The Winter Olympics are wrapping up this Sunday, and what an action-packed event it's been! This week, the focus is on the ice as countries vie for medals in speed skating, bobsleigh, curling, and short track speed skating.
It's also a bustling week for figure skating. With events happening in all categories over the coming days, we wanted to explore this ever-growing sport more closely and delve into the popular culture surrounding it.
Figure skating became part of the Winter Olympic Games in 1908. It is divided into four categories: men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Within these categories, there is a wide range of moves, spins, and flips.
Let's explore some of the reasons why figure skating's popularity is increasing.
Dancing on Ice –
This year, in the UK, we witnessed the return of Dancing on Ice. It's a TV show where celebrities partner with professionals to learn how to, you guessed it, dance on ice! It's a fantastic way to see the intricacies of figure skating, learn some of the moves, and understand how challenging they can be to master. Dancing on Ice is now also available in eight other countries, but in the UK, you can catch it on Sundays at 6pm on ITV.
I, Tonya –
Released in the UK on Friday, 16 th February, I, Tonya is a biographical film that portrays the life of former figure skater Tonya Harding. Margot Robbie stars in the film and has earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in I, Tonya. Check your local cinema listings for times and dates to watch I, Tonya.
Blades of Glory –
In 2007, Will Ferrell and Jon Heder starred as the first-ever same-sex pairs team in this successful film. It's a hilarious comedy that highlights the dedication and skill needed for figure skating, with added humor from nearly every character. You can purchase Blades of Glory on DVD.
Torvill & Dean –
The British duo is famous for achieving the highest score in figure skating at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics. Since then, they competed professionally until around 1994 and are also the creators of the aforementioned Dancing On Ice.
Ice Rinks in the UK –
There are currently numerous ice rinks throughout the UK, encouraging young skaters to step onto the ice and give it a try. Additionally, they are popular during the Christmas season, with pop-up rinks appearing at various Christmas markets.
Kit –
While some sports require a lot of equipment to get started, figure skating is relatively simple. You just need to grab a pair of skates, and off you go! Of course, you'll need some ice too. If you're interested in trying this sport, we have the perfect bundle solution to get you ready. If you purchase your skates at SkateHut, we offer a Ice Skate Sharpening Service for new skates and stock SkateMate Ice Skate Sharpeners
