What does it take to become a Champion?

[IceDanz]

I am a competitive Ice Dancer at the Junior Level and am researching a paper about what it takes to become an elite figure skater, or more specifically, an elite ice dancer. It would be wonderful to get your ideas and opinions on this subject. Let me know if you are a skating parent, fan, judge, and recreational or competitive skater!

The questions below are just some different ideas about the subject, feel free to answer any or all of them, thanks for your input!


What do you think it takes to become a top elite skater or ice dancer?
What should one look for in a high level coach?
What should one look for in a high level or elite dancer?
When, if at all, should one change coaches or partners?
What type of off-ice training should elite skaters do?
Is there a change that must be made when switching from national to international competitions?
What are some good books or periodicals about skating that are recommended?

[FSWer]

Well, I don't skate.But if you ask me I would say it takes balance and love for the partner you have. I do also know a former Ice-Dancer. Would you like me to do a forward?

[IceDanz]

Would you like me to do a forward?

It would be great if you could do a forward, Thanks
I agree that it does take balence, and am curious to hear from others if they think it really takes love of your partner.

[bcskater]

What does it take to become a Champion?
ALOT ;)

[JKlink]

What do you think it takes to become a top elite skater or ice dancer?
In general, hard work, time, dedication to long term goals, good work habits, good coaching, support by your friends and family along with being a perfectionist.

There are differences between singles, pairs and ice dance, both singles and pairs takes a certain amount of courage to keep trying the jumps, lifts and throws. Ice dance requires the ability to understand and skate to the music as well as presentation skills. With pairs and ice dance you also have to work on partnering skills.

What should one look for in a high level coach?
I think this changes over time as the emphasis on certain skills or styles change. With singles, the jumps are really important as well as having good content between the jumps. With pairs, we are seeing much more intricate programs with unique spins and interesting lifts. Ice dance is starting to change and really good choreography is important to placing well in the OD and FD. I would look for a coach or coaches that are not only strong technically, but who are also great choreographers. If they aren't good with choreography, they should be willing to bring in an outside choreographer to do the programs. I would also say to look for a coach that has been successful internationally, but that isn't always feasible due to geographic restraints and the fact that high level coaches can only manage a limited number of skaters.

What should one look for in a high level or elite dancer?
If you watch the senior dancers warm-up at Nationals without music they make very little noise, so I look for great edges, soft knees, and good posture first. When watching a team, I also look at how close together they skate, how well they match and how they relate to each other and the music. I also look at how well the choreography complements the music while incorporating speed and flow.

When, if at all, should one change coaches or partners?
In many cases, it is a difficult decision to make because the skaters are emotionally attached to the coach they have spent many years with. I think that the skater needs to ask themselves a number of questions to determine the right answer. These have to do with what kind of progress are you making? Are you getting better? Are you happy where you are with skating and what you are learning?

The partnering question is much more complex and I think that the decision to switch partners is much more difficult. If you have a good relationship, work well together on and off the ice, then the decision to change partners should come down to technical ability. I think that being together longer is a real advantage in both pairs and dance, but if either partner is unhappy, then you either need to work out the issues or change partners.

What type of off-ice training should elite skaters do?
A lot of aerobic conditioning with some free weights, balance and flexibility exercises would make up a good off ice conditioning program. Ballet would also help most figure skaters. Ice dancers should also do ballroom dancing to help with posture and style.

Is there a change that must be made when switching from national to international competitions?
Our freestyle skaters have done well internationally, but in ice dancing this has not been the case. Choreography is very important and although I don’t always care for the music these days, you still have to give the international judges what they want to see. So I think that US ice dancers are the ones who need much better choreography and better music as well. The Europeans and Russians dominated the JGP final in ice dancing and to win at ice dancing things are going to have to change in the US. This is not just choreography, but stronger skating skills as well.

