130-508: Robin Szolkowy (born 14 July 1979) is a retired German pair skater . With partner Aliona Savchenko , he is the 2010 and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist , a five-time World champion ( 2008 , 2009 , 2011 , 2012 , 2014 ), a four-time European champion (2007–2009, 2011), a four-time Grand Prix Final champion ( 2007 , 2010 , 2011 , 2013 ), and an eight-time German national champion (2004–2009, 2011, 2014). Savchenko and Szolkowy scored
260-515: A step sequence . The sequence of the elements is optional. Like single skaters, the short programs of pair teams must be skated in harmony with the music, which they choose. The short program for pair skating was introduced at the 1963 European Championships , the 1964 World Championships , and the Olympics in 1968 ; previously, pair skaters only had to perform the free skating program in competitions. Wenjing Sui and Cong Han from China hold
390-442: A Skater with the result that the majority of his/her own body weight is on the ice supported by any other part of the body other than the blades; e.g. hand(s), knee(s), back, buttock(s) or any part of the arm". For pair skaters, one point is deducted for every fall by one partner, and two points are deducted for every fall by both partners. According to former American figure skater Katrina Hacker, falls associated with jumps occur for
520-399: A change of position. The number of revolutions in non-basic positions, which may be considered difficult variations, are counted towards the team's total number of revolutions. Only positions, whether basic or non-basic, must be performed by the partners at the same time. If a skater falls while entering into the spin, he or she can perform another spin or spinning movement immediately after
650-418: A clean catch by the male (accomplished by placing both hands at the woman's waist and without any part of her upper body touching him); and a one-foot exit executed by both partners. A pair team can make twist lifts more complicated when the woman executes a split position (each leg is at least 45° from her body axis and her legs are straight or almost straight) before rotating. They also can earn more points when
780-537: A different nature" and by other comparable movements and with a variety of holds and positions. The team does not have to always execute the same movements and can separate from time to time, but they have to "give an impression of unison and harmony of composition of program and of execution of the skating". They must limit movements executed on two feet, and must fully use the entire ice surface. The ISU also states, about how programs are performed by pair skating teams, "Harmonious steps and connecting movements, in time to
910-600: A farewell show in Chemnitz at the end of April. Thomas Lloyd ended its sponsorship, in July 2014. In July 2014, Szolkowy teamed up with Swiss skater Myriam Leuenberger to perform in ice shows. Considering a coaching career, he accepted Nina Mozer 's invitation to work alongside her in Russia. The contract ran from September 2014 to April 2015. In June 2015, Mozer announced that Szolkowy would continue working with her students for
1040-779: A few descriptions of pair skating in North America before World War I . Side-by-side skating, also called shadow skating, in which partners executed the same movements and steps in unison, were emphasized in the early 1920s. Pair skating became more athletic in the 1930s; partners executed "a balanced blend of shadow skating coupled with increasingly spectacular pair moves, including spins, death-spirals, and lifts". Hines credits German pair skaters Maxi Herber and Ernst Baier and French team Andrée Brunet and Pierre Brunet with developing athletic elements and programs that included pair spins, side-by-side spins, lifts, throw jumps, side-by-side jumps, and side-by-side footwork sequences. By
1170-570: A forward take-off. The solo spin combination must be performed once during the short program of pair skating competitions, with at least two revolutions in two basic positions. Both partners must include all three basic positions in order to earn the full points possible. There must be a minimum of five revolutions made on each foot. Spins can be commenced with jumps and must have at least two different basic positions, and both partners must include two revolutions in each position. A solo spin combination must have all three basic positions (the camel spin,
1300-447: A full extension and the woman begins to descend. A complete pair skating lift must include full extension of the lifting arm or arms, if required for the type of lift being performed. Small lifts, or ones in which the man does not raise his hands higher than his shoulders, or lifts that include movements in which the man holds the woman by the legs, are also allowed. The man must complete at least one revolution. The woman can perform both
1430-457: A full extension and when the woman begins to descend. Skate Canada calls twist lifts "sometimes the most thrilling and exciting component in pair skating". They can also be most difficult movement to perform correctly. Judges look for the following when evaluating twist lifts: speed at entry and exit; whether or not the woman performs a split position while on her way to the top of the twist lift; her height once she gets there; clean rotations;
SECTION 10
#17327876465841560-420: A jump combination or sequence. If they perform any or both jump or jumps incorrectly, only the incorrectly done jump is not counted and it is not considered a jump sequence or combination. Both partners can execute two solo jumps during their short programs, but the second jump is worth less points than the first. A jump attempt, in which one or both partners execute a clear preparation for a take-off but step to
1690-553: A mixed reaction, with one Canadian journalist describing them as "something that looked like the cat threw up", however, Szolkowy said he was pleased with the results of their collaboration with a Chemnitz design studio. On 8 November 2012, it was announced that Savchenko/Szolkowy had signed a three-year agreement with their first major sponsor, ThomasLloyd, a Swiss investment banking group. Szolkowy said that they no longer had to worry about finances. The pair said they were uncertain if they would compete at their second Grand Prix assignment,
1820-402: A muscle fiber in her left upper thigh as a result of a fall in training on 12 January 2012. Because she was not fully fit, the pair considered withdrawing from the 2012 European Championships (pairs event 25–26 January) or reducing the level of planned difficulty but said they feared a withdrawal would result in a one-year ban from competition if they performed in 2–8 February Art on Ice shows,
1950-558: A new entry to the triple. They attempted the throw triple Axel again in the short program at 2011 NHK Trophy but Savchenko took another hard fall. They finished third at the event. Savchenko/Szolkowy rebounded to win the 2011 Rostelecom Cup. They qualified for the 2011–12 Grand Prix Final . Although they did not attempt it in Russia , they said they had not ruled out the triple Axel. At the Grand Prix Final, Savchenko/Szolkowy won
2080-425: A new facility; and different skill levels when the partnership is formed. Silby estimates that due to the lack of effective communication among pair teams, there is a "six-fold increase in the risk of national-level figure skating teams splitting". Teams with strong skills in communication and conflict resolution, however, tend to produce "highest-placing finishers at national championship events". The short program
