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Irving Brokaw

Esq.

K. OLLOW (ST. PETERSBURG) AT THE CHANGE OF EDGE. really figure-skating as we understand it now, or whether it was merely a mode of progression. However, it is quite certain that figure-skating was known as far back as 1772, when Lieut. R. Jones in A Treatise [SKATING on Skating mentions the "Figure of eight," the change of edge or serpentine line, and the three, which he describes in the para- M. MEYER. INSIDE FORWARD EDGE. graph, "How to cut the figure of a heart on one leg."

As in all sports of an International character, a governing body was found to be essential, and in 1892 this want was supplied by the formation of the International Skating Union (I.S.U.), which is an association of governing bodies of skating in different countries. The members of the Union at present consist of representatives from Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Hungary, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The object of the I.S.U. was to lay down fixed rules for International competitions, and to adjudicate upon any disputes which might from time to time arise. It is now the supreme authority on all skating matters. The Union meets in biennial congress to settle any questions arising, and to elect the Council to administer the business of the Association for the two ensuing years. Nine congresses have been held, at Scheveningen 1892, Copenhagen 1895, Stockholm 1897, London 1899, Berlin 1901, Budapest 1903, Copenhagen 1905, Stockholm 1907, Amsterdam 1909. The smooth working of this body is largely due to that good friend of all sportsmen, Lieut.-Col. V. G. Balck, president of the Union since the time of its inception.

Form. Every skater should adhere to the SKATING] rules laid down by the I.S.U. for correct carriage and movement in skating the compulsory figures (within which rules the individuality of the skater receives free play and all possible consideration on the part of the judges :- The body to be upright, not bent at the hips, but not stiff. Strong bending of knee or body to be only momentary; head upright. Free foot to be held only a little way from the ice, not dragging behind; toe turned downwards and outwards, knee slightly bent, generally held behind the tracing foot; otherwise swinging freely and The most common faults are:-Drooping the head, flourishing the arms, bending the body from the hips, and exaggerated bending of the unemployed leg. Drooping the head gives a very slovenly appearance, and is caused chiefly by the skater looking at the marks made by his skate on the ice. Part of a skater's training should be frequently to practise some of the school figures without glancing downwards. It is essential to know where to put a turn, &c., and a momentary glance at [From "The Art of Skating," by permission of Irving Brokaw, Esq. PANIN (ST. PETERSBURG). FORWARD LOOP, CHANGE, LOOP. assisting the movement, but without being held far away. Arms hanging down, easily; like the free foot, they can be used to assist by their movement, but without raising elbow or hand far away from the body; hands, when possible, never above the waist. Fingers neither spread nor clenched.

In general, everything violent, angular, or stiff to be avoided in the movement; no effort is to be strongly expressed, but the impression that the figures are executed without trouble is to be aimed at.

One of the chief objects of this style of skating is to encourage, rather than to repress, the latent individuality of the skater, and nothing in the above rule prevents this development of the personal element.

Correct form is too often held subsidiary to correct tracing of figures on the ice, which is a great mistake. It is advisable for a beginner to study good form rather than correct tracing, until a perfect skating position becomes the natural one for him to assume when endeavouring to attain this perfect tracing. the ice is therefore allowable, but the head must at once be raised to an upright position. The arms should not be held high or thrown about unnecessarily; they must be used to do their proper share of the work in turns, &c., but not, as a tight-rope walker uses them, solely to maintain a balance.

Any excessive use of the arms should not be allowed to become a habit, as it is quite unnecessary to one who is thoroughly master of his skates. The bending of the body sideways from the hips is caused simply by the fear of falling when learning to travel on an edge, but this fault is not likely to cling to a skater after his novitiate. The bending forward of the body is essential for certain movements, such as taking a stroke forward, but care must be taken to assume an upright position as soon as possible. The unemployed leg must be only slightly bent; excessive hooking gives it a very clumsy appearance, and moreover does away with its utility. The Americans term the unemployed leg the "balancing leg," which is perhaps a more correct term, because, although the skate is off the ice, the unemployed leg has as much, if not more, control in the execution of a movement than the employed or tracing leg, and it must be used to help the skater, and not be repressed.

The smoothness and grace of the international style is largely due to the proper use of the limbs. One more point must be emphasised before leaving the subject of correct form. The unemployed foot must be carried in such a manner, that the toe is always pointing downwards and outwards.

Carrying the toe outwards is managed by turning the unemployed leg outwards from HERR ULRICH SALCHOW. OUTSIDE BACK SPIRAL. the hip. This will not be found easy at first. It is, however, essential that a skater should overcome this difficulty by practice, if proficiency is to be obtained.

I.S.U. Schedule. - The I.S.U. has compiled a schedule of figures to be used for international competitions which will be found at the end of this article; it will, however, be impossible to give detailed instructions to the skater in all these figures owing to the small amount of space available. The following abbreviations will be used in describing the figures:- R = right L=left f=forwards b=backwards o = outside edge i=inside edge T = three LP=loop B = bracket RK=rocker C=counter The skater must first overcome the difficulties presented by the four plain edges and the change from one edge to another before attempting the scheduled figures. The outside forwards and backwards edges are un- [SKATING doubtedly those which are most difficult to acquire. This is easy to explain, for when attempting the outside edge forwards on the right foot it is necessary to incline the body outwards to the right, which gives the skater the feeling of being in imminent danger of falling, whereas on an inside edge this unpleasant sensation is absent, because the unemployed foot can conveniently be used to support the skater in case of loss of balance. In attempting an outside edge forwards it is this very feeling of insecurity which makes the beginner bend the body sideways from the hips, a feeling which will, however, soon be forgotten after a little practice, when the skater will have overcome one of the stumbling blocks of figure skating.

One of the best methods of learning the outside edge forwards is to start skating forwards in the ordinary way, and then keep bearing to the right or left, reducing the size of the curve until a circle of, say, 30 feet diameter is acquired. When bearing to the right, the change from the right to the left foot is made by crossing the left over the right, and placing it on the ice on the inside edge. With very little practice the skater will find that the right foot will be performing the outside edge forwards.

This should be practised both clockwise and counter-clockwise, thus ensuring the outside edge on either foot. The inside edge forwards or backwards will be found to be the natural edges to assume when first learning to skate a curve; it is therefore unnecessary to give any hints on learning these plain edges.

