Sonja Henie – First ice skating celebrity

Norwegian Sonja Henie is a figure skating legend who is also considered the first ice skating celebrity. She dared to try the same jumps as the men and won gold at three different Olympics. She also became one of the most popular movie stars in Hollywood.

At the age of fourteen, Henie won the first of an unprecedented ten World Figure Skating Championships in 1927, and her first Olympic gold medal the following year. She went on to become a three-time Olympic Champion (1928, 1932, 1936), a ten-time World Champion (1927-1936) and a six-time European Champion (1931-1936).

Henie is credited with being the first figure skater to adopt the short skirt costume in figure skating, and make use of dance choreography. Her innovative skating techniques and glamour transformed the sport permanently and confirmed its acceptance as a legitimate sport in the Winter Olympics.

This video shows one of Sonja Henie’s ice show performances.

Related Posts:
Figure Skating A-Z
Winter Olympics 101: Skating

Figure Skating A-Z

Swizzles, axels and camels– what does it all mean? Keep reading to learn to speak like an ice skater.

Axel
A figure skating jump with a forward take-off. It is named after the Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen who first performed the jump in 1882.

Besti Squat
A spread eagle in a squating position with the torso held upright; named for Natalia Bestemianova.

Butterfly Jump
A flying spin with a two-foot takeoff. The body goes almost parallel to the ice in the air, with a scissoring leg motion.

Camel
Also known in Europe as a parallel spin; one of the three basic figure skating spins, along with the sit spin and upright spin. The basic camel spin position is defined as one in which the free leg is extended backwards with the knee held above hip level.

Charlotte Spiral
A spiral position in which the torso is bent down towards the skating leg, with the free leg held in a 180 degree vertical split position. Also known as a candlestick spiral.

Choctaw
A turn from forward to backward (or backward to forward) from one foot to the other in which the curve of the exit edge is in the opposite direction to the curve of the entry edge. The change of foot is from outside edge to inside edge or from inside edge to outside edge.

Element
An identifiable component of a program. Includes spins, spirals, jumps, footwork, lifts, etc.

Death Spiral
An element in pair skating in which the woman skates on a deep edge with her body close to the ice and skates in a circle around the man, who is in a low pivot position and holding her by the arm.

Flip Jump
A toe-pick-assisted jump taken off from the back inside edge of one foot and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.

Glide
A glide in figure skating is a one or two footed movement across the ice, either forward or backward.

Grand Prix
A series of six international invitational events that build to the Grand Prix Final.

Lobes
A lobe is a pattern made on the ice by an edge or steps, forming an arc of a circle that starts and finishes on an axis. In other words it is pattern that is a half circle.

Loop Jump
A jump in which the skater takes off from the back outside edge of the skating foot, turns one rotation in the air and lands on the back outside edge of the take-off foot. Variations: double loop, triple loop, 1/2 loop

Lunge
Move done with knee bent and free leg extended

Lutz
A figure skating jump, named after Alois Lutz, an Austrian skater who performed it in 1913. It is a toepick-assisted jump with an entrance from a back outside edge and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.

Mohawk
A turn performed from forward to backward with a change of foot.

Program
Skating elements set to music performed by a skater in a defined length of time. There are usually two programs for pairs and single skaters and three for ice dancers in ISU competitions.

Rocker
A turn made on one foot from a forward to backward (or backward to forward) edge maintaining the same character, i.e., outside to inside or inside to outside.

Quality
Quality as all about putting together the basics of power, edge control, extension, and speed.

Quadruple Jump
A jump with four full rotations (1440 degrees) in the air. The only quadruple jumps to have been completed in competition are the toe loop and salchow by men, and just the salchow for ladies. In a quadruple Axel, the skater would have done 4.5 revolutions (1620 degrees)

Salchow
A figure skating jump with a takeoff from a back inside edge and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot after one or more rotations in the air; invented by the Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow in 1909.

Scratch Spin
A spin done standing straight up with legs crossed

Spiral
An edge skated with the free leg extended at or above hip level. Spirals are a required element for ladies’ and pairs competitions.

Step-Out
When a skater either under- or over-rotates a jump so that he or she does not land cleanly and must put the free leg down prematurely.

Stroking
Using the edges of the skates to push off and gain speed.

Swizzle
A scissor-like skating move in which the skates don’t leave the ice.

Toe Loop
A toe-pick-assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same back outside edge.

Toe Pick
The teeth at the front of a skate blade that assists a skater in jumps and spins.

Twizzle
A quick multi-rotational turn on one foot while moving forwards or backwards

Vancouver 101: Skating

Figure skating as an Olympic sport precedes the introduction of the Winter Games. It first appeared in 1908 at the London Summer Games featuring events for singles and pairs. Ice Dancing did not come onto the Olympic program until 1976 at the Innsbruck Games, Austria.