2210-685: A new world record for pairs' combined total under the ISU Judging System . It was also the first time a judge gave a 10.0 under the Code of Points . Their placements in their two 2009–10 Grand Prix events qualified them for the 2009–10 Grand Prix Final that was held in Tokyo , Japan , in December 2009. Savchenko/Szolkowy placed second in the short program with 73.14 points, 2.22 behind Shen Xue / Zhao Hongbo . However, they finished fourth in
2340-445: A nonbasic position first. They also have to execute a continuous movement throughout the change, without jumps to execute it, and they must hold the basic position for two revolutions both before and after the change. They lose points if they take a long time to reach the necessary basic position. Pair teams earn more points for performing difficult entrances and exits. An entrance is defined as "the preparation immediately preceding
2470-469: A point, finishing first overall to win their fourth European title ahead of 2010 champions Kavaguti/Smirnov. Their training ice was scheduled to be melted in late March, after they would normally have left for the World Championships , however, the competition was postponed to late April. They were able to get their ice time extended until Easter, with the city and sport association negotiating
2600-582: A significant source of income (around 80,000 euros) for the pair which receives no funding from the German federation. By the start of the competition, Savchenko was able to land jumps and throws but spins aggravated her injury, causing the pair to withdraw before the short program on 25 January. At the 2012 World Championships in Nice, France, Savchenko/Szolkowy were first in the short program on 28 March. After falls on previous competition attempts, Savchenko landed
2730-468: A simple take-off and a difficult take-off. A difficult take-off can include, but is not limited to, the following: a somersault take-off; a one-hand take-off; an Ina Bauer ; a spread-eagle ; spirals as the entry curve executed by one or both partners; or a dance lift followed immediately by a pair lift take-off. Difficult landings include, but are not limited to, the following: somersaults; one-hand landings; variations in holds; and spread-eagle positions of
SECTION 20
#17327876465842860-416: A spin or a spinning movement to fill up time lost during the fall. The death spiral is "a circular move in which the male lowers his partner to the ice while she is arched backwards gliding on one foot". There are four types of death spirals: the forward inside death spiral, the backward inside death spiral, the backward outside death spiral, and the forward outside death spiral. According to Skate Canada,
2990-430: A spin", including a flying entrance by one or both partners; it can include the spin's beginning phase. All entrances must have a "significant impact" on the spin's execution, balance, and control, and must be completed on the first spinning foot. The intended spin position must be achieved within the team's first two revolutions, and can be non-basic in spin combinations only. An exit is defined as "the last phase of
3120-400: A team". Challenges for both pairs and dancers, which can make conflict resolution and communication difficult, include: the fewer number of available boys for girls to find partnerships; different priorities regarding commitment and scheduling; differences in partners' ages and developmental stages; differences in family situations; the common necessity of one or both partners moving to train at
3250-763: A variety of holds and positions. Pair skaters must only execute the prescribed elements; if they do not, the extra or unprescribed elements will not be counted in their score. Violations in pair skating include falls, time, music, and clothing. Pair skating is the most dangerous discipline in figure skating; it has been compared to playing in the National Football League . Pair skaters have more injuries than skaters in other disciplines, and women pair skaters have more injuries than male pair skaters. The International Skating Union (ISU) defines pair skating as "the skating of two persons in unison who perform their movements in such harmony with each other as to give
3380-440: Is also considered an assisted jump, performed by the woman. The man supports the woman, initiates her rotations, and assists her with her height, timing, and direction. The types of throw jumps include: the throw Axel, the throw salchow , the throw toe loop, the throw loop, the throw flip, and the throw Lutz. The speed of the team's entry into the throw jump and the number of rotations performed increases its difficulty, as well as
3510-401: Is no required pattern, but pair teams must fully use the ice surface. The step sequence must be "visible and identifiable", and teams must use the full ice surface (oval, circle, straight line, serpentine, or similar shape). The team must skate three meters or less near each other while executing the crossing feature of the sequence. They must not separate, with no breaks, for at least half of
3640-406: Is not marked as a jump and called a "transition" instead. Non-listed jumps do not count as jumps, either, but can also be called a transition and can be used as "a special entrance to the jump". If the partners execute a spin and a jump back to back, or vice versa, they are considered separate elements and the team is awarded more points for executing a difficult take-off or entry. They lose points if
3770-617: Is the first segment of single skating , pair skating, and synchronized skating in international competitions, including all ISU championships, the Olympic Winter Games , the Winter Youth Games , qualifying competitions for the Olympic Winter Games, and ISU Grand Prix events for both junior and senior-level skaters (including the finals). The short program must be skated before the free skate ,
3900-400: Is the necessity for expressive and convincing interaction between partners as they interpret the music. –Figure skating historian James Hines Pair skating required elements include pair lifts, twist lifts, throw jumps, jumps, spin combinations, death spirals, step sequences, and choreographic sequences. The elements performed by pair teams must be "linked together by connecting steps of
4030-470: The 1980 European Championships and at the Olympics that same year. Hines states, about Rodnina and her partners, that they "transformed pair skating through expanded and inspired athleticism". Pair skating, which has never included a compulsory phase like the other figure skating disciplines, did not require a short program until the early 1960s, when the ISU "instituted a short program of required moves" as
Robin Szolkowy - Misplaced Pages Continue
4160-540: The 2000 World Junior champion (with Stanislav Morozov ), told a German journalist she was looking for a partner, he spoke to German coaches and suggested Szolkowy, whom she recognized from a competition. In May 2003, Savchenko and Szolkowy had a successful tryout in Chemnitz , Germany. Three months later, she relocated to Germany and the new team began training in earnest with former World champion Ingo Steuer as their coach. When they first teamed up, they had to adjust to
