Figure Skating Essentials - Ice Dancing

Last Updated: Friday, December 4, 2009 | 1:37 PM ET

CBC Sports

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada skate to victory in their free dance in the ice dance competition at the 2009 Homesense Skate Canada International in Kitchener on November 22, 2009. (Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty Images)

Since the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, the International Skating Union has been working hard to reverse its tainted image with a new judging system. Judges are required to evaluate the technical elements of the dance. In case of obvious judging inconsistency, a judge risks disqualification.

Each pair in the Olympic competition performs three dances: one compulsory dance, an original dance and a free dance. Compulsory dance is the skating of prescribed patterns to music incorporating pre-determined rhythm and tempo. Original dance and free dance are created by each couple to music of their own choice.

Judges take a holistic approach to evaluating performance, with an eye for blade-to-blade skating, edge control, footwork, holds and positioning. Deductions are noted for falls, excessive skating on two feet and separations exceeding five seconds.

Under the new scoring system, ice dancers have been incorporating more difficult moves, with more intricate footwork, in an effort to win higher marks. Sports writers are beginning to write about ice dancing as a true athletic sport, no longer as ballroom dancing on ice. Lifts are executed faster and the demand for complicated footwork is causing more couples to tumble. Ice dancing has a taken on a new, daring edge.

Equipment

Ice dancers' narrow skate blades are made of high carbon steel. Their' skates have a defined high heel to allow them to shift their weight forward, which helps the skaters control fast footwork and turns.

The skaters design their costumes to reflect the mood of their program. Women are required to wear a skirt and men must wear full-length pants. While ISU rules state that a costume must be "modest, dignified and appropriate for athletic competition," ice dancing costumes tend to be flamboyant and glittery.

Training

Ice dancers' workouts involve as much grit as they do grace.

"They spend a lot of time in a ballroom, in a jazz class, in a floor class, in a pilates class, plus all the time they spend on the ice, and I'm quite certain the majority of the guys have an off-ice strength program, as well," Martini says.

They work with choreographers and trainers and coaches to develop a repertoire of artistic, detailed and demanding routines. Skaters must also respond instinctively to their partner's actions. Skating together, the partners must also develop and match each other's intimate sense of focus, movement and spirit. It's how an elite ice dance couple can distinguish itself from the pack.

"When you're dealing with a pair or a dance team, it's what sets you apart from the rest of the crowd," Martini says. "You have that opportunity to have two individuals interact on an emotional level and hopefully engage the audience as well."