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Like a ballet on ice, figure skating is one of the Winter Olympics' most graceful sports. It is also one of the most grueling.
The Rules of the Game
Figure skating is made up of four events: ladies' singles, men's singles, pairs and ice dancing. Combining athletic and artistic abilities, skaters in both the singles and pairs events must perform a short program and a long program known as a free skate. Each skater's routines are choreographed to music and scored by nine judges. In the short program, athletes are judged on required moves such as spins, footwork sequences and jumps. In the free skate routine, skaters can be original and select their own music and maneuvers. A well-balanced program is important because judges can take off points if there are too many or too few jumps.
The Olympic ice dancing event is like ballroom dancing on ice. Pairs of skaters must keep their steps in time with the music and maintain contact with each other, making it more difficult to do any lifts and jumps.
Ones to Watch
Michelle Kwan, a four-time World women's champion, is leading this year's quest for the gold in women's singles. However, Kwan finished third in Skate Canada, behind fellow 16-year old U.S. skater Sarah Hughes and Russian Irina Slutskaya. Kwan will again face Hughes and Slutskaya at this year's Winter Games.
The men to watch at Salt Lake City include Yevgeny Plushenko from Russia. He placed first at the 2001 World Championships, the European Championships, and the Grand Prix Final. The U.S. contender for gold will be Todd Eldredge. He placed third at the 2001 World Championships and second at the U.S. Championships.
