- Joined
- Nov 30, 2016
1987
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT YET
FAREWELL, "SCHOOL"!
(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on July 24, 1987)
FAREWELL, "SCHOOL"!
(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on July 24, 1987)
Teletypes of world news agencies have sent out a report: "The Council and technical committees of the International Skating Union (ISU) have submitted for consideration to the ISU Congress the question of eliminating compulsory figures from the program of single skating competitions and reducing the number of compulsory dances from three to one at all championships among seniors held under the auspices of the union."
In a special letter sent to all members of the ISU Council, it is emphasized that these measures are necessary for the further progress of figure skating, that they are designed to make this sport more interesting and spectacular both for spectators and for the athletes themselves. "If this proposal is accepted," writes Agence France-Presse, "we will witness a real revolution in the small world of figure skating."
For a long time, the performance of compulsory figures was decisive in the ranking of forces at competitions. However, in recent years, this section of figure skating has lost its authority. The athletes themselves believe that practicing the "school" requiring diligence and perseverance, contributes little to increasing mastery, developing athleticism, and the beauty of skating.
"The intention to eliminate compulsory exercises from the competition program, even if at first only for seniors, is a big step forward," believes the first vice-president of the ISU, Dr. Josef Dědič (Czechoslovakia). In an interview with the newspaper Czechoslovak Sport, he stated: "Professional coaches from the USA, Canada, and other Western countries have long been against any restrictions on the 'compulsory program' since its removal requires duplicate hours, meaning it provides coaches with work and salary. And yet, one should not dismiss the fact that champions become primarily those who achieve success in the free program."
But perhaps it is necessary to preserve the practice of compulsory figures for young athletes and juniors? The generally accepted point of view stands: who does not possess the skills of the "school," that person cannot be considered a figure skater. But, for example, specialists unanimously recognize English ice dancer Christopher Dean as the most technical figure skater of modern times, although he never engaged in the "school" and never performed compulsory exercises. He acquired all the necessary technique during regular training sessions on the ice and in the hall for choreography.
"Despite the fact that the score for the 'school' is only 30 percent of the total score for the performance of an athlete, its role is immeasurably higher,» continues J. Dědič. «It influences the short programme, too: if a figure skater has a poor performance in the "school," they fall into a weaker group. And even with a good performance of the program, they are unlikely to receive the scores that they would be awarded in the group of the strongest. It would be more correct to build the sequence of performances based on the results of the last World or European Championship, taking into account the indicators of other significant competitions.»
At the ISU Congress, which will be held in June 1988 in Davos, a question will also be considered to ensure that the 10 best figure skaters or ice dance couples (based on the results of the previous championship) do not participate in the draw. It is expected that they will start in the last two groups according to the positions occupied up to that year.
And what do Soviet specialists think about the ISU innovations? Here is the opinion of the famous figure skater of the past, medalist of the World Championship, and now director of the figure skating school of the CSKA Army Club, Aleksandr Gorelik.
— The question of eliminating the "school" has already been discussed in sports circles for a long time. However, getting rid of it turned out to be not so simple. The roots of the "school" are deep. Its history goes back into the past, to the end of the XIX — beginning of the XX century, when athletes were obliged to trace complex flourishes, rosettes, and figures on the ice. The undisputed master of the "school" in Russia, and indeed in the whole world, was the first Russian Olympic champion Nikolai Panin-Kolomenkin. But now, it seems to me, the "compulsory program" is becoming less relevant from year to year. Even children in figure skating schools begin to practice compulsory figures from the age of 9–10, when they have sufficiently strong leg muscles. That is, at the level of mastery, the "school" has a very indirect influence...
According to the proposals of the Council and technical committees of the ISU, the short program for single skaters should be replaced by an original one, lasting 2.5 minutes and containing mandatory elements and two footwork sequences. The ice dance competitions will also become more spectacular. In one day, it will be possible to hold competitions for one compulsory and original dance. The compulsory dance will be determined by a draw right before the competition from three designated ones for the season. Competitions for pairs will remain unchanged.
