Robin Beale, age 12, of Miami, Fla., for her question:
WHEN WAS ICE FIGURE SKATING INTRODUCED?
Ice skating is the movement across an ice surface by means of instruments called skates, each of which is made up of a steel blade fastened to the sole of a boot. The introduction of curved steel skates in the mid 19th century did much to develop the art of what we today call figure skating.
In figure skating, the participant is rated on his or her ability to follow prescribed outlines on the ice. Unlike the speed skater, who bends forward on straight edges to gain speed, the figure skater stands gracefully, trying to achieve a smooth, effortless performance while skating.
The curved, shorter steel blade allows for making the necessary sharp turns and spins. These outlines, called school figures, are patterns of two or three lobed figure eights.
Another division of figure skating competition is called free skating, where the figure eights are followed to music, similar to a dance routine.
The first world championship for male figure skating was held in 1896 and for women in 1906. Figure skating competition in the United States started in 1914. Competition today is supervised by the U.S. Figure Skating Association.
The first figure skating meets of the Olympic Games were held in 1908. In recent Olympics, three separate forms of figure skating have made up the competition: figure skating, pairs skating and ice dancing.
Since the end of World War II, ice skating has become popular as an entertainment in the form of lavishly staged ice shows, with large casts of figure skaters, music and dramatic costumes.
Ice skating today is popular both as a sport and as a recreational.
Speed skating races can be traced to the beginning of the 17th century in the Netherlands. Races were being held on the North American continent by the early 1800s, and they quickly became a favorite sport in the northern U.S. and Canada.
In 1884 a national amateur association was formed in the United States and in 1891 it held the first of its annual championship contests.
The International Skating Federation awarded its first international championship for amateurs in 1893.
The first speed skating competition of the Olympic Games were held in 1924. In Olympic style competition the skaters race against the clock rather than each other.
The other sport involving skillful ice skating is the action packed game of ice hockey. It is popular both as an amateur recreational activity and also as a spectator sport that features skilled professional skaters.