Pair skating
The pairs skating is a discipline of the sport figure skating , in which the programs are executed by a pair of a lady and a gentleman.
Couples show synchronized single running elements and special pair running elements such as thrown jumps , lifts, pair running pirouettes, spirals and death spirals .
The pair run consists of two parts:
- the short program with compulsory elements,
- the freestyle in which the elements are freely selectable
Short program
The duration of the short program is two minutes and fifty seconds, but not all of the time has to be used. Any element that is started after the prescribed time has elapsed will be considered skipped in the scoring. If the athlete does not finish his short program within the time limit, there is a deduction of 1.0 points for every five seconds. The timekeeper must inform the judges.
The short program of skating in pairs (senior citizens and juniors) consists of 8 required elements, which are linked by connecting elements. Any order can be selected. Further different or repeated, previously unsuccessful elements are not permitted; this leads to deductions in the rating.
For senior citizens, the short program consists of the required elements, which come from one of the following 3 groups. The current group for the following season is determined on July 1st of each year.
Group B
2004-2005 season
- any lasso lift (group five)
- a throw twist (double)
- a thrown jump (double or triple)
- a solo jump (double or triple)
- a solo pirouette combination , with only one foot change and with at least one change of position
- Pair of running spin combination with at least one change of position, and with at least one change of foot (Stand, seat, camel spin and their variations)
- a death spiral (backwards-inwards)
- a spiral step sequence
Group C
2005-2006 season
- any hand / hip lift (group three)
- Throw Twist (double)
- thrown jump (double or triple)
- Solo jump (double or triple)
- Solo pirouette combination with just one change of foot and with at least one change of position
- Pair of running spin combination with at least one change of position, and with at least one change of foot (Stand, seat, camel spin and their variations)
- Death spiral (forward-inward)
- Step sequence (longitudinal step sequences , circular step sequences , spiral step sequences )
Group A
2006-2007 season
- any hand to hand raise (group four)
- a throw twist (double or triple)
- a thrown jump (double or triple)
- a solo jump (double or triple)
- a solo pirouette combination with just one change of foot and with at least one change of position
- Pair of running spin combination with at least one change of position, and with at least one change of foot (Stand, seat, camel spin and their variations)
- Death spiral (backward-outward)
- Spiral sequence
Freestyle
The duration of a freestyle is 4 ½ minutes for the seniors and 4 minutes for the juniors. The athletes are allowed to finish their freestyle after this time with a tolerance of plus or minus ten seconds. If an athlete does not finish his freestyle within the time limit, there is a deduction of 1.0 points for every five seconds. The timekeeper must inform the judges.
The pair skating consists of a well balanced program. On the one hand, it contains single run elements that are carried out either symmetrically (mirror run) or parallel (shadow run). On the other hand, it contains elements specific to couple walking, such as pirouettes, spirals, lifts, thrown jumps and the like. a. that are harmoniously connected with steps or other elements.
- All elements must be linked with more difficult connection steps and with other freestyle elements, different poses and postures. The entire ice surface must be used.
- Both partners don't always need to make the same movements. You can break loose from time to time, but the impression of unity and harmony of the couple must be preserved.
- Too many or too little shown elements as well as a smaller number of connecting elements and other suitable movements in the freestyle elements must be viewed by the judges as a less well-balanced program and deductions must be made in the technique evaluation.
- If the freestyle contains forbidden elements, there must be deductions for both the technical and the artistic evaluation.
"Well Balanced Program"
A well-balanced senior program includes:
- a maximum of three different lifts (one of them must be from group 3 or 4, on an extended hand / hands);
- at most a throw twist
- at most two different jumps thrown ;
- at most one solo jump ;
- at most one jump sequence (any number of jumps);
- at most one pairing pirouette combination ;
- at most one solo pirouette combination ;
- at most one death spiral ;
- at most one step sequence (spiral step sequences , longitudinal step sequences , circular step sequences , serpentine step sequences ) using the entire ice surface;
- at most one spiral sequence or freestyle elements (turns, arabesque, etc.) using the entire ice surface;
- at most one additional element - second spiral of death (other than the first), other solo / couple pirouette combination or solo / couple pirouette;
Jump sequences
A jump sequence consists of several jumps that are combined with smaller, fast steps or turns that are not classified as jumps. A sequence must be executed in time so that you can see where it starts and where it ends.
Solo pirouettes
Solo pirouettes must have at least six spins and a pair pirouette combination must have at least eight spins . In the pirouette combination, a change of feet is mandatory for both partners. It is not necessary, however, for both to make this change at the same time. Another pair run pirouette combination or pair run pirouette does not have to meet the prescribed number of turns.
Lifts
A lift is a complete lift with the lift arms extended.
- In all lifts, both partners can only help each other with hand-to-hand, hand-to-arm, hand-to-waist, hand-to-hip, and hand-to-leg (above the knee) postures.
- A lift consists of a flowing upward and downward twisting motion, with the lifter making a maximum of three and a half turns with a fully extended arm and the partner making at least two turns.
- A carried lift is simply being carried without twisting (the partner is not above the partner's head). When lifting is carried out, the postures are not limited.
- Small lifts with an upward, downward or twisting character, in which the partner only lifts their arms at shoulder height or holds the partner by the leg, are also allowed, but they must not contain more than one and a half turns.
- Lifts in which the partner holds the partner by the hand or legs and turns around in the air (sling elements) are not allowed. Further turning movements, in which one partner takes the other by the leg or arm, are also not allowed, but the so-called death spiral , in which the partner circles around the partner, is allowed. One of the partner's skates must touch the ice at all times.
- The most difficult lift from group 5 is the axel lasso lift (also side-by-side lasso ).
- In every group, the following applies: The level of difficulty increases if a lift is only performed with one hand.
Interpretation
A freestyle interpretation emphasizes the harmony of figure skating with music and artistic expression rather than the technical difficulties by means of various figure skating elements.
- A maximum of three lifts , one of which can be a Lutz throw (double or triple).
- A thrown jump (double or triple) is allowed.
- Triple jumps are not allowed .
- A jump sequence or combination is permitted , as well as a single or double solo jump .
- A solo pirouette is allowed. Other elements specific to pairing are possible without limitation.
- The choice of music is not limited. Props that are hand-held, placed on the head, or attached to the costume are allowed.
See also
- Figure skating elements
- ISU scoring system for figure skating and ice dancing
- Jumps in figure skating
Web links
- ISU rules (PDF)