While people have been ice skating for centuries, figure skating in its current form originated in the mid-19th century. A Treatise on Skating (1772) by Englishman Robert Jones, is the first known account of figure skating. Competitions were then held in the "English style" of skating, which was stiff and formal and bears little resemblance to modern figure skating. American skater Jackson Haines, considered the "father of modern figure skating", introduced a new style of skating in the mid-1860s. This style, which incorporated free and expressive techniques, became known as the "international style." Although popular in Europe, Haines' style of skating was not widely adopted in the United States until long after his death.

ROBERT JONES

JACKSON HAINES

The term "professional" in skating refers not to skill level but competitive status. Figure skaters competing at the highest levels of international competition are not "professional" skaters. They are sometimes referred to as amateurs, though some earn money. Professional skaters include former Olympic and World champions who have ended their competitive career as well as skaters with little or no international competitive experience.

The International Skating Union (ISU) is the governing body for international competitions in figure skating, including the World Championships and the figure skating events at the Winter Olympic Games. Medals are awarded for overall results. The standard medal colors are gold for first place, silver for second, and bronze for third place. U.S. Figure Skating also awards pewter medals for fourth-place finishers in national events. At the World, European, Four Continents, and World Junior Championships, the ISU also awards small medals for segment results (short and free program).

For competitive programs, figure skaters were once restricted to instrumental music, including vocal music if it contained no lyrics or words. Beginning in the 1997–98 season, the International Skating Union decided to allow lyrics or words in ice dancing.

Skaters may use professional music editors so that their music meets requirements. Ice dancers are required to skate to music that has a definite beat or rhythm. Singles and pair skaters more often skate to the melody and phrasing of their music. For long programs, figure skaters generally search for music with different moods and tempos

Every person should practice physical exercises to keep fit and healthy. I’m sure many people in the world would agree that figure-skating is the most interesting sport to watch. Each time it is on TV, I watch it with pleasure. I think that people, who seriously dedicate their lives to figure-skating, are heroes. This sport requires hours of training each day, as well as lots of effort and commitment. It isn’t easy to find a good coach, but this factor is very important. This sport is also rather costly. It requires certain material expenses on equipment. I’ve noticed that Russian athletes are really good at figure-skating.

 My favourite sports person is Irina Slutskaya. In my opinion, she is the best Russian skater. Even though she had many injuries, while doing this sport, she didn’t quit. Instead, she continued working hard to gain serious achievements. As a result, she became a two-time World champion. Today, there are several kinds of figure-skating, including freestyle, synchronized team skating, pairs. In my opinion, this sport is the perfect blend of beauty and power.

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