ISU Pairs Figure Skating Explained
Eligible Senior Pairs Short Program and Free Skate Components
Olympic Pairs Skating invites two athletes to perform dangerous strength moves while skating in perfect unison across a slick plate of ice.
Pairs skating is basically singles skating times two. It unites the best of the singles skating world with brute strength and ingenuity.
Double the power means a team of one male and one female skater can perform amazing triple axel throws, death spirals, and magnificent lifts. Partners must mirror each other in perfect synchronization even during jump take-offs and landings.
Most elite pairs skaters began learning their craft as singles skaters long before they joined the hundreds of names on partner search lists. Several of the great pairs skaters have also gone on to become successful singles skaters. While the basic techniques are fundamentally the same, having two skaters with elite ability creates an atmosphere of new possibilities in their routines’ components.
Kristi Yamaguchi and Rudy Galindo are great examples of how two disciplines can help train each other. Long before Kristi’s Olympic Gold or Rudy’s World Bronze, the two were US National Pairs Champs. In fact, Kristi’s reserved personality was power-boosted by the support of a partner who is a natural showman. These skaters developed their championship technique, presentation ability, and confidence together – even though infinite fame followed in the years after they chose to split up the team.
While pairs and singles skating are founded on the same principles of strength, balance and commitment, there are fundamental differences that distinctly separate pairs from any other type of skating.
Pairs Short Program
Unlike the ubber-regulated ice dancing, pairs skating has a short program that runs a maximum of two minutes and fifty seconds. During their short, skaters must pack a lot of moves into a little time.
Senior, Olympic-eligible competitors must perform a hand-hand lift, a double or triple twist lift with a flip or Lutz take-off, a double or triple throw, and a double or triple solo jump. They must also perform a solo spin combo with only one change of foot, at least one change of position, and a minimum of five revolutions on each foot.
The pairs spin is often one of the highlights of a program. Skaters and coaches exhibit a level of creativity during this spin that often impacts the sport forever (think: Tamara Moskvina’s inverted spin developed for her pupil, two-time Olympic Pairs Gold Medalist Artur Dmitriev.) Pairs can spin basically in any position, as long as they have only one change of foot, at least one change of position, and hold the spin for a minimum of eight revolutions.
The death spiral often comes toward the end of the program because it tends to slow the skaters down by using up the momentum and energy they have left from their jumps and lifts. For the short program, the death spiral must be performed on a back outside edge.
A spiral step sequence is not necessarily the most difficult of required elements, but it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. Olympians and lovers Gordeeva and Grinkov created a timeless portrait of unity as they floated across the ice in each other’s arms during this element.
Pairs Free Skate
The pairs figure skating long program lasts around four minutes and thirty seconds, give or take ten seconds. No matter what their skills repertoire holds, skaters cannot perform more than three lifts during their free skates. The man must have fully extended arm while he lifts the lady over his head.
A maximum of one twist lift, one solo jump, and two different throw jumps are also required. These are in addition to a jump sequence. There aren’t a maximum number of jumps for a jump sequence, but there can only be two jumps in combination.
Death spirals can be performed one to a routine. A regular hand-hold must lead the lady through at least one revolution after the man is in the pivot position. Skaters can get more points by exhibiting a change of edge or direction during the same death spiral because such maneuvers are extremely difficult.
The pairs spin is limited to only one combination per long program. Each partner has to change position at least once while being connected to the other partner in some sort of hold. They must spin at least eight times and have one change of foot. This element is sometimes one of the most difficult to coordinate between partners, but the use of gravitational pull and a good center can create illusion-type spins.
Only one solo spin can be performed. Each partner has to spin in perfect unison with the other partner for ten or more revolutions. Each has to change his or her skating foot at least once during the solo spin. These side-by-side solo spins have been the cause of several serious injuries over the last decade. Most notably was Yelena Berezhnaya’s head being sliced open by a camel spin that came too closely together. Because of the brain damage from her partner’s blade, she had to relearn how to walk, talk, and skate. And skate she did – right into the top of the Salt Lake City Olympics pairs gold medal controversy.
In the world of skating, comebacks like hers are not unheard of because there is no age limit on international pairs competitors under the ISU. They just have to pass their senior moves and senior pairs tests. It's no wonder why adult figure skating numbers have steadily been on the rise.