4290-636: The 2006 Cup of Russia , qualifying them to the 2006–2007 Grand Prix Final , held in Saint Petersburg . They finished second with a total of 180.67 points, 22.52 behind Shen Xue / Zhao Hongbo , who won gold. In January 2007, they won their fourth German national title. Savchenko/Szolkowy won the European Championships for the first time, becoming the first German pair skaters to win the title in twelve years; their coach, Ingo Steuer , had won with Mandy Wötzel in 1995. They won
4420-477: The 2007 World Championships . Second in the short program and third in the free skate, they won their first World medal, a bronze. Their total score was 16.11 points behind gold medalists Shen/Zhao. In the 2007–08 season, Savchenko/Szolkowy won gold at the 2007 Skate Canada , silver at the 2007 Cup of Russia (second to Zhang Dan / Zhang Hao ), and gold at the 2007 NHK Trophy . At the 2007–08 Grand Prix Final in December 2007, Savchenko/Szolkowy scored 72.14 in
4550-423: The 2008 Skate America and the 2008 Trophée Eric Bompard . They took the bronze medal at the 2008–09 Grand Prix Final , earning a season's best of 70.14 in the short program and placing third in the long program with a score of 114.95. Overall, they earned 185.09 points to finish 6.40 points behind gold medalists Pang Qing / Tong Jian . In late January 2009, they competed at the 2009 European Championships as
4680-499: The 2008 World Championships , held in Gothenburg , Sweden, they placed second in the short program, 2.36 points behind Zhang/Zhang of China, and first in the free skate, 6.74 ahead of Jessica Dubé / Bryce Davison . Overall, Savchenko/Szolkowy finished 5.04 points ahead of silver medalists Zhang/Zhang and won their first World Championship title. In the 2008–09 season , Savchenko/Szolkowy won both of their Grand Prix assignments,
4810-543: The 2009 World Championships as the defending champions. Despite Savchenko fighting a flu, they tallied a personal best 72.30 points in the short program to take the lead by a margin of 3.36 points over Kavaguti/Smirnov. They also won the free skate with 131.18 points. A throw triple salchow on the last beat of their music in the long program ensured victory. They finished with a combined total of 203.48 points, another personal best, and won by almost 17 points over silver medalists Zhang Dan / Zhang Hao . Savchenko/Szolkowy were
4940-573: The 2010 World Championships . They placed third in the short program with 69.52 points, which was 5.76 behind leaders Pang/Tong. In the free skate they placed second with a score of 135.22 points, 0.89 behind Pang/Tong, who also won that segment to capture the gold medal. Overall, the team totaled 204.74 points to win the silver medal. Following the Olympics, Savchenko/Szolkowy both concluded they would like to continue competing at least another season. Savchenko/Szolkowy toured in multiple ice shows around
5070-448: The 2011–12 season . They are entered in 2011 Skate America , 2011 NHK Trophy and 2011 Cup of Russia . In October, they confirmed Pina and Angels & Demons as their new music selections and said they were practicing a throw triple Axel , successfully executed in international competition by only one previous pair, Americans Rena Inoue / John Baldwin at the 2006 Winter Olympics. At Skate America, Savchenko/Szolkowy attempted
5200-552: The 2012 Trophée Eric Bompard , due to Savchenko's illness. Savchenko's cold having developed into a severe sinus infection, the pair confirmed their withdrawal a week later. Since ISU rules do not allow another GP event to be given if skaters withdraw for any reason from an assignment, this also meant they would not qualify for the Grand Prix Final in Sochi . They won silver medals at both the 2013 European Championships and
5330-452: The 2013 World Championships . Savchenko/Szolkowy were assigned to the 2013 Cup of China and the 2013 Rostelecom Cup as their Grand Prix events. They finished second in the short program but won the free skate to claim the Cup of China title, making them only the second pair to win all six Grand Prix events. At the 2013–14 Grand Prix Final , Savchenko/Szolkowy edged out Volosozhar/Trankov for
Robin Szolkowy - Misplaced Pages Continue
5460-582: The 2015–16 season . Szolkowy's current and former students include: In December 2014, Szolkowy was elected to the Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund . He and his wife also have a sports marketing company. In March 2015, it was announced that he would serve as Germany's pair skating development coordinator on a freelance basis. On 16 September 2015, Szolkowy was unanimously elected president of Chemnitzer Eislauf-Club (Chemnitz Skating Club). In January 2019, Szolkowy decided to move to
5590-414: The 2022 European Championships . Pair skating today is arguably the most difficult discipline technically. Pair skaters do the same jumps and spins as single skaters, sometimes with fewer revolutions, but timing is far more critical because they must execute moves in perfect unison. In addition to jumps and spins, pair skaters perform lifts unique to their discipline. More intangible but no less important
5720-514: The 1930s and Dick Button in the 1940s, while winning multiple Olympic medals, "altered dramatically the direction of figure skating", and marked the beginning of the Soviet domination of pair skating for the rest of the 20th century. Irina Rodnina , with her partner Alexei Ulanov and later Alexander Zaitsev , also from the Soviet Union, dominated pair skating throughout the 1970s and "led
5850-448: The 1930s, pair skating had advanced; Hines states, "It was not yet viewed equally with singles skating, at least from a technically standpoint, but it had grown to be a much-appreciated discipline". Hines also reports that many single skaters during the era also competed in pair skating. Soviet and Russian domination in pair skating began in the 1950s and continued throughout the rest of the 1900s. Only five non-Soviet or Russian teams won
5980-537: The 1964 and 1968 Olympics, as well as the 1968 World Championships , "raised by several degrees the level of translating classical dance to the ice". Hines reports that the Protopopovs represented a new style of pair skating developed during the 1960s. He states, "A more flowing style presented by the Russians was replacing an older, more disconnected style". The Protopopovs, like single skaters Sonja Henie in
6110-520: The 2005–06 season, Savchenko/Szolkowy earned their first Grand Prix gold medal at the Skate Canada , placing first in both programs, and went on win the bronze medal in their first appearance at the Grand Prix Final . After winning their third national title, Savchenko/Szolkowy took the silver medal in their second appearance at the European Championships . They finished 7.79 points behind champions Tatiana Totmianina / Maxim Marinin . Savchenko
6240-492: The European Championship in 1977. Pair teams, both juniors and seniors, must perform one solo jump during their short programs; it can include a double flip or double Axel for juniors, or any kind of double or triple jump for seniors. In the free skate, both juniors and seniors must perform only one solo jump and only one jump combination or sequence. A jump sequence consists of two jumps, with no limitations on
6370-594: The German Junior National pair title three times and the 2001 senior German National pair title. Their best result at the World Junior Championships was ninth. Monika Scheibe coached the pair. After Rauschenbach retired, Szolkowy was unable to find a new skating partner for a year and a half. During this forced hiatus, he participated in synchronized skating in an effort to maintain some of his skills. After Aliona Savchenko ,
