Pairs skating

Freestyle skating in itself is difficult. But can you imagine how hard it is to try to do all of your jumps, spins, and footwork in sync with a partner? That is exactly what pairs skating is...and then some.

The USFSA rulebook defines pairs as "the skating of two persons in unison who perform their movements in such harmony with each other as to give the impression of genuine pair skating as contrasted with independent single skating."

Pairs programs consist of the following basic elements:
• Side by side jumps (jumps performed at the same time by both partners)
• Assisted jumps (where the man assists the lady by throwing her into a jump)
• Side by side spins (spins performed at the same time by both partners)
• Pair spins (spins where the partners are together)
• Lifts (where one partner lifts the other...not always male lifting female!)
• Death spirals (the spectacular move where the male pivots and the female's head is brought down towards the ice)