Check out this little video from this morning’s practice ice session. On competition days there are usually several 20 minute practice sessions you can purchase. These are usually at way too early o’clock in the morning as the competition events start at 8 or 9 in the morning.
As I watched I marvelled at how different the skills needed for the practice sessions are from those the skaters use during their few minutes alone on the ice during their competition programs. During practice there are many skaters all trying to find space to practice the jumps, spins and spirals that make up their programs. When you watch these experienced skaters all skating, at high speed, in big wide circles lining up for jumps it is a marvel that they don’t collide. It takes great skill to anticipate where all these skaters are going and then try to find the point at which there will be enough open ice in the direction you are skating so you will be able to complete your jump. It’s really amazing to watch. And as a parent of one of those skaters, kind of terrorizing too.