6500-558: The German Skating Federation over the Steuer affair. As a result, the pair's coach was denied accreditation for the upcoming competitions but the team challenged this in court and won. However, the pair's refusal to leave their coach cost Szolkowy his place in the German army, which had sponsored his skating. Private sponsors and fans supported the pair. Savchenko/Szolkowy placed third at the 2006 Cup of China and won
6630-786: The United States to coach at a rink in Irvine, California , beginning in April. (with Savchenko) GP: Grand Prix ; JGP: Junior Grand Prix Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships . [REDACTED] Media related to Robin Szolkowy at Wikimedia Commons Pair skating Pair skating is a figure skating discipline defined by the International Skating Union (ISU) as "the skating of two persons in unison who perform their movements in such harmony with each other as to give
SECTION 50
#17327876465846760-677: The World Championships after 1965, until 2010. Soviet pair teams won gold medals in seven consecutive Olympics, from 1964 in Innsbruck to 1988 in Calgary . Kestnbaum credits the Soviets for emphasizing ballet, theater, and folk dance in all disciplines of figure skating, noting the influence of Soviet pair team and married couple Liudmila Belousova and Oleg Protopopov . The Protopopovs, as they were called, won gold medals at
6890-468: The change, and can be any basic or non-basic position, in order for the element to be counted. The woman is allowed to be lifted from the ice during the spin, but her partner must stay on one foot, and the revolutions they execute while in the air counts towards the total number of revolutions. The ISU states that this does not increase the difficulty of a combination spin, but it does allow for creativity. Fluctuations of speed and variations of positions of
7020-426: The defending champions. After placing second in the short program, 2.98 behind Maria Mukhortova / Maxim Trankov , they won the free skate with a season's best score of 132.43 points and won the competition overall with a total of 199.07 points, 16.30 points ahead of silver medalists Yuko Kavaguti / Alexander Smirnov . This earned Savchenko/Szolkowy their third consecutive European title. Savchenko/Szolkowy went to
7150-432: The difficulty of lifts in any group by using a one-hand hold. There are three types of positions performed by the woman: upright, or when her upper body is vertical; the star, or when she faces sideways with her upper body parallel to the ice; and the platter, or when her position is flat and facing up or down with her upper body parallel to the ice. The lifts ends when the man's arm or arms begins to bend after he completes
7280-432: The duration of their program is completed less than 30 seconds or more seconds early. The ISU defines the interpretation of the music in all figure skating disciplines as "the personal, creative, and genuine translation of the rhythm, character and content of music to movement on ice". Judges take the following things into account when scoring the short program and the free skating program: the steps and movement in time to
7410-418: The element to count towards their final score. A difficult exit, in which the skaters exit the spin in a lift or spinning movement, is defined as "an innovative move that makes the exit significantly more difficult"; Also like the solo spin combination, the exit must have "significant impact on the balance, control and execution of the spin". If one or both partners fall while entering a spin, they can execute
7540-411: The element will have no value. Like the solo spin combination, the spin combination has three basic positions: the camel spin, the sit spin, and the upright spin. Also like the solo spin combination, changes to a non-basic position is counted towards the team's total number of revolutions and are not considered a change of position. A change of foot must have at least three revolutions, before and after
7670-483: The elimination of compulsory figures in 1990. A judging scandal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah "ushered in sweeping reforms in the scoring system" of figure skating competitions. The scandal, which centered around Canadian pair team Jamie Sale and David Pelletier and Russian pair team Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze , brought about the end of the 6.0 scoring system and
7800-458: The entry edge or place their skate's toe pick into the ice and leave the ice with or without a turn, counts as one jump element. If the partners execute an unequal number of rotations during a solo jump or as part of a jump combination or sequence, the jump with the lesser number of revolutions will be counted. They receive no points if they perform different types of jumps. A small hop or a jump with up to one-half revolution (considered "decoration")
7930-421: The fact that they had been taught different basics. They also had communication difficulties — he spoke German and English while she knew only Russian. Savchenko/Szolkowy worked mostly in Chemnitz , training twice a day, six days a week. Ingo Steuer served as their coach, choreographer, skate sharpener, and music cutter. Savchenko designed the pair's costumes. When the Chemnitz ice rink was melted – generally from
SECTION 60
#17327876465848060-413: The fall, to fill the time lost from the fall, but it is not counted as a solo spin combination. A change of foot, in the form of a jump or step over, is allowed, and the change of position and change of foot can be performed separately or at the same time. Pair teams require "significant strength, skill and control" to perform a change from a basic position to a different basic position without performing
8190-447: The fifth pair in the post-World War II period to do so – by a margin of 0.11 points over silver medalists Volosozhar/Trankov. Savchenko/Szolkowy began the season with gold at the 2012 Skate Canada International , although Savchenko had a flu. Officials elected not to impose a deduction after Szolkowy violated the regulation against men wearing tights. Steuer said they would consider making some adjustments. Their colorful costumes received
8320-430: The finances. At the 2011 World Championships , Savchenko/Szolkowy were in second place following the short program. They went on to win their third World Championships with a record-breaking free skate. Their total score was also a new world record. With this win, the pair capped off a season in which they won every event they entered. Savchenko/Szolkowy took up the option of competing at three Grand Prix events during
8450-638: The first 10.0 ever given by a judge under the ISU Judging System . Szolkowy was born in Greifswald , Rostock district , East Germany . His mother, a nurse, met his father, a Tanzanian medical doctor, when the latter was a student in Greifswald. Although he had seen photos of his father, the two did not meet until March 2008, in Vienna , Austria. Szolkowy married Romy Born, who is originally from Zürich , on 1 August 2014 in Chemnitz . On 11 May 2015, it
8580-417: The first German pair since Marika Kilius / Hans-Jürgen Bäumler (1963 and 1964) to successfully defend a World Championship title. Savchenko/Szolkowy began the 2009–10 season at the 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy . They finished first in both segments and earned the gold medal with a total score of 185.99 points. At their first Grand Prix of the season, the 2009 Trophée Eric Bompard , the pair placed first in