After learning the edges we come to what are termed "School Figures." These are the figures scheduled by the I.S.U. to be used in International Competitions.

Every school figure must be started from Rest. Thus starting on the right foot the whole of the momentum required to complete the figure must be gained by one stroke from the side of the left skate. There must be no suspicion of a previous stroke from the right. It is very important that the skater should take the initial stroke from the side and not from the toe of the skate, as a stroke taken from the toe makes a hole in the ice, a proceeding which is known as "pecking." Avoid this "pecking" as strenuously as you seek after the perfect start from rest.

Every figure must be skated three times on each foot, and the triple repetition must continue without pause.

Some hints on correct tracing will now be found useful, as this is important in skating school figures.

For the purpose of explanation we will first take Rfo curve eight (Fig. 1).

SKATING] 47 B- Loops RfoLPfo-LfoLPfo (Fig. 5) should be placed on the long axis, and the A a a is an imaginary line, which is called the long axis.

A B bb is another imaginary line called the transverse axis. B A FIG. I.

The long axis divides the eight longitudinally into two equal parts, and a the transverse axis crosses the long axis at right angles, passing through the centre of the eight. Thus, if figure is skated correctly the axes the triple repetition should coincide.

B A B A 类 B A A FIG. 2.

B Fig. 2 of shows an eight with the transverse and long axes of the lower half misplaced, instead of being in the position aa and bbrespectively, they are a' a' and b'b', thus destroying the symmetry of the figure.

Both halves of the eight should be approximately of equal size, and each curve should be finished near the starting point.

Care should be taken not to skate a figure too large, or the clearness of the curve will disappear by the introduction of subcurves.

There is a limit to the size of the figure which it is possible to execute correctly.

This limit will only be found by practice, after which the skater should be careful not to exceed it, or the figure will be ruined by the introduction of subcurves.

Leaving the eight, we come to the figures with turns, changes of edge, &c. The turns B A & must be symmetrically placed about the axes.

Thus in the Three RfoTbi-LfoTbi (Fig. -B 3) the turns must be placed exactly on the long axis, thus making the marks of the turns on the ice, or cusps," point towards one another along the long axis. The second curve should be approximately the same size as the first in order to bring the skater nearly to the starting point.

B A FIG. 3.

A Double 66 three B A FIG. 5.

A 8 A FIG. 6.

B B loop should not be so broad as it is long, and should be a pure curve without angles. In this figure special care should be taken to finish approximately at the starting point; it is a common fault to skate the resultant curve much smaller than the initial curve.

Change of edge One foot eight Rfoi-Lfoi (Fig. 6): The change of edge must be gradual, without any perceptible diminution of the radius of the curve before or after the change. The actual change from one edge to the other must occur at the point of intersection of the axes. In other respects the one foot eight is similar to the curve eight, the two halves being equal in size and the long axis dividing it down the centre.

B A B Rockers RfoRKbo-LboRKfo (Fig. 7) and Counters RfoCbo-LboCfo (Fig. 8).

These figures must be skated without change of edge, although a change of curve may take place.

In fact, this is necessary in order to accomplish them with symmetrical cusps. This change of curve occurs just after the turn in the rocker and just before the turn in the counter, and is known as a "forced edge."

B B B A FIG. 7.

A 8 A FIG. 8.

B B In these figures there B are two transverse axes, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The turns must be placed at the point of intersection of the long with the transverse axes.

All three circles of Rockers and Counters must be of equal parts; the fault of is to make the two outer smaller than the centre The long axis must divide the figures in two equal parts, as in the eight, and this will be found extremely difficult at first in regard to the two outer circles. must be of most skaters circles much one.

RfoTbiTfo- LfoTbiTfo (Fig. 4): The turns 8 should be placed on each side of, and equidistant from, the long axis and also equidistant from, but B on the same side of, the transverse axis. The three curves forming the double three should be of equal length.

A FIG. 4.

A FIG. 9.

B Brackets RfoBbi LbiBfo (Fig.

These must be made without change of edge before or after the turn; but as in rockers and counters, the change of curve occurs, the only difference being that in this figure it is both before and after the turn, instead of on one side only. The turns must be placed on the long axis, and the distance from the cusp to the transverse axis should be nearly that of the total width of the figure. This figure is frequently skated in H. GRENANDER. INSIDE FORWARD EIGHT. such a way that the distance from cusp to cusp is not much more than the width of the figure, which is quite incorrect.

Free Skating. - This is the harmonious combination of edges, turns, pirouettes, &c., skated in field: it differs from the school figures in that the skater has the whole rink at his disposal instead of a small portion of it.

This section of international skating will bring out the individuality of the skater and also exercise his ingenuity in the invention of new figures and combination of figures.

The time allowed for free skating for the World's Championship is five minutes; therefore, we shall take this as a basis for building up a programme. In Competitions, marks in Free Skating are allotted as follows: (a) For the difficulty and variety of the programme performed; (b) for the manner of performance, harmonious composition. sureness, carriage and movement. In each case with the numbers o to 6, of which o not skated, 2=pass, 4=good, 6= faultless. The marks given for (a) and (b) are added together.

From the above rules for marking, it will readily be seen that a programme should be made up of figures well within the powers of the skater. It is far easier to get full [SKATING marks for the manner of performance (a) than for difficulty and variety (b).

An easy programme well executed is a pleasure to the skater and the onlookers, whereas a difficult programme indifferently carried out is most unsatisfactory to the performer and jars on the nerves of the onlooker. The reason that it is easier to obtain full marks for the manner of performance rather than for difficulty and variety of the programme is easy to understand. The ideal performance is well within the range of human imagination, whereas a programme of infinite difficulty is quite beyond the bounds of imagination.

In the former case it is possible to draw an imaginary comparison, in the latter no comparison can be attempted.

Further, it is more probable that an onlooker will fail to observe some difficult movement, than that he will miss seeing a stumble or a figure badly executed. The skater must not think after reading this that no difficulty is required in a free skating programme, because it is obvious that the more difficult movements introduced into a programme the better, provided always that these have been thoroughly practised and are well within the power of the skater.