The new rules, if approved by the ISU Congress, may come into force starting from 1988.
In a special letter sent to all members of the ISU Council, it is emphasized that these measures are necessary for the further progress of figure skating, that they are designed to make this sport more interesting and spectacular both for spectators and for the athletes themselves. "If this proposal is accepted," writes Agence France-Presse, "we will witness a real revolution in the small world of figure skating."
For a long time, the performance of compulsory figures was decisive in the ranking of forces at competitions. However, in recent years, this section of figure skating has lost its authority. The athletes themselves believe that practicing the "school" requiring diligence and perseverance, contributes little to increasing mastery, developing athleticism, and the beauty of skating.
"The intention to eliminate compulsory exercises from the competition program, even if at first only for seniors, is a big step forward," believes the first vice-president of the ISU, Dr. Josef Dědič (Czechoslovakia). In an interview with the newspaper Czechoslovak Sport, he stated: "Professional coaches from the USA, Canada, and other Western countries have long been against any restrictions on the 'compulsory program' since its removal requires duplicate hours, meaning it provides coaches with work and salary. And yet, one should not dismiss the fact that champions become primarily those who achieve success in the free program."
But perhaps it is necessary to preserve the practice of compulsory figures for young athletes and juniors? The generally accepted point of view stands: who does not possess the skills of the "school," that person cannot be considered a figure skater. But, for example, specialists unanimously recognize English ice dancer Christopher Dean as the most technical figure skater of modern times, although he never engaged in the "school" and never performed compulsory exercises. He acquired all the necessary technique during regular training sessions on the ice and in the hall for choreography.
"Despite the fact that the score for the 'school' is only 30 percent of the total score for the performance of an athlete, its role is immeasurably higher,» continues J. Dědič. «It influences the short programme, too: if a figure skater has a poor performance in the "school," they fall into a weaker group. And even with a good performance of the program, they are unlikely to receive the scores that they would be awarded in the group of the strongest. It would be more correct to build the sequence of performances based on the results of the last World or European Championship, taking into account the indicators of other significant competitions.»
At the ISU Congress, which will be held in June 1988 in Davos, a question will also be considered to ensure that the 10 best figure skaters or ice dance couples (based on the results of the previous championship) do not participate in the draw. It is expected that they will start in the last two groups according to the positions occupied up to that year.
And what do Soviet specialists think about the ISU innovations? Here is the opinion of the famous figure skater of the past, medalist of the World Championship, and now director of the figure skating school of the CSKA Army Club, Aleksandr Gorelik.
— The question of eliminating the "school" has already been discussed in sports circles for a long time. However, getting rid of it turned out to be not so simple. The roots of the "school" are deep. Its history goes back into the past, to the end of the XIX — beginning of the XX century, when athletes were obliged to trace complex flourishes, rosettes, and figures on the ice. The undisputed master of the "school" in Russia, and indeed in the whole world, was the first Russian Olympic champion Nikolai Panin-Kolomenkin. But now, it seems to me, the "compulsory program" is becoming less relevant from year to year. Even children in figure skating schools begin to practice compulsory figures from the age of 9–10, when they have sufficiently strong leg muscles. That is, at the level of mastery, the "school" has a very indirect influence...
According to the proposals of the Council and technical committees of the ISU, the short program for single skaters should be replaced by an original one, lasting 2.5 minutes and containing mandatory elements and two footwork sequences. The ice dance competitions will also become more spectacular. In one day, it will be possible to hold competitions for one compulsory and original dance. The compulsory dance will be determined by a draw right before the competition from three designated ones for the season. Competitions for pairs will remain unchanged.
The new rules, if approved by the ISU Congress, may come into force starting from 1988.
O. POLONSKAYA.
This is how competitions in the "school" take place. But it may happen that in just two years this section of figure skating will become a historical artifact.
Photo by Yu. Tkachev.