A panel of nine International Skating Union (ISU) judges measure the quality of the performance. Before each event a private draw is done to determine which judges scores will form part of the overall score (to avoid bias scores only seven of the nine scores are

Singles: Skaters must perform a short (maximum 2 minutes 50 seconds) and a long (4.5 mins for men 4 mins for women) including required steps, jumps, spins and combinations. Free-skating (worth two-thirds of an athlete’s overall score) requires the skater to show creativity, individuality and technical difficulty.

Pairs: this discipline involves the same format as Singles only the male and female athlete must work in unison. The routine can be a maximum of 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Aside from performing required steps, jumps, spins and combinations, partners also incorporate lifts, throws and synchronized jumps.

Ice Dancing: made up of three performances – a compulsory dance (prescribed moves), an original and a free. There are a certain number of lifts, spins and sequences that must be included in the latter two performances.
In Ice Dance, unlike Pairs, partners remain in contact throughout most of the routine. It does not include overhead lifts and jumps. YouTube: Watch Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean win gold in Sarajevo, 1984.

Reigning Olympic Champions:
Men’s singles: Evgeni Plushenko (Rus)
Women’s singles: Shizuka Arakawa (Jap)
Pair skating: Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin (Rus)
Ice dancing: Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov (Rus)

Athletes to Watch in Vancouver:
The balance of power in figure skating has undergone a seismic shift over the last four years with skaters from Asia dominating the women’s competition. No U.S. woman has been on the world podium since 2006 and, for only the second time since 1924, the Americans will have just two women at the Olympics.

South Korea’s Kim Yu-na is the reigning world champion. Japan’s Mao Asada won the title the year before. Kim has won three of the last four Grand Prix finals. Asada took home the fourth title.

This rivalry has been going on since the figure skaters were juniors. Although Kim has dominated this season while Asada has struggled, there’s little doubt the two will be at the center of the spotlight at the Vancouver Olympics just as gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson brought their two-woman show to the Summer Games in Beijing.

Although Sasha Cohen, Irina Slutskaya and Sarah Hughes were all considered contenders for figure skating gold, you really have to go back to Tara Lipinksi and Michelle Kwan in ‘98 for the last time there were two skaters clearly ahead of the pack.

Kim may seem like  the undisputed leader of the pack now. She has just two losses in two-plus seasons (the 2009 Grand Prix final and ‘08 worlds), and opened this year by blowing away Asada – and everyone else – by 35 points at Trophee Eric Bompard.

Asada actually fell behind countrywoman Miki Ando, who was second to Kim at last month’s Grand Prix final, after a tough Grand Prix season. Asada didn’t even qualify for the Grand Prix final after finishing a distant fifth at the Rostelecom Cup. But Asada appears to have gotten her mojo back, winning the Japanese nationals in commanding fashion.

Unlike Asada and Kim, Liukin and Johnson were teammates. Though they trained at different gyms, they saw each other every month at national team training camps and they had first-hand looks at everything the other gymnast was doing.

The two combined to lead the U.S. women to the silver medal, then had to turn their attention to the individual competition. Not exactly easy when your main rival is also your friend – not to mention your roommate in the Olympic village.

But gymnastics and skating aren’t like skiing or swimming or track. There is no head-to-head competition, no clock to race. Asada and Kim will know the other is there – they’ll only be reminded a few thousand times – but  said there’s only one person each woman can worry about: herself.

As always, the figure skating competition should be one of the highlights of the Winter Games. Mark your calendars now.

Schedule:
Feb. 14: Figure Skating – Pairs Short Program
Feb. 15: Figure Skating – Pairs Free Skating
Feb. 16: Figure Skating – Men Short Program
Feb. 18: Figure Skating – Men Free Skating
Feb. 19: Figure Skating – Ice Dance – Compulsory Dance
Feb. 21: Figure Skating – Ice Dance – Original Dance
Feb. 22: Figure Skating – Ice Dance – Free Dance
Feb. 23: Figure Skating – Ladies Short Program
Feb. 25: Figure Skating – Ladies Free Skating
Feb. 27: Figure Skating – Exhibition Gala

Related Posts:

Figure Skating A-Z
Congrats to new grad Michelle Kwan
3A – Ladies Triple Axel
US Figure Skating Championships 2009

NBC to air Skating & Gymnastics Show Jan. 10

The Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular was filmed and presented live at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center back in October and the show will be broadcast on NBC, Sunday, Jan. 10 from 4-6 p.m. (check local listings).

Olympic champion Nastia Liukin celebrated her 20th birthday during the show’s taping and producer Steve Disson hired a DJ and threw a party for Nastia at the hotel after the show. “I was so happy to be able to spend [my birthday] with some of my really great friends!” Nastia wrote on her website.