The art of running correctly on skates should be studied before attempting to compose a programme. The correct method is to take quick short steps, always from the inside edge of the skate, with the knees slightly bent, the toes turned outwards and the body slightly inclined forward.

The skater should feel when running correctly as if the short steps were being taken to recover the loss of balance, caused by the forward inclination of the body, and not as a means of propulsion. The running steps must be made from the side, and not from the toe of the skate; running on the toes destroys the ice surface, and is contrary to all tenets of international skating. The rules for form should be e closely closely adhered to, although in free skating some little latitude is allowed.

Care should be taken to ensure the absence of monotony when composing a free programme, to study the movements which are to form its component parts, and separate those of a similar character by the imposition of strong contrasts. Every programme should contain some striking incidents, such as jumps, pirouettes, &c., but these must be introduced judiciously with due regard for the skater's physical strength. Thus, jumps should be introduced before the skater is tired, as a jump feebly executed is an abomination; pirouettes, which are less tiring, may be placed later in the programme.

The usual method of starting a free SKATING] programme is by means of a spiral, which is very effective if skated in good form, and more especially when continued until the initial impetus has been expended, or until the figure is complete, that is, when the skater has reached a point at which the progressive force is lost and only rotary force remains. Two or three spirals are often introduced, as the skater will find these very useful to recover his breath after some energetic figures performed at high speed.

The spiral, although it requires very little lung energy, will be found to be a great strain on the muscles of the leg; therefore it is wise to skate the second spiral on the left foot if the first has been on the right, thus equalising the strain on the muscles of the right and left legs; in fact, this holds good throughout the whole programme.

Figures should be chosen that will give both feet equal work. "Grape vines" are very effective when skated with a certain amount of dash. These are very much practised in Canada and America, and are all skated with both feet on the ice at the same time.

The best known vines are the "Philadelphia" and "Pennsylvania"; there are, however, a great many more, all of which will be found in the skating handbooks.

Steps should be practised that can be skated in time with the music selected by the skater for the free programme. At first well-known steps, such as the "Viennese" or "Jackson Haines" waltzes, the "Schiller March," &c., must be used until the skater has invented steps of his own to substitute for these hackneyed ones.

One-footed figures, such as stars, used to be a feature of free programmes some few years ago, but these have been abandoned by almost every skater in recent competitions. It seems a great pity to cut out this class of figure, for no form of skating calls for exacter balance or more perfect control of the body and limbs. One thing against the star figures seems to be that their introduction is apt to break the continuity of the performance, although we have seen Mr.

Grenander execute star figures of great difficulty without in any way interfering with the rhythmical flow of the combination of movements. Another reason seems to be that some of the weaker skaters have eliminated these star figures on account of the strain imposed on the tracing leg; there is no doubt that these figures require a great amount of muscular endurance, especially in the skating of the Engleman's star (Fig. 10), MR. BEAUMONT PULLING OUT OF BACK OUTSIDE LOOP. which was a great feature in Herr Salchow's programme a few years ago.

When speaking of the spiral, it was pointed out that this figure was a good rest for the lungs. All figures, dancesteps, &c., will be found to vary very much in the amount of energy required by different parts of the body; therefore, caution should be observed in the building of a programme in order to separate those figures which require undue strain on the same muscles. Running should be avoided as much as possible, and speed should rather be gained by some progressive skating steps, as the harmony of a performance may easily be spoilt by excessive running. The spread eagle is an excellent figure to practise, for when a skater attains proficiency in this he will find no difficulty at all in maintaining good form as far as his unemployed leg is concerned, i.e., in keeping it turned outwards from the hip.

A last word of advice before leaving the subject of Free Skating. Whatever size rink may be allotted to the skater, let him cover it well with his figures, and not allow them to become concentrated in one small portion.

The whole performance should conclude with a spiral or some other figure which ends with a suggestion of finality. To make the finale a movement which might be the prelude to something else is to give the spectator the impression that the performer will go on skating as soon as he can remember what comes next.

LIF [SKATING within the power of the weaker skater of the pair. When passing from one movement to another, some steps must be introduced which will bring the pair into position for the coming movement, and these must be made to keep time to the music selected, just as much as those in any definite movement, such as the "Haynes Waltz," &c.

LIF Special Figure Skating. - This branch of skating was introduced by the I.S.U. when star and onefooted figures were omitted from free skating programmes by single skaters, the idea being still to encourage this extremely difficult branch of the art by holding com-- petitions for these figures.

A competition of this sort was held at the Olympic Games, London, 1908, in addition to the other competition s.

Some of the figures then skated are OLYMPIC GAMES, 1908. SPECIAL FIGURES SKATED BY MR. NICHOLAS PANIN. shown in the accompanying diagrams.

These diagrams speak for themselves, and show that the chief point in this branch of skating is the difficulty of the figure executed.

ROF ROF OLYMPIC GAMES, 1908. SPECIAL FIGURES SKATED BY MR. ARTHUR CUMMING. RFO RFI OLYMPIC GAMES, 1908. SPECIAL FIGURES SKATED BY MR. G. N. E. HALL-SAY. Pair Skating. This has of late years become a very popular branch of skating, both with skaters and with onlookers. The advice given to the skater on free skating will equally well apply to pair skaters, but there are one or two special hints that may be found useful.

In the selection of a programme, no movements should be attempted that are not well In order to explain this, take the following example. The pair wish to skate a spiral, followed by the "Haynes Waltz." Some steps will be necessary at the end of the spiral to get the pair in position for the waltz, and in order to skate these two movements cora rectly in programme there must be no perceptible ending to the spiral or beginning to the waltz, and the pair should just drift from the spiral into the waltz without break or stop. This is a golden rule for the whole of the pair - skating program me; the movements must be welded together to form a finished performance, and not be a collection of disjointed figures. Rhythm and accurate timing are two most essential points to be observed in pair skating.

The pair who skate with no rhythm and with clumsy timing one with the other, must at once mend their ways or break up the pair and take to single skating only.

It is quite possible that both performers SKATING] may shine as single skaters, but unless they can obtain the rhythm and accurate timing they will never be pair skaters.

The charm of a pair-skating performance is greatly enhanced by the figures, &c., being executed at high speed, provided that the rhythm is not broken thereby.

