Which skater in the last 20 years would've been best at comp figures?

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

When I think of figures I just always think those with the best footwork would probably be the most comfortable doing them. In that case may I suggest Daisuke Takahashi and Dennis Ten?

I don't think Ten would have been particularly great at figures. His edges aren't as deep as some of the other skaters out there. Takahashi, yes though.

I'd probably definitely say Chan, maybe Kozuka and Buttle. Kim has solid edges into her jumps and good speed so I could picture her being good at figures. Kostner has lovely edges but I agree with others that I don't know if she would have the concentration for them - she is certainly able to generate speed easily though.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Yeah, Takahashi was my first thought because of his explosive StSeq's that still displayed absolute control over his body while executing very difficult steps. Denis came to mind not because of his edges but because of the great carriage of his body while executing his steps. Often slow and purposeful but his steps/choreo just seem rooted in the basics so I guess that's why I thought of him.

 

[dorispulaski]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_figures

A figures competition would probably have six to 12 figures competed at an event. Figures are chosen randomly from a group announced for the year.

So a person would have to have the kind of nerves that allow skating a figure and then waiting for everyone else to skate it, and then repeating that cycle five more times.

That's why I say, "Nerves of steel is an absolute requirement."

For those who haven't seen figures competed, they are not just judged by the ability to skate the same trace three times. The figure is not painted on the ice, like in roller skating. The skater had to carve the initial trace by eye, circles perfectly round, with a straight axis. The size of the circles has to be right, too.

A good eye and sense of spatial relations is required.



ISI still runs figures competitions.

The FIGURES 1-10

Regular figures are based on the original “school” figure eights. Skaters perform a required figure patterns 3 times on each foot. Judging is based on the size & shape of the circles, cleanliness of edges & pattern. All skaters must pass the required figure test to compete in these events.

Refer to the 2014 ISI Handbook for description of Creative Figure 1-10 and Free Figure 1-10 events.

FIGURE SELECTIONS FOR 2015 NATIONAL EVENTS

Figure 1 Forward Outside Eight
Figure 2 Backward Outside Eight
Figure 3 Backward Inside Eight
Figure 4 Forward Outside Loop
Figure 5 Left Forward Inside Bracket
Figure 6 LFO Change Loop
Figure 7 LFO Paragraph Three
Figure 8 LFO Rocker
Figure 9 LBO Paragraph Double Three
Figure 10 The Flower

- See more at: http://www.skateisi.com/site/sub.cfm?content=events_national_event_descriptions#sthash.Y8IhDxfY.dpuf

The ISI also holds creative figures competitions, such as those won by Gillis Grafstrom back in the day.

 

[noskates]

Patrick. Without a doubt. Although I think Michelle Kwan could have excelled at whatever she tried.

 

[lavender]

Patrick Chan
Michelle Kwan
Kozuka
Shizuka Arakawa
Lambiel
Buttle
Yuka Sato (honorable mention)..she missed the list by one year

Jeremy Abbott's blade is lovely and the deep glide he would get would be amazing if only he had the nerves.

 

[Mafke]

Yuka Sato (honorable mention)..she missed the list by one year

IIRC Sato won the figures section when she won jr worlds.

 

[georgia]

yuka Sato

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

This 9 minute video is worth the watch if you are interested in Compulsory Figures and you like Scott Hamilton.

http://youtu.be/jU9Hy1upUr0

 

[sunnystars]

not familiar with figures at all but maybe han and kiira?

 

[mskater93]

For skaters that NEVER competed with figures as part of their structure at the World level:

Kwan had to pass her 4th figure test in order to compete at the Junior level when she did. By all accounts, her figures were very good.
Chan would have been good at figures
Kim would have been good
Takahashi for sure
Asada probably would have had impeccable tracing
Rochette probably would have had "good enough" figures to stay near the top

Soem skaters who were not known to be strong mentally with good figures: Trenary,

FYI: the figures portion of the competition was typically two or three figures chosen from a larger group of figures announced for the year (80s/90s). You would guarantee one loop pattern would be chosen to be skated at the Jr or Sr level. Figure selection and starting foot would be announced at the draw (starting foot could be a deciding factor, escpecially on sepentines or paragraph figures). For non-paragraph figures, the expectations were three tracings. For paragraph figures, it was 2 tracings per foot.

 

[iceberg]

What about Josh Farris? Quoted by both BESP and CBC as John Curry embodiment. He for me stands out above all others in terms of figures. Or else say, on a league of his own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm5ktLwMt4s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3qBp4alBIE

 

[Violet Bliss]

Patrick Chan skated Yesterday at the 2010 Olympic Gala to pay tribute to his late coach Mr. Colson. It included real figure skating, called a "leg burner" by David Pelletier.

