All About Ice Dancing
Ice dancing has its roots in ballroom dancing. It was a demonstration event in the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble and then became an official medal Olympic sport in 1976 in Innsbruck. Historically, ice dancing has taken a back seat to pairs figure skating, but this year, there is a lot of buzz about ice dancing at the Olympics because Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the United States are favored to win a gold medal, a feat no American ice dancing couple has ever accomplished.
How Does Ice Dancing Work?
In ice dancing, the man and woman dance together to the rhythm of the music. There is an emphasis on dancing while holding each other or at least being very close to each other (no more than two arm-lengths apart). Ice dancing differs from pairs skating in ice dancing’s different rules for lifts and spins and the exclusion of throws and jumps. For example, in ice dancing, the man, while lifting his partner, may not lift his arms above his head. In ice dancing, “half-turns” are permitted, while in pairs skating, multi-revolution jumps are allowed.
There are two segments in ice dancing: the short program and the free program. In the short program, the dancers must dance a required pattern for half of the program and may use their own choreography with specific assigned elements for the other half of the program. The program’s theme or rhythm is given to the dancers, but they may choose their own music. In the free dance, the dancers choose their own music, rhythms, and themes, and create their own choreography. They are given specific elements, such as step sequences, lifts, dance spins, and twizzles. Usually, dancers try more difficult positions in order to gain more points.
Why do People Like Watching Ice Dancing?
People enjoy watching ice dancing because it combines the disciplines of ice skating with dance. There are many types of music, including 1930s standards, Broadway musicals, traditional folk music, classical music, and contemporary pop music. Ice dancing is romantic, with both partners skating close to each other and totally trusting one another. The costumes that the ice dancers wear add to the artistry of their dances. As the dancers athletically and artistically float along the ice, they create a beautiful visual story for the audience to enjoy. If you are or have been a recreational ballroom dancer or ice dancer, as I have, watching the best of the best ice dancers is a thrill. And if you haven’t ever tried dancing or ice dancing, you still will be drawn into the talents of the athletes along with their graceful movements, lovely costumes, wonderful music, and stories they tell.
How Dangerous is Ice Dancing?
Ice dancing is dangerous because of the proximity between the two partners. If the dancers are not careful, it is easy for one person to trip over another person’s skate or get gashed by a sharp blade. Because of the lifts involved, there is also potential for injury.
What’s the State of Gender Equality in Ice Dancing?
Since each ice dance team involves a man and a woman, we can give a plus to having men and women participate equally in the event. The content of the ice dance itself usually conforms to traditional gender roles and themes.
What are Some Olympic Ice Dancing Stories?
Ice dancing was developed in the 1930s in Great Britain and many of the competitions were won by British teams. In the 1960s, Eastern European skaters changed the style of ice dancing, demonstrating more speed. In the 1970s, the Soviets developed a theatrical style of ice dancing, incorporating ballet and narrative themes. In Sarajevo in 1984, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, from Great Britain, won gold with perfect 6.0’s in presentation with a theme danced to Ravel’s Bolero. By the 1990’s the majority of ice dancers were dancing theatrically-styled dances rather than ballroom. Since then, ice dancing has shifted between theatrical dancing and ballroom dancing. Since 2000, ice dancers from North America have been more competitive. Tanith Belbin/ Ben Agosto from United States won silver in 2006 Olympics, and Tessa Virtue/ Scott Moir of Canada won gold in 2010 Olympics.
This year, all eyes are on the American team Meryl Davis and Charlie White, who grew up living within 10 minutes of each other and have skated together since they were in elementary school. When you watch them ice dance, you will see how well they know and respect each other and what an amazing, talented, and compatible team they are. Their closest rivals are the Canadian team Virtue and Moir, another exciting pair having skated together for a long time.