What are some good books or periodicals about skating that are recommended?
None that I know of. JK

[Azam356]

As the parent of a sketer the questions can be answered in one word-
MONEY. That can buy you good coaches ,choreographers ice time and even a partner. I am perhaps pessimistic
in a world where people want to say "oh you can do anything if you work hard and love the sport" But I was in it long enough to know the reality boils down to money Yes you have to have the want and desire and you basically have to give up everything else in your life as it is time consuming but all that won't work without the money for the name coaches .name training centers ,choreographers etc etc .

[anital]

Azam356, I REALLY disagree, the one thing that makes a champion is something you can't buy: PASSION, if you don't have the love, passion and desire to do your sport, you won't have the dedication it takes to train well and hard, even the best coaches in the world can not make you a champion, your passion for your sport is what makes a champion. JMHO.

[Azam356]

I am sorry you disagree but money is a cold reality I said you still have to have the passion and the wanting but there are a ton of kids out there who would give up more than would probably be good for them to advance in skating but if all things equal and all passion and dedication there it unfortunatly boils down to money. The TV tales are fairy tales Yes maybe Todd Eldriges town raised money at some point for him but that was after he was already going places I know at the novice level Tara's parents were spending about 40,000 a year and that was many years ago so what would it be now? And if you add a partnership to it you better have more money-or a willing brother.You can't deny the majority of the male partners at the higher levels are paid for by the girls family This is a fact So where does that leave the passion filled dedicated girl whose parents are middle class.I know I sound very pessimistic but I was in the sport many years and my child did do well but it takes a fortune to continue on year after year and then you have to get top choreographers(which I do think is the most important factor in dance) etc etc and very few can keep up with that financially. There si no reason you cant still enjoy skating but there are realities and unfortunately most of those realities can be solved with money

[Ellyn]

I remember many years ago (back when I was skating during the mid-1970s) overhearing a respected coach (and rink owner) answer this question that what it took was "Money and access to an ice rink."

Now, obviously those are probably not sufficient conditions -- the skater needs to have at least average physical talent and exceptional desire and work ethic, or vice versa -- but they are necessary conditions -- without the ice time, even the most talented skater or would-be skater will not reach the highest skill levels.

[JKlink]

It does take money to compete and as you move up to the higher levels the costs increase, but money won't make you a champion by itself. Both Todd Eldredge and Nancy Kerrigan became champions because of the support they got from their communities, friends and family. JK

[Azam356]

You are right .Money alone won't make you a national champion but on the other hand you cant be a national champion without money

[IceDanz]

You can't deny the majority of the male partners at the higher levels are paid for by the girls family This is a fact So where does that leave the passion filled dedicated girl whose parents are middle class.


I believe the "passion filled dedicated girl" has a chance of getting a partner at a young age (approx. 8-14 years) and then staying with him for the long term if possible. It is not necessary for a girl to "buy" a male skater in order to have a chance at success. She can establish herself as a talented skater at a young age with a boy whose parents would not expect financial support.

[Azam356]

that does work at a young age-the kids like each other -the parents get along but it only works up to a point and then either the boy gets wooed by offers or if the girl is the better skater with money her parents buy the better partner and they get help from coaches advice etc etc. who would not better their childs chances if they had the money to do so? I am not talking of the lower levels but junior and senior and perhaps at novice. And if you think coaches donpush partnerships thats are also financially helpful to them you are very naive. Yes there ae some exceptions There are exceptions to everything. And I have said I amassuming the passion and want are their. The question was what is teh most important need and all teh passion and want being equal money is It can buy enough lessons to get an average skater to competitive,it can get you to the competitions you need to be"seen" at It can get you the extra training with "name" coaches It can get you a better choreographed program than the next kid.As I said Im talking at novice and above level and taking the "passion" for granted that all kids who stay in it for any length of time have that passion

[hippiechick]

You have to never give up and don't be discouraged by all of the obstacles you will encounter. There will be many. Money alone will not get you there, there are many wealthy skaters who have fallen by the wayside. You need to be completely focused on what you want, and be on top of your situation. You will need to look for opportunites and do not let them slip by. You have to want to be a champion more than anything, and be willing to sacrifice all for this goal. Then you need to have CONFIDENCE in yourself, you will project that when you are on the ice. You also need alot of patience, as in ice dance skaters do not become champions overnight, it takes many YEARS of training and working very hard before it happens. And you do have to play the game, you do have to have the 'right' coach and represent the 'right' skating club.