An important factor from a spectacular point is the correct placing of the programme on the rink, and also the keeping of the relative positions of the pair one to the other in any movement. As regards the correct placing, the figures should be spread out in such a way that the skaters are continually covering the whole of the rink, and do not stay an undue length of time on any particular portion of the rink. As regards keeping correct relative positions: suppose MR. AND MRS. GRENANDER. a pair are doing some movement which ought to take them down the centre of the rink, then care should be taken that they skate down the centre, and not down one side or the other or diagonally. Again, if they should be skating a figure apart from one another, and one skater is, say, six feet from the side of the rink, then the other skater should be six feet from the opposite side.

International competitions are generally restricted to pairs consisting of a lady and gentleman, and had we followed this rule in England sooner we should certainly have had more competition in senior pair skating, whereas since 1906 there has been no challenge for the Figure Skating Club senior pair-skating trophy. This can be accounted for by the fact that the junior pair skating has been open to any junior pairs, and the seniors restricted to mixed pairs.

The Figure Skating Club has to be heartily thanked for the encouragement given to the International Style of skating in England, and is also to be congratulated on results obtained by its members.

International Figure Skating in England THE EVOLUTION ON THE SKATE (i). 1. Bone skate. 2. Early blade skate, 17th century. 3. German skate, 1800. 2 3 would in the last few years have remained in the semi-dormant state of the English Style of Figure Skating had it not been for the enthusiastic encouragement given to it by the executive of Prince's Skating Club, whose ice has never failed for one single day since the opening of the Club.

Skates. The style of skate best adapted for the use of the International Style figure skaters is one that is a permanent fixture on the boot, i.e., secured to the sole and heel of the boot by a number of screws.

The question as to whether the roundtoed skate or the pointed one is the better must be decided by the skater himself; should the pointed one be chosen, the curve of the skate should be of about 5 feet 6 inches radius until about two inches from the point, where the radius should be considerably reduced. Should the skater prefer the round-toed skate the radius should be about 5 feet 6 inches until it runs off into the small curve at the toe.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE SKATE (ii). 4. English skate, 1850. 5. English skate, present day. 6. Jackson Haines skate. 4 6 5 The above photos show the evolution of the skate since the days when it was made from the cannon bone of a horse to the present day.

J. H. JOHNSON.

INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Only those competitions which are held under the auspices of the International Skating Union confer a real title to an international championship of Europe or of the World. The Championship of Europe, which was held by the Union in 1891-1895, was thrown open in 1896 as the Championship of the World. In 1898 it was decided to revive the lesser competition, in the hope of encouraging young skaters to come forward.

The first Championships of the Union for Ladies and for Pair Skating were held in 1906 and 1908 respectively.

The Championships have been won as lows:- Championship of Europe. fol- 1891. Hamburg. -O. Uhlig (Berliner Eislauf- Verein). 1892. Vienna.-Ed. Engelmann (Training Eisclub, Wien). [SKATING 1897. Stockholm.-G. Hügel (Wiener E. V.). 1898. London.-H. Grenander (S.A.S.). 1899. Davos.-G. Hügel (I.S.C.D.). 1900. Davos.-G. Hügel (I.S.C.D.). 1901. Stockholm.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1902. London.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1903. St. Petersburg. - U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1904. Berlin.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1905. Stockholm.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1906. Munich.-G. Fuchs (M.E.V.). 1907. Vienna.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1908. Troppau.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1909. Stockholm.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1910. Davos.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.).

Ladies' Championship of the I.S.U. 1906. Davos. Mrs. E. M. Syers (Figure Skating Club). 1907. Vienna. - Mrs. E. M. Syers (F.S.C.). 1908. Troppau. - Fräulein Kronberger (Budapester E. V.). MR. AND MRS. J. H. JOHNSON. PAIR SKATING. 1893. Berlin.-Competition annulled by vote of I.S.U. 1894. Vienna.-Ed. Engelmann (T.E.C.). 1895. Budapest.-T. von Földváry (Budapester Eislauf-Verein). 1896-1897.-Competition was not held. 1898. Trondhjem.-U. Salchow (Stockholms Allmänna Skridskoklub). (Stockholms 1899. Davos.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1900. Berlin.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1901. Vienna.-G. Hügel (Intern. Schlittschuh- Club, Davos). 1902-1903.-Competition was not held. 1904. Davos.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.).

Verein). 1909. Budapest. -Fräulein Kronberger (B.E.V.). 1910. Berlin.-Fräulein Kronberger (B.E.V.).

Pair Skating Championship of the I.S.U. 1908. St. Petersburg. - Fräulein Hübler and H.

Burger (M.E.V.). 1909. Stockholm. -Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Johnson (F.S.C.). 1910. Berlin. Fräulein Hübler and H. Burger (M.E.V.).

The Swedish Challenge Cup.

In 1902 Col. Balek, President of the I.S.U., 1905. Bonn.-Max Bohatsch (Wiener Eislauf- presented this cup to the N.S.A. in the name of 1906. Davos.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1907. Berlin.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1908. Warsaw.-E. Herz (C. E. V. Wien). 1909. Budapest.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.). 1910. Berlin.-U. Salchow (S.A.S.).

Championship of the World. 1896. St. Petersburg. - G. Fuchs (Münchner Eislauf-Verein). the Stockholms Allmänna Skridskoklub.

Winners. 1903. Mrs. Syers, Figure Skating Club (London). 1904. Mrs. Syers, Figure Skating Club (London).

In the year 1905 the N.S.A. decided to make this competition the Championship of Great Britain in the International Style.

SKATING] Winners. 1905. H. Torromé, Figure Skating Club (London). 1906. H. Torromé, Figure Skating Club (London). 1907. J. K. Greig, Figure Skating Club (London). 1908. Mrs. Greenhough Smith, Figure Skating Club (London). 1909. J. K. Greig, Figure Skating Club (London). 1910. J. K. Greig, Figure Skating Club (London).

N.S.A. FIGURE SKATING TESTS.

There are three tests in the International Style :-Third Class, Second Class, and First Class, open to all members of the N.S.A.