For me the coolest part was how the Belief balloon drifted down toward where Patrick ended the program so he just grabbed it. Nice message from Mr. Colson.

eta. Artistic Skating is the more common name in languages other than English. Figure skating is an outdated misnomer these days.

 

[StitchMonkey]

I just want to say I really really want to see this happen. It would be so fun to see today's skaters being made to do figures, seeing what they think of it, what their thoughts are, and just their general antics, would be wonderful.

I am actually going to throw out Jason Brown as one who could do well with figures. He clearly has the attitude to practice practice practice. He has talked about always wanting to work on things he could, hence his flexibility, so I could see him working figures a hell of a lot to help compensate for jumps, just like he works on spins, etc. to compensate for the quad. If nothing else he would likely have the patience and stubbornness to do what it took to get good at them. Hell, I think he might actually enjoy them on some level.

 

[iceberg]

Patrick for me is more of an interpretative dancer in figure skating as supposed to a ballet dancer. His figures are top notch. He is very dramatic and artistic but idk he doesn't have that much impact to me. He is great but I just mostly forget his programs.

 

[Skater Boy]

I don't think Carolina would have had the nerves to be a really good figures specialist.

It occurs to me that if you go with 21 years, Brian Boitano, who skated at the 1994 Olympics, would be included, in which case, Brian probably wins. Victor Petrenko, another returnee, finishes second.

Katarina Witt, another returnee in 1994, wins the ladies.

I am not sure how to interpret this question. If you factor in that Brian and Katarina already did school figures yes they would probably win over someone who never did it. However, if we could magically compare them to someone not raised when they did school figures these two would probably NOT be the top. They weren't even the top in their hey days and Witt was always considered to be often overmarked. Because of the edges and such I would go with Chan and Arakawa. Michelle would do well too probably. Maybe someone well disciplined like Nathan Chen or Nam too would do well.

 

[Mrs. P]

Patrick for me is more of an interpretative dancer in figure skating as supposed to a ballet dancer. His figures are top notch. He is very dramatic and artistic but idk he doesn't have that much impact to me. He is great but I just mostly forget his programs.

However, the question at hand is who would be good at school figures. Whether his programs are forgettable or not isn't really relevant to his ability to do school figures.

I agree with many here that he would be excellent at school figures due to the obvious fact his coach had him do them and that he has really nice deep edges.

Charlie White and other ice dancers who started out as single skaters would probably be excellent as well.

 

[shiroKJ]

are we talking about skaters who would do well based on their current skill sets or those who could have done well if they had to practice it? Because if its the latter then i would say everyone has a chance of doing well since those who do well in figures dont always do well in free skating and vice versa.

 

[Violet Bliss]

I just want to say I really really want to see this happen. It would be so fun to see today's skaters being made to do figures, seeing what they think of it, what their thoughts are, and just their general antics, would be wonderful.

What is "this" that you want to see happen? The part of the competition was thrown out because it was no fun, long sessions involving judges scrutinizing the figures up close. TV of the days didn't show the figure competition which counted for a big part of the total, so the public saw the Technical and the Free Programs while the eventual outcomes were mostly already determined.

Most experts however believe in the importance of figures training though it is uncommon these days.

 

[StitchMonkey]

What is "this" that you want to see happen? The part of the competition was thrown out because it was no fun, long sessions involving judges scrutinizing the figures up close. TV of the days didn't show the figure competition which counted for a big part of the total, so the public saw the Technical and the Free Programs while the eventual outcomes were mostly already determined.

Most experts however believe in the importance of figures training though it is uncommon these days.

I want to see skaters of today react to trying figures when they have never done it. I am not saying bring them back, more that it would be funny to film at Champs Camp for instance. I basically want to see how top skaters today would do trying it with little to no experience. I also think seeing/hearing their thoughts/reactions to it could be interesting.

Basically i want fluff piece on skaters trying figures for the first time for fun and nostalgia.

 

[kiara_bleu]

I want to see skaters of today react to trying figures when they have never done it. I am not saying bring them back, more that it would be funny to film at Champs Camp for instance. I basically want to see how top skaters today would do trying it with little to no experience. I also think seeing/hearing their thoughts/reactions to it could be interesting.

Basically i want fluff piece on skaters trying figures for the first time for fun and nostalgia.

Oh wow, I love this!! Maybe Ice Network can do this as an online series or something like with the new fun videos they just had. But you need fresh sheet of ice and probably better camera work to really see it and I don't think they have the budget for that.