the short program and the free skate—which may include spins, jumps, moves in the field, lifts, throw jumps, death spirals, and other elements depending on the discipline.

Skaters compete at various levels, from beginner to Olympic-level senior, at local, regional, sectional, national, and international events. The International Skating Union (ISU) governs international judging and competitions, including the Winter Olympics, World Championships, World Junior Championships, European Championships, Four Continents Championships, the Grand Prix series (senior and junior), and the ISU Challenger Series. The sport also has a strong connection to show business. Major competitions often end with exhibition galas, where top skaters perform non-competitive programs. Many skaters, both during and after their competitive careers, also perform in ice shows that run during the competitive season and off-season.

In skating terminology, "professional" refers to competitive status, not skill level. Skaters competing at the highest international levels are not considered professionals; they are sometimes called amateurs, even if they earn money. Professional skaters include those who have lost ISU eligibility and those who perform only in shows. This group may include former Olympic and World champions who have retired from competition, as well as skaters with little or no international experience. Besides ice shows, professionals often compete in professional competitions held worldwide, each with its own format and rules. The term "figure skating" is English; in German, the sport is called *Eiskunstlauf* (meaning "Ice Art Run"), and in French, *patinage artistique* (meaning "artistic skating").

The most obvious difference from ice hockey skates is that figure skates have a set of large, jagged teeth called toe picks on the front of the blade. These are mainly used for jumping and should not be used for stroking or spins, as using them during a spin causes a loss of momentum or moves the skater off-center. Blades are mounted to the boot's sole and heel with screws. High-level skaters typically get professionally fitted for boots and blades at a reputable skate shop, and professionals sharpen blades to individual needs. Blades are about 4.7 millimeters (3/16 inch) thick. Viewed from the side, the blade is not flat but slightly curved, forming an arc with a radius of 180–220 centimeters (71–87 inches); this curve is called the rocker. The "sweet spot," where all spins are rotated, is usually near the blade's stanchion, below the ball of the foot. The blade is also hollow-ground, with a groove on the bottom creating two distinct edges: the inside edge (closest to the skater) and the outside edge (farthest from the skater). Skaters should always skate on only one edge; skating on both at once (a flat) can lower skating skills scores. Elite skaters' effortless power and glide come from efficient edge use to generate speed.

Skates for singles and pair skating have a toe pick on each blade's front, used mainly to launch the skater into the air for jumps. Ice dance blades have smaller toe picks than those in other disciplines. During a spin, skaters use the sweet spot, which is one of two rockers on the blade and its roundest portion, located just behind the toe pick near the blade's middle. The other rocker is the general curvature used when stroking or gliding. Ice dancers' blades are about an inch shorter in the rear than those in other disciplines, to accommodate intricate footwork and close partnering; their smaller toe picks reflect that they don't need large ones for jumping. Hard plastic skate guards protect blades when walking off ice, and soft blade covers called soakers absorb condensation and prevent rust when skates are not worn. In competition, skaters get three minutes to repair their skates. Boots and blades vary by discipline and ability: skaters performing advanced multi-rotational jumps need stiffer, higher boots for more support, while those working on single or double jumps need less support and may use less stiff boots. Ice dancers often prefer a lower-cut boot.