The number of these tests passed since their establishment in 1902 is:- First Class. 4 Second Class. Third Class. 180 18 We think it will be useful to skaters to know all about these tests. We therefore give below a copy of the N.S.A. Test Cards for the International Style. CERTIFICATE OF THE FIRST CLASS ICE FIGURE SKATING TEST (INTERNATIONAL STYLE).

No candidate shall be judged for this test unless he has passed the Second Class test.

Three judges must be present at the examination of a candidate. A candidate who has failed cannot compete again for a week, without the written permission of the previous judges. The test must all be passed on the same day, or, with the permission of the judges, on two consecutive days.

Compulsory Figures.

Each figure may be marked up to a maximum of 6 points. The marks given for each figure are multiplied by the factor of value for that figure. In order to pass a candidate must obtain a minimum of 2 marks out of 6 in each figure, and an aggregate of 190 out of the maximum of 336 marks.

In order to pass a candidate must obtain 7 marks for (a) and (b) together.

The marks for the Compulsory figures and the Free Skating are arrived at by taking the total marks of the three judges and dividing by three.

Judges may use half marks.

MRS. GREENHOUGH SMITH. OUTSIDE BACK TOE SPIN.

COMPULSORY FIGURES. ... ... ... ... ...

I.S.U.

Fac- Marks. tor. Total. 3 3 4 ((a) RfoRK-LboRK ... ... ...

Rockers... (b) LfoRK-RboRK.. (a) RfiRK-LbiRK ((6) LfiRK-RbiRK ... ... ... ... 4 Counters ((a) RfoC-LboC (b) LfoC-RboC. ... ... ... 2 2 (a) RfiC-LbiC ... ... 3 ((6) LfiC-RbiC .. ... ... 3 Three Change f(a) RboTfiol-LbiTfoiT Three 3 ((6) Lbol fioT-Rbi l'foiT 3 ((a) RfoLPfoi LP-LfiL PfioLP.. 4 Loop Change (6) LfoL Pfoi LP-R fil. PfioLP 4 Loop (a) RhoLPboiLP-LbiLPbio LP 5 ((6) LboLPboi LP-KbiLPbioLP 5 Bracket Change ((a) RfoBbio B-Lfi BboiB ... ... 4 Bracket (6) LfoBbioB-RfiBboiB... 4 R = Right.

B Bracket.

L = Left. f = Forwards.

RK = Rocker. b Backwards.

C = Counter. 0 = Outside.

LP = Loop. i = Inside.

INSIDE FORWARD EDGE. MEN PAIR SKATING.

Free Skating.

The candidate will be required to skate a free programme, of three minutes' duration.

This will be marked- (a) For the contents of the programme (difficulty and variety) up to a maximum of 6 marks. (b) For the manner of performance up to a maximum of 6 marks.

CERTIFICATE OF THE SECOND CLASS ICE FIGURE SKATING TEST (INTERNATIONAL STYLE).

No candidate shall be judged for this test unless he has passed the Third Class test.

Three judges must be present at the examination of a candidate. A candidate who has failed cannot compete again for a week, without the written permission of the previous judges. The test must all be passed on the same day, or, with the permission of the judges, on two consecutive days.

Compulsory Figures.

Each figure may be marked up to a maximum of 6 points. The marks given for each figure are multiplied by the factor of value for that figure. In order to pass a candidate must obtain a minimum of 2 marks out of 6 in each figure, and an aggregate of 130 out of the maximum of 234 marks.

Free Skating.

The candidate will be required to skate a free programme, of three minutes' duration.

This will be marked- (a) For the contents of the programme (difficulty and variety) up to a maximum of 6 marks. (b) For the manner of performance up to a maximum of 6 marks.

In order to pass a candidate must obtain 7 marks for (a) and (b) together.

The marks for the Compulsory figures and the Free Skating are arrived at by taking the total marks of the three judges and dividing by three.

Judges may use half marks.

Figure. ... ...

Eight Change ... ...

Three ...

COMPULSORY FIGURES.

Rbi-Lbi... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

I.S.U.

Fac- Marks. tor. Total. 2 2 2 2 22 ... ...

I ... ... ...

Double Three.

J(a) Rboi-Lbio (6) Lboi-Rbio ((a) RfoTbi-LbiTfo (6) LfoTbi-LbiTfo RboTfiT-LboTfiT Change Three (a) RfoiT-LboiT (6) LfoiT-RboiT Change Three ((a) RfioT-LbioT ((0) LfioT-RbioT RfoLP-Lfo LP RfiLP-LfiLP RboLP-LboLP RbiLP-1 biLP ... .. .... ... ... [SKATING (as the long axis of the figure a line is to be conceived which divides each circle into two equal parts; a transverse axis cuts the long axis at right angles between two circles); approximately equal size of all circles, and of all curves before and after all turns; symmetrical grouping of the individual parts of the figure about the axes; curves without wobbles, skated out, that is, returning nearly to the starting point. Threes with the turns lying in the long axis; changes of edge with an easy transition, the change falling in the long axis.

Each figure may be marked up to a maximum of 6 points. In marking, there shall be considered, firstly, correct tracing on the ice; secondly, carriage and action; thirdly, approximately accurate covering of the previous traces in repeating the figure; fourthly, size of the figure.

In order to pass, a candidate must obtain a minimum of two marks in each figure and an aggregate of 20 out of the maximum of 36 marks.

These marks must be obtained from each judge.

Judges may use half marks. ... ... ...

FIGURES. 2 2 Eight ... ... ...

Rfo-Lfo ... ... ... ... 3 Eight ... ... ...

Rfi-Lfi... ... ... ... ... 3 Eight ... ...

Rbo-Lbo ... ... ... ... 2 2 Change...

J(a) Rfoi-Lfio 007 ... ... ... ... ... ... (6) Lfoi-Rfio ... ... 2 Threes ... ... ...

RfoTbi-LfoThi... ... 2 Loop ... .... ...

Loop ... ... .... ...

Loop Loop ... ... ... .... .. ... ... ... ... ...

Bracket ...

J(a) RoB-LbiB (6) LfoB-RbiB ... ... ... ... 3 ... ... 3 One-foot Eight() Lfoi-Rfio J(a) Rfoi-Lfio ... ... 2 ... ... ... 2 R = Right. f = Forwards. b = Backwards. 0 = Outside. i = Inside.

