Disciplines

While in Single Skating male and female skaters compete individually in Pairs and Ice Dance there are always a couple. This is how you separate these two disciplines from each other.

Pair Skating

As in the Single Skating Pairs also execute the solo jumps and spins (side by side). However the most recognized elements in Pair Skating are lifts, death spirals, twist lifts, pair spins and throw jumps.

The key to Pair Skating is exact timing and unison. Whether the partners are together or apart, their movements should be synchronized with matching body lines, gestures and footwork.

Ice Dance

Unlike Pair Skating, which features overhead lifts and jumps, Ice Dance is based on the different aspects of dance. The emphasis in Ice Dance is on rhythm, interpretation of the music and precise steps. Its beauty lies in its limitless creativity, choreography, and its theatrical and innovative aspects. Lifts with different lengths and types, step sequences, dance spin and twizzles are movements in Ice Dance.

The Programs

The skaters and couples execute a Short Program and Free Skating. 24 Ladies, 24 Men, 16 Pairs, and 20 Ice Dance couples qualify for the Free Skating after the Short Program. In Ice Dance the programmes are called Short Dance and Free Dance.

The Short Program which can be no longer than 2 min and 50 seconds, is skated first and should contain a certain amount of prescribed elements.

The Free Skating is 4 minutes (+/- 10 seconds) for Ladies and Ice Dancers and 4 minutes and 30 seconds (+/- 10 seconds) for Men and Pairs.

How many participants may enter per contry?

Figure skaters in four disciplines (men, ladies, pairs, and ice dance) are entered into the championships by country. Due to the ISU technical scores each country’s skating association may enter one skater or a couple in each event. However, some countries are permitted to enter two or three participants if their skaters performed well enough at the previous year’s world championships.