Shawn Johnson is also part of the all-star cast, which includes Ivan Ivankov, Raj Bhavsar, Courtney Kupets, Samantha Peszek, Paul and Morgan Hamm, and acro Mixed Pair extraordinaire Arthur Davisand Shenea Booth.

The skating cast features Michael Weiss — whose father, Greg Weiss, was a member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic gymnastics team — Todd Eldredge, Elvis Stojko and Emily Hughes among others.

Actress-singer Ashley Tisdale performs “Crank It Up” live for the show’s opening.

Announcing the show are Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci, Peggy Fleming and Nastia.

Although the sports barely resemble each other, figure skating and gymnastics share a common bond. They both combine art and athleticism, are subjective and have provided some of the most iconic moments of the Olympics.  And, women generally command the majority of attention.

They’re also glamour events, sports people watch and often find themselves talking about the next day. The fact that there’s usually a big-name rivalry to spice things up — real or imagined, friendly or icy — only adds to the fun.

So this could be a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon – especially if it’s as cold and snowy as it’s been in most parts of the country. Happy weekend!

Michelle Kwan skates at Ice All Stars 2009

Michelle Kwan brought down the house with her two numbers at the  Samsung Anycall-Hauzen Ice All Stars 2009 in Korea Friday night.  It was her first time skating in front of an audience in three years.

Kwan skated two exhibition programs, including one to “Winter Song” by Sarah Bareilles with Ingrid Michaelson.
Enjoy!

Congrats to new grad Michelle Kwan

Michelle Kwan is the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history having won nine U.S. championships, five World Championships, and two Olympic medals.

With her focus and dedication, it’s no surprise she’s a good student as well. Kwan attended Soleado Elementary School in Palos Verdes, California, but left public school to be homeschooled starting at the age of 13. After graduation from Rim of the World High School in 1998 (near the Lake Arrowhead ice rink where she trained), she attended UCLA for one year. In the fall of 2006 she transferred to the University of Denver to major in political science and minor in international studies.

In November 2006, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice named Michelle the first American public diplomacy envoy. Michelle travels around the world with State Department officials, visiting schools, clubs and community groups to speak about leadership and to engage her international peers in conversations about social and educational issues.

Michelle recently returned from the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, where she and Rice represented the U.S. at the closing ceremonies.

According to DU, Kwan finished her studies mid-year but will be collecting her diploma this Saturday. Like many other colleges, the school has only one commencement ceremony per year. The University’s Undergraduate Commencement is scheduled for June 6, 2009, at 10 a.m.

Congratulations Michelle!

Wishing you continued success and lots of exciting opportunities in your future. If you run for president some day, I’ll vote for you.

Marketing sports stars: men vs. women

With the World Figure Skating Championships taking place in Los Angeles right now, it’s interesting to note that skating is one sport where the ladies outperform the men when it comes to media and marketing perks.

So what exactly makes a sports star marketable? While success and a charismatic personality is important, it does not guarantee marketability off the playing field. Oftentimes it’s the playing field itself that dictates an athlete’s marketability.

Even the most prolific men’s figure skaters do not receive the same attention as the top female skaters. Just yesterday, Evan Lysecek became the first American in 13 years to win the World Figure Skating Championship. Despite his brilliant on-ice achievements, don’t expect him to appear as a box of Wheaties anytime soon.

Men’s figure skating (like men’s gymnastics) lacks a broad appeal to the general public. I’m guessing most of you probably don’t know who Lysacek is, let alone about his accomplishment at the Worlds.

Female skaters and gymnasts, on the other hand, outshine their male counterparts time after time. Kristi Yamaguchi, for example, has enjoyed several endorsement deals throughout the years, including General Motors, All State Insurance, Heinz Smart One’s and her most recent campaign, OPI nail polish.

After winning one Gold and two Silver medals in the 2008 Olympics, gymnast Shawn Johnson has gone on to appear in ads for well-known companies such as McDonalds, Coca-Cola, CoverGirl and Secret deodorant. And, she reportedly makes a nice income as a current competitor on Dancing with the Stars. Nastia Liukin has had similar marketing success. As one of the most widely-covered and publicized sports in the Summer Olympics, women gymnasts resonate with women 25-54.

Until men’s figure skating (and other sports like it) start to have more media coverage and a wider appeal, male superstars will not see marketing dollars come their way. Where have we heard that before?

(source: First Call)

Happy Anniversary, Tonya and Nancy

ESPN’s Sports Century video includes the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan figure skating incident as one of its most memorable sports moments of the 20th century.

Fifteen years ago,  on Feb. 23, 1994, the Harding-Kerrigan Olympic showdown on NBC caused nearly half of all television viewers to glue their eyes to their sets to watch the saga. It was the highest rated television program of the past quarter-century and it’s still the sixth highest-rated show in history.

