The Evolution of Figure Skating

Sophie Grosfield

New York City, USA

Photo by Natalya Karpeka on Unsplash

Figure skating’s origins date back to almost 5,000 years ago in Scandinavia, where blades made of the bones of large animals and ice were combined to mark the beginning of a truly dynamic sport. Nowadays, figure skating is a sport defined by rhythmic movement and performance. Yet originally figure skating was simply a mode of transportation during the winter season. The first change made to figure skating arose almost 800 years after it was invented, as the blades that were originally made from animal bones were replaced with iron. Iron’s ability to be sharpened is what enabled ice dancing to emerge, as these new blades could now carve figures into the ice and provide stability for easier motion. In the 20th century, the modern skate was finally invented: made from carbon steel coated with chrome, skaters now had the ability to demonstrate their skill in making clean round turns. When the final variation of these steel skates was created, figure skating became a competitive sport in which skaters were judged on the figures and shapes they could create on the ice. When competitions began, there were no requirements for experience or skillfulness in the sport. If a skater desired to compete, he or she would be able to without limitations. Today, there are several steps to make it to competition level, especially advanced competition level. First, one typically takes an introductory basic skills program to ensure one's basic skating abilities are up to par. Next, one would advance to a more intermediate level and start learning more advanced footwork and single jumps. Then, on the more advanced intermediate level one can learn to land the Axel jump, double loop jump and double flip jump. Then, of course, there is the very advanced level that includes the Olympic level, where most athletes devote their lives to figure skating and practice a rigorous training schedule in order to maintain a high degree of skill and athleticism. 

Because the advanced levels of figure skating are so rigorous, many have described the sport as toxic due to the intense pressure to achieve physical perfection, the high risk of injuries, and the expensive nature of the sport. In the modern era the toxicity of figure skating is made apparent in the media through films like “Blades of Glory” and “Spinning Out.” Specifically, the pressure to avoid injury in this dangerous sport is something many professional figure skaters face. Skater Polina Edmonds states that “Everybody feels like they don’t have enough time to recover and come back to the same form, if not the same, even better.” Many skaters who do unfortunately get injured continue to push themselves and not accept their injury to avoid damaging their skating career. The International Skating Union has already made an effort to focus on mental health support for athletes, promote inclusivity, and address unjust coaching practices to create a more positive environment. Yet there is still so much more to be accomplished: many hope that in the coming years the ISU will continue to screen their athletes and coaches, support injured athletes, and create a more positive environment where skaters, coaches and administrators can support each other.