[Thumos]

Not being plagued by low self-esteem would be a good start.

[JD]

To some extent, I do think money has its place. As a skater's parent, I think it takes a little more than money though... In order of whats needed, and maybe I'm wrong--here goes for making a "champion":
I'm assuming ice is a given...

DESIRE [the child's, not the parents-get your own dream]
Willing to learn
Genetic predisposition [the body type]
TALENT
HARD WORK
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT [from family and friends]
money
proper coaching technique

We've been told by a top "name" Canadian coach that its 60% hard work and 40% talent that makes a champion....

Without the first 6---money will mean nothing....

I don't know that everyone has to be a champion....it would be nice to have some quality coaches out there at the end of the day too....

[love2sk8]

It definitly takes passion, hard-work and determination...when you wake up in the morning, you have to want to go to the rink and train, because if you can't find it in yourself, then no one is going to give you the encouragement and support that is also necessary when the training isn't going very well. I think you also have to have that fire in you, one that when you perform, theres nowhere else in the world you'd rather be, and you have to show the audience/judges the love that you have for the sport and what you do. When training isn't going very well, you have to know that with positives, there will be negatives, and the negatives will help you grow into a better skater, and give you more experience in the end.

[bonnie]

Simple. Look to Oxsana Grishuck and her work ethic.

[today]

I totally disagree that money is the first requirement. Yes competitive skating is incredibly expensive. BUT money does not equal championships. Many top skaters came from less than wealthy families. In our club some of the top skaters are well off but equal numbers are not. The coach wants the best skater on the ice not the richest. Coaches build their reputations on the achievements of their skaters so many will bend over backwards to ensure that a talented skater can continue. A top skater brings in many many little wanna bees into a club and is a great asset to a club and a coach. Coaches can defer payments, work around skater's job schedules, borrow costumes, get sponsors, have the skater coach for them etc. Families often fundraise, work extra jobs, and cut corners wherever possible.
The skater must be TALENTED and this must go hand in hand with an extreme work ethic. Hard work can overcome some weaknesses in talent and incredible talent can overcome some deficiancies in work ethic. But in order to reach a top three in senior nationals you must have both. Lack of money can be worked around, lack of ability can not.

(I have some aquaintance with at least a dozen dance and pair teams (novice to senior) and I don't know of any where the girl's family pays the guys expenses. Perhaps this is more common in other countries than Canada?

[Skatingsarah]

Money is definetly important, I wouldnt say that it is the number one priority, but I think its pretty high up there. Its true that a skater or skaters must have long term goals, passion, dedication and an overall love for the sport. As a skater or in this case a team advances, you need money. Its one thing to love a sport and be dedicated to it but a totally different thing to support that passion.
Although it is very rare to find a combination much like this infact many skaters have a story of their own. Infact I think it was Todd Eldgrige who was on the verge of quitting but the support of the community kept him going!
Another example is Tara Lipinski her father had to live away from home to pay for her skating at his job. While Tara and her mother moved to her training sight.
In conclusion all of these sacrifices were done in the name of passion but for what reason...Money. So it shows that money is definetly not left out in any situation, it will always control the skating world. But inturn the skater must have the extreme dedication and passion to keep on trucking on and to keep on believing. Infact I think skating is 90% mental and 10% technique. I believe that because no matter what your mind and in this case passion overrides any talent...Especailly skating~!

-Just my opinion
*Sarah

[Gaela]

So--money is a base requirement, clearly. Without it, a person takes their passion and talent to another sport or activity. People prepare for years to attend the World Scrabble Championships and win the grand prize of $100,000.

These discussions about money always confuse me a bit, because different people have different ideas about "wealthy" I think. To my view anyone who can find $50,000 a year for a skaters' training is wealthy--but if you are a household which has, say, $150,000 a year to play with, you probably don't think of yourself as "wealthy", you look to the millionaires and call them wealthy.