It is not just Olympic historians who look back on that date for its unprecedented impact. Television shows (Seinfeld, The Simpsons), stage shows (Tonya & Nancy, The Rock Opera), songs (Tonya Twirls), have all been influenced by that evening’s women’s figure-skating short program in Lillehammer, Norway.

At the time (and to this day) the story was over-the-top and depressingly sad. Harding — a hardscrabble girl from Oregon, proud of her blue-collar skills as drag-racer and mechanic — burst onto the skating scene like some early-day slumdog millionaire. Living in a trailer park, Harding never wore the silver spoon of her skating peers but she was incredibly talented – only the second woman in the world and the first American woman to land a triple Axel. Streetwise and tough, she was an unlikely U.S. champion in 1991 and fourth-place finisher in the ‘92 Olympics.

Kerrigan –  elegant and highly sought for endorsements — was third in the ‘92 Olympics and had won the U.S. title in ‘93. She arrived at the ‘94 Olympic trials an obstacle in Harding’s path. In a plan hatched with her ex-husband, a Harding henchman jumped Kerrigan at practice and delivered a whack to her knee that took her out of the competition.

U.S. figure skating officials voted Kerrigan onto the Olympic team, anyway, then considered disciplinary action against Harding, who reponded with the threat of a $25 million lawsuit. Both backed down days before the Games, but the melodrama continued.

Harding arrived in Norway out of shape, and immediately crashed out of medal contention by slipping to 10th place after the short program, while Kerrigan held first place going into the long-program final.

During the long-program climax,  Harding quit a minute into her routine but begged the judges for a Mulligan because her skate lace had broken. She exited in eighth place while Russia’s Oksana Bauil, via a controversial 5-4 judges’ decision, edged Kerrigan for the gold.

Silver medalalist Kerrigan married her agent and is the mother of two boys and a girl. She appears in skating shows and acts as a skating commentator.

Harding? Always in trouble. Since the Kerrigan attacks, Harding has been regularly in the news, throwing hubcaps at boyfriends, being cited for drunk driving, serving time for tax evasion and appearing on Celebrity Boxing.

One of the worst train wrecks in sporting history? Probably. An anniversary worth celebrating? Not really.  But only something as weirdly true and impossibly real as the Harding-Kerrigan drama could remain newsworthy for 15 long years.

US Figure Skating Championships

The US Figure Skating Championships are coming to Cleveland next week. The competition, held annually since 1914, is the most prestigious event in US figure skating and draws around 250 skaters in three classes: Novice, Junior, and Senior competing in dance, pairs, mens, and women’s events.

The US Figure Skating Championships are a great place to get an early look at up-and-coming champions as well as see who will be competing in Vancouver next February. Contenders include some of the top skaters in the country including Rachael Flatt, Emily Hughes, Kimmie Meissner, Mira Nagasu and Caroline Zhang. 

Can’t wait for the event? Check out rehearsals for the opening ceremonies featuring 55 of the top skaters in the Cleveland area.

U.S. Figure Skating Championships rehearses their Cleveland opening ceremony

TV: Skating Gymnastics Spectacular & new ABC Superstars

Nastia Liukin, who dazzled American audiences with her near-flawless routines to capture the all-around gymnastics gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, headlines the Progressive Presents Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular, which will be broadcast nationally on NBC on Jan. 18, 2009, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. EST (check local listings). The show was recorded Dec. 23, 2008, in The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, S.D.

Liukin, still glittering from her golden night in Beijing, performs in this event, along with newly crowned silver medalist and 2007 world champion Shawn Johnson and American national team gymnasts Alicia Sacramone and  Samantha Peszek.

Actress and singer/songwriter Raven Symone (That’s So Raven, Cheetah Girls) provides musical entertainment for the special show.

The cast of figure skaters is equally decorated and includes 2008 junior world silver medalist Caroline Zhang, four-time Canadian champion Joannie Rochette, world junior champion and U.S. silver medalist Rachael Flatt, and Olympic silver medalist Tanith Belbin.

This grand opening event is hosted by 1968 Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming, two-time Olympic gold medalist Bart Conner and nine-time Olympic medalist Nadia Comaneci.

What else is on tap for the tube?

According to Variety, ABC just announced it has ordered a celebrity-themed revival of Superstars, an all-around sports competition that featured famous athletes competing in different sporting events to determine the best athlete in the world.

Superstars originally premiered as part of ABC’s Wide World of Sports and has aired in several forms since 1973.

ABC’s revival of the series will pair eight celebrities with a professional athlete before the teams compete against each other in various sporting events including swimming, biking, running, kayaking and other head-to-head athletic challenges.

Each week a team will be eliminated until one team is ultimately crowned the winner.

Let’s hope some female athletes are cast in the new show, which is scheduled to air this summer.  Stay tuned for updates.

Next Page »