R = Right.

L = Left.

T Three. i ... ... ... ... ... ... f = Forwards. b = Backwards. o = Outside. = Inside.

Marks.

L = Left.

T = Three.

LP = Loop. + B = Bracket.

CERTIFICATE OF THE THIRD CLASS ICE FIGURE SKATING TEST (INTERNATIONAL STYLE).

Two judges must be present at the examination of a candidate. A candidate who has failed cannot compete again for a week, without the written permission of the previous judges. The test must all be passed on the same day.

The test must be skated in good form, directions for which are:- Carriage upright but not stiff; the body not bent forwards or sideways at the waist; all raising or lowering of the body being effected by bending the knee of the tracing leg with upright back; the body and limbs generally held sideways to the direction of progress. The head always upright. Tracing leg flexible with bent knee. The eyes looking downwards as little as possible. The knee and toe of the free leg turned outwards as far as possible, the toe always downwards; the knee only slightly bent. The free leg swinging freely from the hip and assisting the movement. The arms held easily, and assisting the movement; the hands neither spread nor clenched.

All action of the body and limbs must be easy and swinging, with the direct object of assisting the movement of the moment; violent or stiff motions are to be avoided, the figure should seem to be executed without difficulty.

The figures must be begun from rest, that is, by a single stroke with the other foot; and at the intersecting point of two circles. Every figure must be repeated three times consecutively. Every stroke should be taken from the edge of the blade, not from the point.

The essentials of correct tracing are:- Maintenance of the long and transverse axes I.S.U. REGULATIONS.

GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR FIGURE COMPETITIONS.

A.-GENERAL.

An International Amateur Competition can only be held on the basis of the conditions laid down by the I.S.U.

A skater is not recognised as an amateur, if he has since January 1st, 1893- (a) practised in his own person any sporting bodily exercise as a means of gain (gymnastic and fencing instructors excepted); (b) practised or taught skating for money (excepted are the bare repayment of hotel and travelling expenses by his own Club or Association or by the Club or Association holding the competition; in the latter case, they may not be repaid directly to the skater, but only through the Club or Association which nominated him); (c) sold or pledged prizes won in sporting competitions; (d) knowingly and without protest started in an open skating competition against a competitor who is not an amateur according to these regulations.

The rehabilitation of a professional skater as amateur can only be pronounced by the Council of the I.S.U. at the request of a member of the I.S.U. The skater thus rehabilitated may take part in no open skating competition within a year of his rehabilitation.

In International Junior Competitions, a Junior is one who before the first of October in the calendar year of the announcement of the competition has not been a winner except in club competitions, junior competitions for skaters under 16, and matches.

The international competitions instituted by members of the I.S.U. are only open to such skaters as belong to the I.S.U., with the exception SKATING] of the World Championships, which are open to amateurs of all countries, and the European Championships, which are open to amateurs of Europe.

A skater may only be entered by one and the same Club or Association in the course of a season; exceptions are permissible with the consent of the Council of the I.S.U. an- Skaters who belong to the Associations and Clubs of the Union may only take part in competitions announced by members of the Union. If an amateur knowingly takes part in an international competition which has not been nounced by a member of the Union, he can be disqualified by the Council for a certain time from taking part in any international competition and from holding any official post at such competitions as are held by members of the Union. arrived are to be announced at a meeting of the Committee of the Competition; at the same time the public drawing of the starting numbers is also to be held.

A competition falls through, if at least three competitors have not entered, or if at least two of them do not appear at the start. In this case the entrance fees are to be repaid to those who appeared at the start.

All competitions for a Championship or Challenge prize are excluded from this limitation. In International Amateur Competitions medals or prizes of honour may alone be given. The latter must have the character of true prizes of honour. Orders on tradesmen are forbidden.

The number of the prizes available for distribution must not be higher than the number of competitors entered, less two. Championship and HERR ULRICH SALCHOW. FREE SKATING.

The entries must include: 1 (a) the designation of the competition, (b) the name of the Club or Association making the entry, (c) the name and age of the competitor, (d) a certificate of amateur status from the Club or Association making the entry.

Pseudonyms are permitted, but must be accompanied by the correct name. The entries must be made through the Association or Club concerned, and are to be forwarded in writing or by telegram to the place designated in the announcements of the competition; all entries arriving after 8 p.m. of the day settled for closure of entries are to be treated as post-entries, for which a double entrance fee is to be paid..

All post-entries must be made before the beginning of the first heat. The entrance fee is to accompany the entry, and is returnable only in the event of the competition in question not being held.

Withdrawal of an entry is permitted before the closure of entries without forfeit. After that, the entrance money is considered as forfeited.

After closure of the entries, those which have VOL. IV Challenge prizes are not subject to this limitation. Postponement of the day of competition necessitates an extension of the closure of entries for a corresponding period. The postponement is, when possible, to be announced to the Clubs entering, so promptly that a withdrawal of the entries can arrive before the new closure of entries.

The Councils of the members of the I.S.U. and the official papers must also be advised at once of the postponement.

All competitors are responsible for notifying their local addresses to the Committee.

If a Club or Association withdraws its announcement, it is compelled to communicate its reasons to the Committee of the I.S.U. within a week.

The Association or Club holding the competition nominates of its free choice (except for limitations applying to Championships). For Speed Competitions: a Referee (World and European Championships excepted), a Starter, a Goal Judge, a Time-keeper, two Time-checkers; also, Lap-counters and Course-keepers.

For Figure Competitions: a Referee (World, European, Ladies' and Pair Championships ex- N cepted), an uneven number of Judges not less than five, and the necessary Course-keepers for the summoning of the skaters, the announcement of the compulsory figures, the timing of the free skating, and the orderly conduct of the competition in other ways.

