And now...performace art on ice 101, by Ren Clark

As the newest addition to Flagstaff Cultural Partners (as of December 17th of 2009), I'd like to think that I bring something unique to the table - a wealth of knowledge of a particular knack that only I could bestow unto my new and oh-so-fortunate co-workers. And I'd like to take this opportunity to award a similar tutorial to you! So without further ado and just in time to tune into the U.S. Figure Skating Championships this weekend (on NBC), I present....

Ren's Almanac of Figure Skating for the Non-Skater

First things first. I know you watch figure skating on tv. Don't even try to deny it, even if it is a seasonal guilty pleasure. It is one of the most-watched events of the Winter Olympics and at one point achieved higher tv ratings than the Super Bowl. I grew up figure skating at our local Jay Lively Ice Arena, putting in regular hours at the rink as long ago as when it was still only partially enclosed and was only open during cold, winter months. Come middle school though high school I entered the competition circuit in Phoenix and San Diego and expanded my "studies" to include Ice Dancing (aka, ballroom dance - on ice). Currently, though, at age 25 I have passed my competitive prime a good decade ago by today's standards, and my skating has taken a more recreational path which means I turn on the tv more often than I do on the ice.

So to prepare you for your viewing of the final US Championships for Men's and Ladies in Figure Skating, Pairs and Ice Dancing leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, I've prepared a small tutorial that will be just enough to make YOU the know-it-all the next time "Men's Freestyle" comes up in conversation:

• There are three different categories of popular ice skating: Freestyle (big jumps, fast spins, fancy footwork), Pairs (big jumps, fast spins fancy footwork...times two skaters), and Ice Dancing (jumps are scaled down, spins slow down but the footwork becomes the main focus of getting across the ice. And the costumes become more dramatic and full of flair.)

• In Freestyle skating, there are toe-jumps and edge jumps. Toe jumps require liftoff from the toepick on the blade to become airborne. Edge jumps are achieved from using the edge of the side of the blade to lift off. And having mad hops.

• It seems the most commonly known skating terms used by non-skaters are "salchow," "lutz" and "camel spin." I'm proud of you.
  

1. "Salchow" (pronounced sow-cow) is an edge jumped named after a Swedish guy who was the first to land the jump in competition near the start of the 20th century.
2. A "Lutz" is considered the trickiest of toe jumps because it requires a backwards takeoff on an outside edge that feels very unnatural. In other words, if you're a right-footed skater, you lean towards your right to take off (on your LEFT foot), but rotate towards your left. Not sticking the outside edge at take-off is referred to as a "flutz."
   
3. A "Camel Spin" is a freestyle spin in an arabesque, or spiral, position. That is to say that one spins on a straight leg while the other leg is extended elegantly at a ninety-degree or slightly higher angle to spinning leg while the upper body is arced at the back. Arced low, though, not high like a camel's. I can't say that I know where the moniker for this one comes from...

• In more competitive realms, skaters, pairs and dancers have a "long" and a "short" program. A long program (also known as the "free skate) is generally four to four-and-a-half minutes while a short program lasts a more physically comfortable two minutes and forty seconds. It's also known as the "technical program" because the main purpose is for the skater to pound out a series of required jumps and spins and a footwork pattern with little time left for gripping, edge-your-seat choreography. Or to breathe.
  

That should do it. I don't want to overwhelm you. Maybe once the Winter Olympics is closer to airing I'll be inspired to thrown down another tutorial. In the meantime, apply your newly-gained knowledge while lifting nothing but the remote and watch the Ladies Short Program.