8710-483: The first Olympic gold medalists in pair skating in 1908; they also won the 1908 and 1910 World Championships . In 1936, Maxi Herber and Ernst Baier won the gold medal at the Olympics and went on to win the World Championships from 1936 to 1939. The first pair skating national competitions in Canada occurred in 1905 and the first time pair skating was included during a U.S. Championships was in 1914, but there are only
8840-467: The first female figure skater to compete and win internationally, states that from the beginning of the introduction of pair skating in international competitions, it was a popular sport for audiences to watch, and that "if the pair are well matched and clever performers, it is undoubtedly the most attractive to watch". When women began to compete in figure skating in the early 1900s, married couples developed routines together and provided female partners with
8970-522: The first part of pair competitions. Hines reports that the change was due "to a few controversial decisions in the 1950s and the discipline's increasing technical complexities". In 1964, at the European Championships in Grenoble, France and the 1964 World Championships in Dortmund , West Germany, and during the Olympics in 1968 , a two-and-a-half minute long technical program was added, later called
9100-638: The following reasons: the skater makes an error during their takeoff; their jump is under-rotated, or not fully rotated while they are in the air; they execute a tilted jump and is unable to land upright on their feet; and they make an error during the first jump of a combination jump, resulting in not having enough smoothness, speed, and flow to complete the second jump. As for all skating disciplines, judges penalize pair skaters one point up to every five seconds for ending their programs too early or too late. If they start their programs between one and 30 seconds late, they can lose one point. Restrictions for finishing
9230-442: The following: up to three pair lifts, not all from the same group, with the lifting arm or arms fully extended; exactly one twist lift, exactly one solo jump; exactly one jump sequence or combination; exactly one pair spin combination; exactly one death spiral of a different type than what the skaters performed during their short program; and exactly one choreographic sequence. A well-balanced free skate for junior pairs must consist of
9360-428: The forward inside death spiral is the easiest one to execute, and the forward outside death spiral is the most difficult. The death spiral performed in the short program at the senior level must be different from the death spiral during the free skating program. In the 2022–2023 season, both junior and senior pair teams must perform the backward inside death spiral. In 2023–2024, both juniors and seniors had to perform
9490-411: The forward inside death spiral. If a different death spiral other than what has been prescribed is executed, it receives no points. One death spiral is required for juniors and seniors during their free skate. Step sequences in pair skating should be performed "together or close together". Step sequences must be a part of the short program, but they are not required in the free skating program. There
9620-432: The free skate with 127.24 points. They won the bronze medal overall with 200.38 points, 13.87 behind gold medalists Shen/Zhao. Savchenko developed a flu during the Grand Prix Final which worsened and forced the pair to withdraw from German Nationals. At the 2010 European Championships , Savchenko/Szolkowy led in the short program with 74.12 points, by just 0.2 over Yuko Kavaguti / Alexander Smirnov . They placed second in
9750-486: The free skate with a new personal best 137.60 points, 1.63 behind gold medalists Kavaguti/Smirnov, who consequently placed first in the free skate and overall. Overall, Savchenko and Szolkowy earned a new personal best score of 211.72 points. At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver , Canada , Savchenko/Szolkowy earned their personal best score of 75.96 points in the short program, yet only placed second. Shen/Zhao took
9880-547: The free skate, Szolkowy fell on the pair's side-by-side triple jumps and Savchenko fell on the throw triple Axel at the conclusion of the program and dropping to third in the overall standings behind Ksenia Stolbova / Fedor Klimov . Savchenko/Szolkowy decided to compete at the 2014 World Championships and won their fifth world title together. They have the second-most world championship titles in pairs, second only to Irina Rodnina / Alexander Zaitsev . Szolkowy retired from competition after Worlds and performed with Savchenko in
10010-473: The gold medal after placing second in the short and first in the free setting a new personal best scores total of 227.03 points. They then competed at the 2014 European Championships but withdrew after the short program because of Savchenko's flu. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Savchenko/Szolkowy earned the bronze medal. They placed second in the short program and fourth in the free skate. During
10140-508: The gold medal with a total score of 212.26, defeating Volosozhar/Trankov by a margin of only 0.18 points. Savchenko/Szolkowy missed their nationals with the German Skating Union's okay and continued to work on the throw triple Axel. In October 2011, Savchenko/Szolkowy were awarded the public prize at Germany's tenth and final Unity Prize ceremony. In January 2012, they were voted Saxony's Sports Team of 2011. Savchenko ruptured
10270-473: The head, arms, or free leg are allowed. Difficult variations of a combined pair spin must have at least two revolutions. They receive more points if the spin contains three difficult variations, two of which can be non-basic positions, although each partner must have at least one difficult variation. The same rules apply for difficult entrances into pair spin combinations as they do for solo spin combinations, except that they must be executed by both partners for
10400-437: The height and/or distance they create. Pair teams must perform one throw jump during their short programs; senior teams can perform any double or triple throw jump, and junior teams must perform a double or triple Salchow. If the throw jump does not satisfy the requirements as described by the ISU, including if it has the wrong number of revolutions, it receives no value. The first throw triple Axel jump performed in competition
10530-717: The highest pair skating short program score of 84.41 points, which they earned at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games . According to the ISU, free skating for pairs "consists of a well balanced program composed and skated to music of the pair's own choice for a specified period of time". The ISU also considers a well-done free skate one that contains both single skating moves performed either in parallel (called "shadow skating") or symmetrically (called "mirror skating"). It also should contain "especially typical Pair Skating moves" such as pair spins, lifts, partner assisted jumps, spirals linked harmoniously by steps and other movements. A well-balanced free skate for senior pairs must consist of
10660-416: The implementation of the ISU Judging System , starting in 2004. According to Caroline Silby, a consultant with U.S. Figure Skating , pair teams, as well as ice dance teams, have the added challenge of strengthening partnerships and ensuring that teams stay together for several years. Silby states, "Conflict between partners that is consistent and unresolved can often lead to the early demise or break-up of
