Figure Skating is an individual or paired freestyle sport where competitors attempt to preform a routine on ice skates with extreme agility and poise. First preformed at the Winter Olympic games in 1908, figure skating is primarily a winter sport since it must be done either indoors or outdoors in very cold settings. Figure skating relies on ice skates, which are compromised of a boot attached to a slightly curved metal blade or skate with a toe pick at the front. Today, most figure skating competitions are preformed by individuals, duos, or teams and typically involve synchronization to music.

How is figure skating scored?


Figure Skaters are based on a point system. There are two types of marks a skater can receive: a technical and a program component score. Adding both scores result in the total composite score and whichever skater has the highest score wins.

How many calories does ice skating burn?

Ice skating can burn, on average, 630 calories an hour. Doing laps on an ice rink can help burn 387 – 663 calories depending on the intensity level and weight. Not only does ice skating help burn calories quickly, but it also helps with balance, coordination and muscle strength in your legs and glutes.

How do you stop when ice skating?

There are multiple ways of stopping when ice skating: snowplow stops, t-stops, and front t-stops. The most common way to stop is the snowplow stop: start by moving the flat portion of the blade and scratching the ice for a snowplow stop. Then put out one foot, click the flat part and bend the knees.

Figure Skating Guides
Browse through our curated Figure Skating Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Figure Skating. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
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5’11” | 1.80 m
October 22, 1963
Brian Boitano
180.000
1963.00
14000
GUIDE
3D
Brian Boitano
5’4” | 1.63 m
July 26, 1956
Dorothy Hamill
163.000
1956.00
36000
GUIDE
3D
Dorothy Hamill
5'2" | 1.57 m
November 19, 1999
Evgenia Medvedeva
157.000
1999.00
16000
GUIDE
3D
Evgenia Medvedeva
42” | 106.7 cm (Boards)
98.43’ | 30 m
196.85’ | 60 m
18,707 ft² | 1738 m²
Figure Skating Rink
106.700
3000.000
6000.000
1738.00
90
https://p3d.in/e/gFLfM
GUIDE
3D
Figure Skating Rink3D model of a Figure Skating Rink viewed in perspective3D model of a Figure Skating Rink viewed in perspective
5’5” | 1.65 m
December 3, 1965
Katarina Witt
165.000
1965.00
19000
GUIDE
3D
Katarina Witt
4’11.5” | 1.51 m
July 12, 1971
Kristi Yamaguchi
151.000
1971.00
15000
GUIDE
3D
Kristi Yamaguchi
5'2" | 1.57 m
July 7, 1980
Michelle Kwan
157.000
1980.00
33000
GUIDE
3D
Michelle Kwan
5’4” | 1.63 m
July 27, 1948
Peggy Fleming
163.000
1948.00
5300
GUIDE
3D
Peggy Fleming
5’4” | 1.63 m
August 28, 1958
Scott Hamilton
163.000
1958.00
15000
GUIDE
3D
Scott Hamilton
5'5" | 1.65 m (Tessa); 5’11” | 1.80 m (Scott)
May 17, 1989 (Tessa); September 2, 1987 (Scott)
Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir
180.000
1987.00
13100
GUIDE
3D
Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir
5’7.5” | 1.71 m
December 7, 1994
Yuzuru Hanyu
171.000
1994.00
38000
GUIDE
3D
Yuzuru Hanyu
Peggy Fleming
Set of scaled height illustrations of various figure skaters compared to Peggy Fleming

Peggy Fleming is an American figure skater that prevailed in the women’s competitions from 1964 to 1968. Peggy Fleming won the gold medal at the 1968 Olympics. She is strongly associated with the 1968 Olympics as Peggy Fleming won the only gold medal the United States earned that year. Peggy Fleming became known for her performances that encompassed grace and artistic expression. She began skating at the age of 9. Peggy Fleming retired after becoming an Olympic champion and has since performed on television specials and has been a commentator in figure skating for over 20 years.

Peggy Fleming has a height of 5’4” (1.63 m).

Collection of drawings of Peggy Fleming measured with overall height
Peggy Fleming is an American figure skater that prevailed in the women’s competitions from 1964 to 1968. Peggy Fleming won the gold medal at the 1968 Olympics. She is strongly associated with the 1968 Olympics as Peggy Fleming won the only gold medal the United States earned that year.

Peggy Fleming has a height of 5’4” (1.63 m).

Collection of drawings of Peggy Fleming measured with overall height
Peggy Fleming
Height:
5’4” | 1.63 m
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Nationality: United States

Years Active: 1962-1968

Birthday
July 27, 1948

Drawings include:
Peggy Fleming standing, skating

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Michelle Kwan
Group of scaled height illustrations of various figure skaters compared to Michelle Kwan

Michelle Kwan, Kwan Shan Wing, is an American figure skater and a two-time Olympic medalist. She won a silver medal at the 1998 Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the 2002 Olympic Games. Michelle Kwan was at one point one of the most decorated figure skaters and is considered as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time. Michelle Kwan holds the record for the most consecutive U.S titles and most consecutive U.S Championship medals. She began skating at the age of 5. Her signature moves included the Y-spin and the Charlotte spiral. Michelle Kwan retired in 2006.

Michelle Kwan has a height of 5'2" (1.57 m).

