- Joined
- Aug 27, 2003
I don't think there is a single, permanent "ideal" figure type in skating. Rather, I think the "ideal" figure type varies by discipline and changes over time, based on changing technical requirements and the evolving judging system.
For example, to consider ladies. In the 1940s-1960s, school figures were the dominant factor, jumps were not that important, and successful ladies back then had what we'd now consider a less athletic look. Then in the 1980s and 1990s, the judging system changed; school figures became less important, jumps more so. What mattered in this era was the number and variety of jumps landed on one foot. The most successful ladies had a generally "short, slim & compact" look. Most were between 5'0"-5'4", and typically on the shorter side of that range (although Witt and Thomas were outliers at 5'5"). And probably more ladies than not had long torsos/short legs. Now, in the 2010s, the judging system has changed again. It's all about GOE and the "quality" of the jump (i.e., height, edge takeoff, flow out of landing). This change seems to have favored the emergence a group of taller, more willowy, long-legged skaters, typically 5'4" and over, leading examples being Kim, Kostner, Asada, Gold, Sotnikova, Korpi, Gao. So I'd argue that the "ideal" figure hasn't remained static but has changed over the years.
And the "ideal" figure type is very different in dance and pairs. In pairs, it is still very advantageous for the lady to be short, between 4'10"-5'4", and preferably on the shorter end of that range. A shorter torso/long legs is preferred but not essential. In dance, meanwhile, ladies can be much taller, although with increasingly difficult lift requirements, we may see a trend toward more petite, willowy dancers, like Meryl Davis.
For example, to consider ladies. In the 1940s-1960s, school figures were the dominant factor, jumps were not that important, and successful ladies back then had what we'd now consider a less athletic look. Then in the 1980s and 1990s, the judging system changed; school figures became less important, jumps more so. What mattered in this era was the number and variety of jumps landed on one foot. The most successful ladies had a generally "short, slim & compact" look. Most were between 5'0"-5'4", and typically on the shorter side of that range (although Witt and Thomas were outliers at 5'5"). And probably more ladies than not had long torsos/short legs. Now, in the 2010s, the judging system has changed again. It's all about GOE and the "quality" of the jump (i.e., height, edge takeoff, flow out of landing). This change seems to have favored the emergence a group of taller, more willowy, long-legged skaters, typically 5'4" and over, leading examples being Kim, Kostner, Asada, Gold, Sotnikova, Korpi, Gao. So I'd argue that the "ideal" figure hasn't remained static but has changed over the years.
And the "ideal" figure type is very different in dance and pairs. In pairs, it is still very advantageous for the lady to be short, between 4'10"-5'4", and preferably on the shorter end of that range. A shorter torso/long legs is preferred but not essential. In dance, meanwhile, ladies can be much taller, although with increasingly difficult lift requirements, we may see a trend toward more petite, willowy dancers, like Meryl Davis.