10790-553: The impression of genuine Pair Skating as compared with independent Single Skating". The ISU also states that a pair team consists of "one Woman and one Man" and that "attention should be paid to the selection of an appropriate partner". The roots of pairs skating, like ice dance , is in the "combined skating" developed in the 19th century by skating clubs and organizations and by recreational social skating between couples and friends, who would skate waltzes, marches, and other social dances together. According to writer Ellyn Kestnbaum,
10920-502: The impression of genuine Pair Skating as compared with independent Single Skating". The ISU also states that a pairs team consists of "one Woman and one Man". Pair skating, along with men's and women's single skating , has been an Olympic discipline since figure skating, the oldest Winter Olympic sport, was introduced at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. The ISU World Figure Skating Championships introduced pair skating in 1908. Like
11050-418: The jump with the fewer revolutions will be counted in their score. The double Axel and all triple and quadruple jumps, which have more than two revolutions, must be different from one another, although jump sequences and combinations can include the same two jumps. Extra jumps that do not fulfill the requirements are not counted in the team's score. Teams are allowed, however, to execute the same two jumps during
11180-427: The leg (above the knee) grips". They are allowed changes of hold, or going from one of the grips to another or from one hand to another in a one-hand hold, during lifts. Teams earn fewer points if the woman's position and a change of hold is executed at the same time. They earn more points if the execution of the woman's position and the change in hold are "significantly different from lift to lift". Teams can increase
11310-437: The man during dismounting. Carry lifts are defined as "the simple carrying of a partner without rotation" are allowed; they do not count as overhead lifts, but are considered as transition elements. A lift is judged illegal if it is accomplished with a wrong hold. The only times pair skating partners can give each other assistance in executing lifts are "through hand-to-hand, hand-to-arm, hand-to-body and hand to upper part of
11440-444: The man's arms are sideways and straight or almost straight after he releases the woman. Difficult take-offs include turns, steps, movements, and small lifts executed preceding the take-off and with continuous flow. Pair teams lose points for not having enough rotations, one-half a rotation or more. The first quadruple twist lift performed in international competition was by Russian pair team Marina Cherkasova and Sergei Shakhrai at
11570-420: The music" until the figures became more complicated and developed into a different appearance; as Burger puts it, "the fundamental character of the figure, however, has remained the same". Also in the 1890s, combined and hand-in-hand skating moved skating away from "the static confines of basic figures to continuous movement around a rink". Hines insists that the popularity of skating waltzes, which depended upon
11700-408: The music, should be maintained throughout the program". The ISU published the first judges' handbook for pair skating in 1966. There are five groups of pair skating lifts, categorized in order of increasing level of difficulty, and determined by the hold at the moment the woman passes the man's shoulder. Judges look for the following when evaluating pair lifts: speed of entry and exit; control of
11830-554: The music; the expression of the character of the music; and the use of finesse. 2005 World Figure Skating Championships The 2005 World Figure Skating Championships were held at the Luzhniki Sports Palace in Moscow , Russia from March 14 to 20. Medals were awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles , pair skating , and ice dancing . The 2005 Worlds was the primary means of deciding
11960-532: The number of revolutions per jump. It starts with any type of jump, immediately followed by an Axel-type jump. Skaters must, during a jump combination, make sure that they land on the same foot they took off on, and that they execute a full rotation on the ice between the jumps. They can, however, execute an Euler between the two jumps. When the Euler is performed separately, it is considered a non-listed jump. Junior pairs, during their short programs, earn no points for
12090-947: The opportunities to demonstrate parity with their male partners by executing the same moves. Syers states that Viennese skaters were responsible for pair skating's popularity at the beginning of the 20th century and credited the Austrians for adding dance moves to pair skating. At first, pair skating consisted of executing basic figures and side-by-side free-skating moves, such as long, flowing spirals done backwards or forwards, and connected with dance steps while couples held one or two hands. Jumps and pirouettes were not required, and were done by only experienced pair skaters. German pair skater Heinrich Burger , in his article in Irving Brokaw's The Art of Skating (1915), states that he and his partner, Anna Hübler , inserted figures skated by single skaters into "our several dances according to
12220-440: The original concepts of combined skating because most advanced skating was done by adult males. When women became more involved in the sport, they were allowed to compete in "similar pairs" competitions in the U.S. Figure skating historian James R. Hines reports that factors, such as hand-in-hand skating and "the crazelike fascination with ice dancing" in the mid-1890s, contributed to the development of pair skating. Madge Syers ,
12350-419: The other disciplines, is four minutes for senior teams, and three and one-half minutes for junior teams. Pair skating required elements include lifts, twist lifts, throw jumps, jumps, spin combinations, death spirals , step sequences , and choreographic sequences . The elements performed by pairs teams must be "linked together by connecting steps of a different nature" and by other comparable movements and with
12480-585: The other disciplines, pair skating competitions consist of two segments, the short program and the free skating program. There are seven required elements in the short program, which lasts two minutes and 40 seconds for both junior and senior pair teams. Free skating for pairs "consists of a well balanced program composed and skated to music of the pair's own choice for a specified period of time". It also should contain "especially typical Pair Skating moves" such as pair spins , lifts , partner assisted jumps , spirals and other linking movements. Its duration, like
12610-525: The partners fall or step out of a jump during a jump sequence or combination. Throw jumps are "partner assisted jumps in which the Lady is thrown into the air by the Man on the take-off and lands without assistance from her partner on a backward outside edge". Skate Canada says, "the male partner assists the female into flight". Many pair skaters consider the throw jump "a jump rather than a throw". The throw jump
