Pairs figure skating is a discipline of figure skating. A couple consisting of a man and a woman work together to perform various movements to music that has been chosen in advance. A performance is called a program. Couples are often matched by coaches for styles that work well together. A pairs couple may skate together for years before attempting competition on the senior level. Although competitors may have different costumes and skate to different musical choices most competitive programs have certain specific elements in common.
Each senior level competition begins with a short program and finishes with a long program.
The short program is called a short program because it is shorter in duration than the long program. During the short program pairs skaters perform certain required moves. Moves typically include spins, lifts and jumps. The short program accounts for roughly a third of the final score.
The short program and long program are usually performed on different days.
The long program is similar in composition to the short program but it counts for two thirds of the final score and typically runs a third longer. Skaters wear different costumes than they did during the short program and skate to different music.
Lifts
One of the most notable elements of any pairs program is the use of lifts. A lift takes place when a man holds a woman in the air and continues to skate as he does so. During her time in the air the female partner may switch positions. She may split her legs and then lean back or even place the blades of her skates on the male skater’s shoulder. The male partner must have intense concentration during this time. He is expected to continue to move fast during the entire duration of the lift as well as keep his partner aloft. He may switch handholds while the lift takes or switch from holding his partner by hands to holding her by the abdomen.
Pairs Spins
Another notable element of pairs figure skating are spins. During a pairs spin each partner will typically skate on one leg and then shift positions as the spin continues. Skaters aim to remain in unison with each other. A man should ideally spin as fast or as slowly as his partner does. A woman should mirror her partner’s positions during the spin. If her left leg is out and to the right during the second part of the spin the male partner’s position should be in the same position.
Throws
A throw is an element unique to pairs skating. A throw is essentially an assisted jump. The throw starts with the couple preparing for a jump. As the woman starts the jump the man throws her into air. She will typically spin for least two or three times and then land backwards. Pairs skaters aim for throws that are high in the air and cover a long distance across the ice.
Side by Side Jumps
Many pairs figure skaters perform individual jumps as well. Skaters leap into the air, complete two or three revolutions and land on the blades of their skates. Pairs figure skates aim to complete jumps in unison. Judges watch to see how high each skater jumped as well as how closely they jumped together. Learning to time jumps so that each skater jumps at precisely the same moment can be very difficult.
Pairs figure skating is a hard sport that requires participants to have a sense of balance, an understanding of musicality and mastery of basic skating skills. Spectators can merely sit back and watch in awe as skaters put on a thrilling show for all observers.
Stacy Herlihy - Stacy Mintzer Herlihy is a freelance writer based in New Jersey. When not writing for professional publications, she watches her two ...
