Whew - I'm glad I tested this one when I did in November (when no one had any idea what was going on with that pattern). I only did 2 or 3 sets per side...that was all I could fit in and keep the power of the pattern going.

Per side/Per arena: yeah, I was only pointing out where the ambiguity stemmed from in the rules, not that I don't accept the resolution of it as *per side*. I did four sets today at a small rink at speed, so yeah, I see how "four-to-six" is quite reasonable.

Skates: Yeah, that's a good point. I skate with the top hooks untied, (actually I lightly tie the long loops of the bow around the top hooks to keep them from dangling) and that lets me get good forward ankle flexion, while still being able to bring the sides-in tight. If I tied all the way up tightly, I'd be on the toe picks going backwards.

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Me, on skating. Me, on me.
"It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness." ~ Tolstoy, via JWeir.
"I am not a pretty girl. That is not what I do." ~ Ani DiFranco

You and me both! My coach says it's because my knees are too straight - could this be the same for you? He has demonstrated (several times!) that if he has enough kneebend, even if he is leaning forwards he doesn't go up on his toes, but the second he straightens his knees - scrrrreeeetch!

So I am really focussing on bending my knees, no matter how painful, and it is helping. But I'm still quite convinced my left toe-pick is several millimetres longer than the right.... (well, it feels that way at times!).

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Ah, the number of times I have threatened to just get my damn left toe pick ground down, only to have my coach tell me that if I do, he'll kill me . I never actually would but in moments of exasperation...

Clare