Face it, skating is a monied sport in North American anyhow. Not so in China, or Russia (maybe it is now?. Lots of fans seem to have the money to go around to the different competitions as well. The US is a very rich country, Canada is quite rich. And unfortunately a kid of a lower middle class family, or even middle, probably won't make it in skating--parents also have to have the free time to take the kid to all the lessons and competitions, which means that one parent, usually the mom, doesn't have to work.

[hippiechick]

Th parents have to be passionate about it too and do their own part to make it happen for the child. The parents have to make the time available to drive the kid to lessons; the parents have to politik and find and be accepted by the right coaches and rinks. The parents have to find the right costume person, stylist and designer for the ever increasingly expensive costumes as the child moves up in the sport. Sometimes I think too much money at hand can be a hindrance as those types of families think that their money alone can buy everything and everyone they need. Sometimes however they just don't have that spark, that talent, that drive and passion to succeed because it just looks like something more they can buy to them. The underdog who has to try a little harder and knows it, and has more obstacles to overcome perhaps has a better advantage after all. The obstacles give them the desire and determination to succeed and not give up! they know it's not something their money can buy as they don't have any money! So they know they will have to achieve success some other way than by buying it.

[Gaela]

Although money can't buy passion and determination, for sure, nor medals, how could a two income household with several kids earning $50,000 Canadian a year, support a kid in skating? For example she's a receptionist earning $25,000 gross a year, and he's a high school teacher or middle manager earning $50,000 gross, before taxes? There are a lot of people in this income bracket in Canada, and I think in the US as well.

Face it, you just couldn't afford a kid in skating, and it would be the exception among families in this income bracket who could find a way to afford everything necessary to give a child who was talented in skating a chance to compete at a high level. Even with scholarships and such.

My guess is that only families that can afford it ever consider skating lessons as a serious option for their kids, anyhow--just like they would not consider equestrian training. The poor send their kids to swimming lessons at the local community lessons--much of the middle class kids are involved in team sports like soccer, or fairly low cost sports like track. . .

Then you do have the rich parents who force their kids to do things like skating and try to 'buy' them medals. Too much money is not necessarily a good thing, but wealth is not necessarily an obstacle. Many parents with money have their kids' best interests and talents at heart, but then so do many who are less wealthy. Money just determined what different choices parents can offer their kids, not the attitude they have to the child.

[adrianchew]

Originally posted by Gaela

Although money can't buy passion and determination, for sure, nor medals, how could a two income household with several kids earning $50,000 Canadian a year, support a kid in skating?

A lot of sacrificies and probably running up a huge debt in the process with no exactly idea of how they're going to pay it off. Its been done before and isn't always pretty. Maybe taking on extra jobs like a 2nd or 3rd job or working at the rink to get the kid some free ice time, etc.

[Ellyn]

Originally posted by Gaela My guess is that only families that can afford it ever consider skating lessons as a serious option for their kids, anyhow--just like they would not consider equestrian training. The poor send their kids to swimming lessons at the local community lessons--much of the middle class kids are involved in team sports like soccer, or fairly low cost sports like track. . .

Middle-class families can give their children skating lessons and many do. But with maybe 2 or 3 or 5 or even 10 hours of ice time a week and inexperienced coaches, only the exceptionally talented will make enough progress quickly enough to encourage the families or coaches to find ways for them to devote themselves to training for a competitive career.

Most *skaters* (not most competitive skaters, who are a small subset of all skaters) are in it for fun and exercise and will stick with it only as long as it remains fun. When they reach the point where they would need to devote more time and more resources to making visible progress (like finally mastering that axel or double axel despite trying for years already), they may quit and turn their attention elsewhere.

That doesn't mean that the months or years of lessons and practice in the meantime were wasted if they got what they wanted from it at the time. If they had unrealistic goals of national and international medals, or pushed too hard and sustained serious injuries, that's another story...