Figure Skating is a sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice.
Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level (senior), and at local, national, and international competitions.
The International Skating Union (ISU) regulates international figure skating judging and competitions.
Figure skating is an official event in the Winter Olympic Games.
Olympic sports in figure skating comprise the following disciplines:
Singlescompetition for men and ladies, (wherein skaters perform jumps, spins, step sequences, spirals and other elements in their programs).
Pair skatingteams consist of a woman and a man. Pairs perform singles elements in unison as well as pair-specific elements such as throw jumps, in which the man ‘throws’ the woman into a jump; lifts, in which a woman is held above the man’s head in one of various grips and positions; pair spins, in which both skaters spin together about a common axis; death spirals, and other elements.
Ice dancingis again for couples consisting of a woman and a man skating together. Ice dance differs from pairs in focusing on intricate footwork performed in close dance holds, in time with the music. Ice dance lifts must not go above the shoulder