ISU Ladies Figure Skating
Eligible Senior Short and Long Program Requirements
The elite women of figure skating have a lot more than their dresses to consider when planning a winning program.
The International Skating Union requires very specific skills to be demonstrated during tests and competitions.
A layback spin performed by a beautiful lady in a sparkling dress is an image that defines women’s figure skating. Such an element showcases balance and strength – the principle ingredients that make up successful skating routines.
Short Program
The lady’s short program, also referred to as the technical program, must be a maximum of two minutes and fifty seconds in length. It must include a double Axel, which is landed on one leg after two and a half revolutions in the air. Only a handful of elite female figure skaters can execute a triple Axel jump.
The next element, a triple solo jump, must have a connecting steps lead-in. A combo jump has to consist of a triple-double or a triple-triple, and the skater must not repeat either her solo jump or double Axel. This will encourage her to develop and maintain a wider repertoire of jumps.
Any combination spin is the next senior ladies element. Certain restrictions do apply. The combo spin cannot have a flying entry, and it must consist of only one change of foot during at least two changes of position held for a minimum of two revolutions each. It also must have a minimum of six revolutions on each foot. Another spin must be either a layback or a sideways leaning spin. It must be held for a maximum of eight revolutions.
The spiral sequence is often the most exciting part of a program. Ladies with a full split extension exhibit the ultimate in balance and control as the change edges while balancing in a sustained arabesque. The spiral step sequence needs to show at least three spiral positions and have at least one change of foot.
Lastly for the short program, senior ladies must demonstrate technical footwork in their step sequence. As far as spirals and step sequences go, Sasha Cohen is the undisputed queen. Her footwork is always in character and adds excitement to her routine. She connects with the audience during the step sequence by smiling and demonstrating the very joy of her art form. Her spirals are over-extended, full splits, even inverted. It takes hours of daily dedication to achieve that type of strength and flexibility.
Long Program (Free Skate)
The senior ladies free skate is four minutes long with a ten second grace period. To keep the focus on a well-balanced program, jumps are limited to a maximum of seven. One of them must be a double or triple Axel. As with the men’s requirements, female figure skaters can only repeat two triple or quadruple jumps, and these repetitions have to be placed in either a combo or a sequence. There can be up to three jump combos or sequences. Only one of the jump combos can contain three jumps; the others can have only two jumps.
Ladies may add to their choreography no more than four spins. She can change feet during all spins, and all of them can have a flying entry. In fact, at least one of them must have a flying entry. Spin combinations have to be held for ten revolutions with two in each position, while solo spins need to be held for at least six turns. At least one of the spins has to be a combo with a foot change, and one spin has to have only one position.
Of the two required step sequences in the ladies’ senior long program, one must be a spiral sequence with at least two sustained positions. The other has to be unique from the first, but it may also contain spiral elements where the leg is held at least hip high. Spectators might perceive beautiful spiral sequences to be a rest for the skater. On the contrary, spirals take such muscle control and balance that they are often as fatiguing as the other elements in a program.
Skaters can lose points if they omit required elements, and the new judging system allows for Grade of Execution points to be added or deducted from the base value of elements – dependant entirely on how well each skill is skated. Knowing the basic make-up of required figure skating elements can help you better understand the judging process as you watch the scores pop up on your TV screen this fall.
As your confidence builds, think about joining in on Fantasy Figure Skating or training to volunteer with your figure skating club and its competitions. You don’t even have to be able to skate to become an integral part of the sport at a local level. All it takes is a sharp eye and a love for the sport.