In the World and European Championships and in the Ladies' and Pair Championships of the I.S.U., the office of Referee is held by the Committee of the I.S.U. Every member of the I.S.U. has to communicate to the Council of the I.S.U. the names of its Judges in Figure Skating for the coming season annually before November 15th; the lists forwarded must be communicated to the members by the Council of the I.S.U. Protests against one or more Judges may be raised by the Associations and Clubs within a fortnight; after this time the Council accepts those proposed as Judges, or rejects them, giving reasons therefor. The Jury for all International Competitions in Figure Skating can only be composed of the Judges thus recognised. Every member of the I.S.U. is entitled to send one recognised Judge to the World, European, Ladies', and Pair Championships; if the number of Judges thus sent does not amount to five, the Club or Association holding the competition has to complete the number up to five. Exceptions to this are only allowed with the consent of the Council of the I.S.U. The Referee decides on all protests which may occur, and other matters of dispute, except those concerning the start; he is empowered to decide also on any breaches of rules which may occur, even without a protest having been raised, and if necessary to exclude individuals from the competition. From his decisions there is no appeal. The Referee for Figure Skating is also Foreman of the Jury, but does not mark with them as such.

The Referee decides whether the condition of the ice allows of the holding of a competition; he is empowered to introduce alterations into the programme, and can, if unfavourable conditions arise, alter the shape and size of the course, or cause a quite new course to be laid out at any place of his selection.

Protests must be lodged with the Referee immediately after the skating, with the deposit of a sum equal to a single entrance fee for the competition concerned; objections which come in later can receive no consideration.

Protests can only be lodged:

I. by those nominated for the competition concerned, or 2. by members of the Committee of the competition, or 3. by representatives of those Clubs or Associations which have entered.

Objection to the admission of a competitor must be lodged before the competition; if an immediate decision cannot be arrived at, the competitor is permitted to start, but meanwhile the announcement of the results of the competition and the distribution of the prizes are to be deferred till the decision has been made. All obiections are to be confirmed in writing if desired. The amount deposited lapses to the funds of the competition, in case that the Referee rejects the protest as unfounded.

The competitors are bound to submit themselves in every respect to the directions of the Referee, Starter. and Course-keepers.

A fall is [in itself] no bar to a win in any branch. For personal accidents which arise through fault of the skater, no allowance can be made by the Judges.

A skater who is interfered with, through no [SKATING fault of his own, may be allowed by the Referee to start again, or in Figure Skating to begin again the figure in question.

The Committee undertakes no sort of responsibility for risks run by the skaters. Failure to appear promptly at the start is equivalent to resignation of the race. The result of the competition is to be made known at latest on the day after the races. The Committee has to communicate the detailed results of the competition to the Council of the I.S.U. within a fortnight.

B. CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The announcement and conduct of championship competitions in observance of the conditions settled by these regulations, are the particular province of the Club or Association announcing or instituting the competition. The announcement must, however, be submitted to the Council of the I.S.U. for approval before publication.

The entrance fee for the Championships of the World and Europe and the Ladies' and Pair Championships amounts to ten shillings. It is not permitted to enter for separate sections.

The winner of a Championship bears the title "Champion of the World (or of Europe) in Figure Skating for (year of the achievement)," similarly "Lady Champion of the I.S.U." or Champion Pair of the I.S.U. for 66 دو The Associations or Clubs instituting the competitions have to provide the Championship medal according to the pattern determined by Council of the I.S.U.; and members of the I.S.U. must not give for other contests any medals which resemble the Championship medals.

For the days for which the Championship of the World and of Europe and the Ladies' or Pair Championships are announced, members of the I.S.U. must announce no other international races of a similar character.

The dates of holding the Championships must be communicated to the Council and by them to the members at latest by November Ist.

When possible, the Championship of the World shall be held after that of Europe.

Regulations for Figure Skating Competitions.

Associations and Clubs which belong to the I.S.U. may only hold International figure skating competitions on the basis of such conditions as are recognised by the I.S.U.

If recognition in International figure skating competitions is desired for any particular set of Regulations for Competitions, they are to be sent in to the Council of the I.S.U. The Council decides to recognise or not to recognise them after testing the proposed Regulations; and in case of approval undertakes publication.

Non-recognition, however, may only take place if the proposed Regulations conflict with the Constitution [of the I.S.U.] or with the general part of these present Regulations for Competitions.

If two or more different [sets of] Regulations are recognised by the I.S.U., the Club announcing [the competition] has the right of free choice between them, but must state in the announcement which of the recognised Regulations the competition will follow. The World and European Championships, however, and the Ladies' and Pair Championships of the Í.S.U. can only be carried out according to the Regulations designated by the I.S.U. for such.

The I.S.U. publishes the following as approved for International Competitions, and as alone valid for Championships of Europe and the World, and for the Ladies' and Pair Championships of the I.S.U.

SKATING A.-GENERAL.

In International figure skating competitions are to be distinguished: (1) Individual skating; (2) Pair Skating; (3) Group skating. In Pair skating only similarly constituted pairs (lady and gentleman, two ladies, or two gentlemen), and the Group skating only groups of similar number and constitution, may compete against one another. Individual figure skating is divided into (a) the skating of prescribed exercises (compulsory figures) and (b) the skating of optional figures up to a maximum number of successive minutes (free skating). The adjudication of the prizes follows from the whole number of marks attained in both divisions. The Club holding the competition may give a separate prize for achievement in either division. In order to win a Championship (title and medal) the victor must have obtained the minimal mark "good"=4 from a majority of Judges for at least two-thirds of the compulsory figures and for the free skating. It is not permitted to enter for one division only.

THE TATE LIBRARY, BRIXTON, S.W. (b) Left, are to be skated in both forms (a) and (b). For the World and European Championhips, the following elements-Change, Three, Double Three, Loop, Rocker, Counter, Bracket; for the Ladies' Championship, Curve Eight, Change, Loop, Three, Two threes, Bracket, and either Rocker or Counter-must be included in one at least of the figures selected. Apart from this the choice of compulsory figures is left to the wishes of the Association holding the competition.

All competitors skate the same figure, after it has been loudly announced, one after the other as his name is called, in the order of the starting numbers, as drawn by lot. But post entries skate in the reversed order of arrival of their entries.

After each figure, the order is so far changed that the competitor, who before was first, now has the last place. An exception to this may be made when only two competitors start, but only with the consent of both. Every competitor has to begin his figure at latest two minutes after his name has been called, otherwise the figure will be marked to him as "not skated." [From "The Art of Skating," by permission of Irving Brokaw, Esq. K. GREIG (LONDON) COMPETING FOR THE ENGADINE BOWL, ST. MORITZ, 1909. The compulsory figures must be skated, if possible, at some other period of day than the free figures, in any case before them; if possible, on the same or the preceding day.