Series of elevation drawings of Michelle Kwan in figure skating positions measured with overall height
Michelle Kwan, Kwan Shan Wing, is an American figure skater and a two-time Olympic medalist. She won a silver medal at the 1998 Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the 2002 Olympic Games. Michelle Kwan was at one point one of the most decorated figure skaters and is considered as one of the best.

Michelle Kwan has a height of 5'2" (1.57 m).

Series of elevation drawings of Michelle Kwan in figure skating positions measured with overall height
Michelle Kwan
Height:
5'2" | 1.57 m
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Nationality: United States

Years Active: 1991-2006

Birthday
July 7, 1980

Drawings include:
Michelle Kwan standing, skating

Details & Downloads

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Brian Boitano
Set of scaled height illustrations of various figure skaters compared to Brian Boitano

Brian Boitano is an American figure skater known for winning multiple U.S. National Championships, World Championships, and becoming the 1988 Olympic champion. Brian Boitano is the creator of the “Tano Lutz” jump, in which the skater raises their left arm during a Lutz. Brian Boitano became the first American to land a triple axel in competition in 1982. He began skating at the age of 8. He first retired from completive skating 1988, but after a change of rules he was allowed to competitively skate again and officially retired in 1994. Brian Boitano has made several television and film appearances during his career.

Brian Boitano has a height of 5’11” (1.80 m).

Collection of drawings of Brian Boitano measured with overall height
Brian Boitano is an American figure skater known for winning multiple U.S. National Championships, World Championships, and becoming the 1988 Olympic champion. Brian Boitano is the creator of the “Tano Lutz” jump, in which the skater raises their left arm during a Lutz.

Brian Boitano has a height of 5’11” (1.80 m).

Collection of drawings of Brian Boitano measured with overall height
Brian Boitano
Height:
5’11” | 1.80 m
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Nationality: United States

Years Active: 1988-1994

Birthday
October 22, 1963

Drawings include:
Brian Boitano standing, skating

Details & Downloads

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Figure Skating Rink
Drawing of a Figure Skating Rink compared to other similar sports fields

A Figure skating rink is a frozen rectangular surface with curved or circular ends on both sides used to host the Olympic sport of figure skating. Skating rinks vary in size depending on skill level of the athletes and performers, with the largest being an Olympic-sized rink. Skating rinks are often used for both figure skating and ice hockey games, and dimensions are typically the same for both. Unlike hockey, a figure skating rink is clear of goals and markings to allow athletes and performers the maximum amount of unimpeded space. Meant to provide a smooth and hard surface, the rink ice temperature ranges between -5.5C (22F) and -3.5C (26F).

Figure Skating Rinks have an overall length of 196.85’ (60 m) and width of 98.43’ (30 m), for a total area of 18,707 ft² (1738 m²). The corners of a Figure Skating Rink have a radius of 27.89’ (8.5 m).

Dimensioned plan drawing of a Figure Skating Rink measured with length and width
A Figure skating rink is a frozen rectangular surface with curved or circular ends on both sides used to host the Olympic sport of figure skating. Skating rinks vary in size depending on skill level of the athletes and performers, with the largest being an Olympic-sized rink.

Figure Skating Rinks have an overall length of 196.85’ (60 m) and width of 98.43’ (30 m), for a total area of 18,707 ft² (1738 m²). The corners of a Figure Skating Rink have a radius of 27.89’ (8.5 m).

Dimensioned plan drawing of a Figure Skating Rink measured with length and width
Figure Skating Rink
Height:
42” | 106.7 cm (Boards)
Width:
98.43’ | 30 m
Length:
196.85’ | 60 m
Depth:
Weight:
Area:
18,707 ft² | 1738 m²

Corner Radius: 27.89’ | 8.5 m
Surface Materials: Thin layer of ice over level painted concrete subsurface

Birthday

Drawings include:
Figure Skating Rink plan

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Scott Hamilton
Scaled height comparison drawings of Scott Hamilton compared to other figure skaters

Scott Hamilton is an American figure skater known for winning 4 consecutive World Championships, U.S. National Championships, as well as the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal in men’s figure skating. Scott Hamilton is credited with bringing athleticism to figure skating.  Scott Hamilton began skating at the age of 9 and his signature move is the backflip. He retired from competitive figure skating in 1984. In his retirement he has written various books, done charity work, and worked as a commentator for CBS and NBC television. Scott Hamilton also created “Scott Hamilton’s American Tour” which later became “Stars on Ice” in which professional figure skaters performed for different audiences.

Scott Hamilton has a height of 5’4” (1.63 m).

Set of illustrations of Scott Hamilton in various figure skating poses measured with overall height
Scott Hamilton is an American figure skater known for winning 4 consecutive World Championships, U.S. National Championships, as well as the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal in men’s figure skating. Scott Hamilton is credited with bringing athleticism to figure skating. Scott Hamilton began skating at 9.

Scott Hamilton has a height of 5’4” (1.63 m).

Set of illustrations of Scott Hamilton in various figure skating poses measured with overall height
Scott Hamilton
Height:
5’4” | 1.63 m
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Nationality: United States

Years Active: 1976-1984

Birthday
August 28, 1958

Drawings include:
Scott Hamilton standing, skating

Details & Downloads

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