12740-418: The partners; and demonstrate "excellent commitment" and control of the whole body. Skaters must only execute the prescribed elements; if they do not, the extra or unprescribed elements will not be counted in their score. Only the first attempt of an element will be included. Violations in pair skating include falls, time, music, and clothing. According to the ISU, a fall is defined as the "loss of control by
12870-452: The program since May, Savchenko said it "just didn't suit us", so they decided to prepare a new one to the soundtrack of Out of Africa . At the 2009 Skate Canada , Savchenko/Szolkowy won the short program, improving their personal best to 74.16 points, and leading the rest of the field by 8.36 points. They also won the free skate with a score of 132.55 points, placing first overall with 206.71 points, 21 ahead of Mukhortova/Trankov. They set
13000-455: The rising popularity of skating during the 19th century led to the development of figure skating techniques, especially the "various forms of hand-in-hand skating that would become the basis of pair skating". Kestnbaum believes that there is no technical reason why pair skating moves could not be performed by opposite sexes because the moves emphasize the symmetry and similarity of the two bodies making them. Kestnbaum also states that men developed
13130-439: The same elements required for senior teams, but with a maximum of two jumps and their death spiral does not have to be different to what they performed in their short program. Its duration, like the other disciplines, is four minutes for senior teams, and three-and-one-half minutes for junior teams. Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov hold the highest pair free skating program score of 157.46 points, which they earned at
13260-422: The same time and with a clear rhythm and continuous flow. Partners can perform rockers , counters , brackets , loops, and twizzles during combinations of difficult turns. Three turns , changes of edges, jumps and/or hops, and changes of feet are not allowed, and "at least one turn in the combination must be of a different type than the others". Two combinations of difficult turns are the same if they consist of
13390-466: The same turns performed in the same order, on the same foot and on the same edges. Pair teams must perform one choreographic sequence during their free skating programs. According to the ISU, a choreographic sequence "consists of at least two different movements like steps, turns, spirals , arabesques, spread eagles , Ina Bauers , hydroblading , any jumps with maximum of 2 revolutions, spins, etc.". Pair skating teams can use steps and turns to connect
13520-411: The second component in competitions. The short program lasts, for both senior and junior pair skaters, two minutes and 40 seconds. Vocal music with lyrics has been allowed in pair skating and in all disciplines since the 2014–2015 season. Both junior and senior pair skaters have seven required elements: a lift , a twist lift , a throw jump , a jump ; a solo spin combination, a death spiral , and
13650-480: The sequence must be "clearly visible". Pair skaters, in order to earn the most points possible, must include the following in their choreographic sequences: they must have originality and creativity; the sequence must match the music and reflect the program's concept and character; and they must demonstrate effortlessness of the element as a sequence. They must also do the following: "have good ice coverage" or perform an interesting pattern; demonstrate good unison between
13780-409: The sequence. Changes of holds, which can include "a brief moment" when the partners do not touch, are permitted during the step sequence. The workload between the partners must be even to help them earn more points. More points are rewarded to teams when they change places or holds, or when they perform difficult skating moves together. Both partners must execute the combinations of difficult turns at
13910-399: The short and long program at the 2010–11 Grand Prix Final to win the title. At the European Championships , Savchenko/Szolkowy won the short program by almost three points, receiving a perfect ten for performance and execution from one of the judges. In the long program, the pair received zero points for a spin after an error by Savchenko; they placed second in the free program by less than
14040-501: The short program and the free skating program are similar to the requirements of the other disciplines in figure skating. Pair teams can complete these programs within plus or minus 10 seconds of the required times; if they cannot, judges can deduct points if they finish up to five seconds too early or too late. If they begin skating any element after their required time (plus the required 10 seconds they have to begin), they earn no points for those elements. The pair team receive no points if
14170-423: The short program with 65.38 points, although Savchenko fell on the throw triple flip . In the free skate, they set a new personal best of 134.01 points while skating to the soundtrack of the film The Mission . Their combined total of 199.39 points was also a new best, and they finished 19.78 points ahead of silver medalists Maria Petrova / Alexei Tikhonov . Savchenko/Szolkowy made their third World appearance at
14300-563: The short program with a new personal best score of 72.98 points, leading by 6.1 points over Maria Mukhortova / Maxim Trankov , but finished fourth in the free skate with 101.44 points. Overall, they won the bronze medal with 174.42 points, 18.51 behind gold medalists Mukhortova/Trankov. On the plane back to Germany, Steuer suggested scrapping their long program to You'll Never Walk Alone , which had been recorded for them by André Rieu 's orchestra in Maastricht . Although they had worked on
14430-474: The short program, setting a new world record, and a season's best of 127.09 points in the free skate to win the pair title with 199.23 overall, eight points ahead of silver medalists Zhang/Zhang. In January 2008, Savchenko/Szolkowy successfully defended their European title . Finishing first in both segments with a total score of 202.39 points, they won their second European title by a 32.98-point lead over silver medalists Maria Mukhortova / Maxim Trankov . At
14560-452: The short program, which constituted one-third of a team's scores. The arrangement of the specific moves, also unlike compulsory figures for single skaters and the compulsory dance for ice dancers, were up to each pair team. The short programs introduced in single men and women competitions in 1973 were modeled after the pair skating short program, and the structure of competitions in both single and pair competitions have been identical since
14690-413: The sit spin, and upright positions) performed by both partners, at any time during the spin to receive the full value of points, and must have all three basic positions performed by both partners to receive full value for the element. A spin with less than three revolutions is not counted as a spin; rather, it is considered a skating movement. If a skater changes to a non-basic position, it is not considered
14820-441: The solo jump if they perform a different jump than what is required. Both junior and senior pairs earn no points if, during their free skating programs, they repeat a jump with over two revolutions. All jumps are considered in the order in which they were performed. If the partners do not execute the same number of revolutions during a solo jump or part of a jump sequence or combination (which can consist of two or three jumps), only