Pair and Group skating consists of free figures only.

The announcement [of an International competition in figure skating] must be made at least three weeks before the day fixed for the competition, and at latest by the first of December, in the German, English, or French language. It must contain (a) announcement of the place where the competition will be held, as also of the natural or artificial character of the ice-surface to be used; (b) the amount of the entrance fee, and the character of the prizes; (c) dates of closing the entries, and of the competition; (d) for individual skating-statements of the compulsory figures, of the time allowed for free skating, of the number of marks attainable in both divisions, and of the factor for free skating; (e) for Pair and Group skating-the constitution of the Pairs or Groups, and the maximum time allowed for the skating; (f) supplementary conditions of any kind.

The Judges have to mark independently of one another, each on a table of the character appended.

B.-COMPULSORY FIGURES.

The compulsory figures are to be selected from the diagrams appended, and to be at least six in number. Figures which begin (a) Right and Every compulsory figure can only be begun "from rest," that is, by a single stroke off the other foot (free foot); the commencement must be made at the crossing-point of the eight. The change from one foot to the other must be made without pause by putting down the free, now tracing, foot, and a simple stroke with the lately tracing, now free, foot. Every figure must be repeated three times, both on the right and left foot; the repetition follows without pause, as above.

Every compulsory figure is marked with the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; of which o="not skated," 2="pass," 4="good," 6=" faultless"; 1, 3, and 5 are intermediate values. Half-points are also allowed as further intermediate values. In assigning a mark, there ranks, in the first place, correct tracing on the ice; in the second, carriage and movement; in the third, size of figure; in the fourth, approximately accurate covering of the traces in the triple repetition. These four points of view count as of descending importance in the foregoing order.

As rules for correct tracing are to be regarded:

Maintenance of the long and transverse axes in the triple repetition (as long axis of the eight a line is to be conceived, which passes longitudinally through the middle of the eight, dividing it right and left into two equal halves; the transverse axis passes at right angles to the long axis through the middle of the eight); approximately equal size of N 2 the first and second halves of the eight, divided by the transverse axis; symmetrical grouping of the individual parts of the figure about the axis; curves without sub-curves, skated out to the end, that is, returning nearly to the starting point; threes with the turns lying in the long axis, second curve approximately of the same size as the first; double threes with the middle curve cutting the long axis at right angles, the three curves of nearly equal size; loops longer than broad, without sharp angle, with their long axis lying in the long axis of the eight, second curve approximately of the same size as the first; changes of edge with an easy transition, the change falling in the (long) axis; when skated out to a full eight, the change of edge coming near the starting point of the first curve, second curve returning to the same point, approximately of the same size as the first; rockers and counters without change of edge, the turn near the axis; brackets without change of edge before and after the turn, turn on the axis, first and second curves approximately of equal size.

As rules of correct carriage and movement in skating the compulsory figures (within which rules the individuality of the skater receives free play and all possible consideration on the part of the Judges) are to be regarded :- Upright carriage, not bent at the hips, but without being stiff. Strong bending of knee or body to be only momentary; head upright. Free foot to be held only a little way from the ice, not dragging behind; toe turned downwards and outwards, knee slightly bent, generally held behind the tracing foot; otherwise swinging freely and assisting the movement, but without being held far away. Arms hanging down, easily; like the free foot, they can be used to assist by their movement, but without raising elbow or hand far away from the body; hands, when possible, never above the waist. Fingers neither spread nor clenched.

In general, everything violent, angular, or stiff to be avoided in the movement; no effort is to be strongly expressed, but the impression that the figures are executed without trouble is to be aimed at.

C.-FREE SKATING.

In the free skating (alike in Individual, Pair, and Group skating), the competitors follow one another in the order of starting numbers as drawn by lot, but post entries skate first in the reversed order of the arrival of their entries. Each begins at a signal given to him by dropping a flag, from which the period of time at his disposal is reckoned. Every minute gone is announced to the skater by the call One, Two, &c., and by putting up the corresponding number. For the World and European Championships the period for free skating amounts to five, for the Ladies' Championship four, successive minutes. The area must be symmetrically bounded, and must measure at least thirty-five metres in one direction [114 feet]. • The free skating is marked (a) for the contents of the programme performed (difficulty and variety); (b) for the manner of performance (harmonious composition, sureness, carriage, and movement, &c.); in each case with the numbers o' to 6 with the same significance as in the compulsory figures. In Pair and Group skating accurate timing by the skaters is specially to be considered in addition under (b). D.-DETERMINATION OF THE RESULT.

In Individual skating, on each marking-card, in every compulsory figure, the mark given is multiplied by the factor of value which belongs to the [SKATING figure in question in proportion to its difficulty, and is to be taken from the appended diagrams of compulsory figures. The total sum of these products on each marking-card for each skater individually, gives the number of points for compulsory figures which he has earned with the individual Judge.

The marks given for free skating under (a) and (b) are added, and the sum multiplied by the factor stated in the announcement; the product is the number of points for free skating. The factor must be selected so that the highest possible points for free skating amount to about, but not more than, two-thirds of the highest possible for compulsory figures. The number of points for free skating plus the number of points for compulsory figures gives for each skater individually the total number of points which he has earned with the individual Judge.

Each Judge has to arrange the skaters in order, according to the total number of points given on his marking-card, so that the skater with the highest number of points receives the ordinal number I, the next the ordinal number 2, &c.

If two or more skaters are equal in the total points on the marking-card, the highest number of points for compulsory figures decides the ordinal number between them.

The winner is he who is placed first by an absolute majority of Judges. If no one has an absolute majority for him, the final result is obtained by adding the ordinary numbers assigned by the individual Judges. If two or more competitors are alike in the sum of the ordinal numbers, then the sum of the total number of points on the individual cards decides between them; if this leads to no decision, then the sum of the points for compulsory figures only [is to decide the question]. The second and third places are also decided on those principles.

In Pair and Group skating, the marks given for free skating under (a) and (b) are added, and the place-number on each separate markingcard determined by their sum. That Pair or Group is the winner which is set in the first place by an absolute majority of