In competition Compulsory figures

ralph borghardt , gabriele seyfert examine print of loop figure @ 1964 east german championships.

pressure reduce weight of compulsory figures began when olympic games , other skating competitions began shown on television. figures not considered appealing or exciting television audiences. completion of figures , analysis judges last 8 hours @ world championships. in addition, skaters excelled @ compulsory figures not talented @ free skating, accumulated such large lead school figures won competitions overall. such results leave general viewers stunned because had watched free skating , had little or no knowledge of compulsory figures.

a reform undertaken put more emphasis on free skating. first step taken in 1968, when figures reduced 50% of total score. in 1973, number of figures reduced 6 three, , new segment, short program, added competitions. despite reduction, figures began @ 8 @ isu championships, such 1975 worlds , 1983 europeans. in 1983, skaters spend twice time practicing figures, 5 hours day, did practicing free skating.

from 1973 1975, weights of compulsory figures, short program, , free skating 40%, 20%, , 40%, respectively. 1976 1988, changed 30%, 20%, , 50%. in june 1988, proportions changed 20%, 30%, , 50% 1988–89 , 1989–90 seasons. in addition, isu member nations voted 27–4 eliminate compulsories entirely international competition after july 1990. less practice ice being available in europe meant european nations voted in favor of abolition. united states, canada, united kingdom, , new zealand voted retain figures.

opponents of figures said held talented skaters such janet lynn , midori ito, while supporters said instilled discipline , produced higher quality of basic skating technique. in 1980, isu president jacques favart stated figures waste of time , prevent ice skaters being more creative . less coaching , ice time required, hugh graham, president of u.s. figure skating, estimated skaters expenses reduced @ least 50% after abolition. in summer of 1997, u.s. figure skating voted end domestic competitions in figures after 1997–98 season.

compulsory figures no longer major competitive event , few competitive skaters have interest learn how them. adult recreational skaters, however, still find pleasure in control , mental stamina required master figures , ice skating institute (isi) still holds competitions , events require multiple levels of proficiency. compulsory figures remain part of artistic roller skating. inaugural world figure championship & figure festival held in august 2015 in lake placid, new york.