14950-497: The speed and flow across the ice of couples in dance positions and not just on holding hands with a partner, "dealt a death knell to hand-in-hand skating". Pair skating, along with men's and women's single skating, has been an Olympic discipline since figure skating, the oldest Winter Olympic sport, was introduced at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. The ISU World Figure Skating Championships introduced pair skating, along with women's singles, also in 1908. Hübler and Burger were
15080-442: The spin until its exit". If spins are done with less than two revolutions, pairs receive zero points; if they have less than three revolutions, they are considered a skating movement, not a spin. Pair teams cannot, except for a short step when changing directions, stop while performing a rotation. Spins must have at least two different basic positions, with two revolutions in each position performed by both partners anywhere within
15210-488: The spin"; it can include the phase immediately following the spin. Like the entrance, an exit must have a "significant impact" on the spin's execution, balance, and control. There are 11 categories of difficult solo spin variations. Both junior and senior pair teams must perform one pair spin combination, which may begin with a fly spin, during their free skating programs. Pair spin combinations must have at least eight revolutions, which must be counted from "the entry of
15340-577: The spin; full value for pair spin combinations are awarded only when both partners perform all three basic positions. A spin executed in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions is considered one spin. When a team simultaneously performs spins in both directions that immediately follow each other, they earn more points, but they must execute a minimum of three revolutions in each direction without any changes in position. Both partners must execute at least one change of position and one change of foot (although not necessarily done simultaneously); if not,
15470-596: The start of April to mid-May – they trained in Dresden if they needed ice time during this period. In their first season together, Savchenko/Szolkowy won the German National title. They made their international debut as a team at the start of the 2004–05 season. They again won the German National pair title, placed fourth at 2005 European Championships and sixth at the 2005 World Championships . In
15600-464: The throw triple Axel for the first time in their career but her free foot touched the ice. On 29 March, Szolkowy lost a court case seeking reinstatement to the Bundeswehr which funded his sports career until 2006 – the court stated he did not have an authorized coach. Savchenko/Szolkowy were second in the free skate on 30 March but finished first overall. They won their fourth World title – becoming
15730-428: The throw triple Axel in the short program but experienced a hard fall. They were given credit for completing the revolutions and finished in 5th place, 3.4 points off the lead. They rebounded to place first in the free skate and won their second consecutive Skate America title and third in their career. They added a reverse lasso lift to their free program but performed only a double twist because they were still working on
15860-403: The top qualifiers for the 2010–11 Grand Prix Final . On their way back from France, the airline lost their luggage containing their skates, resulting in concerns the pair would be forced to withdraw from the Grand Prix Final. Skates were not permitted as part of hand luggage , the blades being considered potential weapons. The airline found their luggage a few days later. They placed first in both
15990-400: The top stop with a world record short program score of 76.66 points. They placed third in the free skating with 134.64 points, 7.16 behind Pang Qing / Tong Jian , who placed first in that segment. Overall they won the bronze medal with 210.60 points, 5.97 behind gold medalists and Olympic champions Shen/Zhao and 2.71 behind silver medalists Pang/Tong. Savchenko/Szolkowy ended their season at
16120-472: The trend of female pair skaters as risk-taking athletes". With Ulanov, Rodnina won World and European titles for four years in a row and an Olympic gold medal in 1972 . Hines reports that Rodnina and her second partner, Zaitsev, won the 1973 European Championships and were "never seriously challenged" between 1974 and 1978, winning gold medals at the 1976 Olympics and at every World and European Championships during that period. They also won gold medals at
16250-402: The two or more movements together. It begins at the first skating movement and ends when the team begins to prepare to execute the next element, unless the sequence is the last element performed during the program. Judges do not evaluate individual elements in a choreographic segment; rather, they note that it was accomplished. There are no restrictions limiting the sequence of the movements, but
16380-428: The woman's free leg when she is exiting out of the lift, with the goal of keeping the leg high and sweeping; the position of the woman in the air; the man's footwork; quick and easy changes of position; and the maintenance of flow throughout the lift. Judges begin counting how many revolutions pair teams execute from the moment when the woman leaves the ice until when the man's arm (or arms) begin to bend after he has made
16510-821: The world, including the 2009 Ice All Stars , All That Skate in South Korea, and the 2010 Art on Ice in Lausanne , Switzerland. After performing in fifteen shows, Savchenko/Szolkowy began training for the 2010–11 season in May 2010 in Chemnitz. The pair experimented with a throw quad flip in training. Steuer said, "It did work sometimes, but it needs extremely high concentration." In September 2010, Savchenko stated that they "plan to continue through 2014, but you never know if our bodies will work as we like them to work." Savchenko/Szolkowy won 2010 Skate America by over 20 points and 2010 Trophée Eric Bompard by 14 points, and were
16640-538: Was announced that Born and Szolkowy were expecting their first child together. Their son, Henry, was born on 14 September 2015. Szolkowy began skating in Erfurt in 1983 after his mother saw an advertisement for a new skating rink. Originally a singles skater , he switched to pairs when he was 16. His first partner was Johanna Otto. In 1997, Szolkowy began skating with Claudia Rauschenbach , daughter of 1980 Olympic gold medalist Anett Pötzsch . Rauschenbach/Szolkowy won
16770-551: Was by American pair team Rena Inoue and John Baldwin Jr. at the 2006 U.S. Championships . They also performed it at the Four Continents Championships in 2006 and the 2006 Winter Olympics . The throw triple Axel is a difficult throw to accomplish because the woman must perform three-and-one-half revolutions after being thrown by the man, a half-revolution more than other triple jumps, and because it requires
16900-763: Was granted German citizenship on 29 December 2005, making it possible for the pair to compete at the 2006 Winter Olympics . Just prior to the Olympics, the National Olympic Committee of Germany decided to exclude their coach, Ingo Steuer, from the Olympic team due to his collusion with the Stasi . After a court battle, he was granted accreditation. Savchenko/Szolkowy finished sixth with 180.15 points. They also placed sixth at 2006 Worlds some weeks later, where they earned 170.08 points overall. The German Ministry of Interior Affairs continued to put pressure on
#583416