We’re breaking it all down, from the scoring system to fan-favorites.
While plenty of Olympic events fly under the microwave radar , figure skating is not one of them . In fact , the sport remains one of the most pop competitions at the Winter Games . But gliding across the ice and leaping through the tune with near - perfect precision is far from as gentle as it front . Slap on a pair of skates , run into the rink , and tell me otherwise .
While trying to keep cut across ofthe meticulous grading systemand ruler rule book , you might see yourself a fleck illogical as to what ’s actually croak down on the icing — which is why I ’m here to help .
What is figure skating?
While it might seem like an obvious answer , there ’s a lot more complexness that goes into professional figure skating , and it likely looks unlike than your personal definition . It ’s not only a extremely technical sport that ’s performed on frappe in individuals , pairs , and groups ; it also features intricate jumps , spins , turn of events , toss , and steps , all accompanied by euphony .
The sport first joined the Olympics on indoor rink at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London and has remained a part of the Games on and off for over a century . In 1924 , the effect was impress to the Winter Olympics , where both the US and Russia have proceed to dominate the contention . The US has call for 51 shape skate medalsalone , 15 of which were gold , while Russia / The Soviet Union ’s trophy showcase features 49 medals .
Who are the fan-favorite figure skating competitors this year?
There ’s been much buzz surrounding Russia Olympic Committee ’s Kamila Valieva — who previously beat out Alexandra Trusova for her spot in December — as a buff - favorite in the women ’s competition,11 Alive reports . And while the case-by-case event has yet to kick off , Valieva is already produce waves . In the team free skate contest , in which Russia take home gold , the wizard figure skater made chronicle as thefirst woman to ever bring down a quadruple jumping in the Olympics .
Meanwhile , in the men ’s class , six - time US Au medallist Nathan Chen looks to be a shoo - in , while Japan ’s Yuzuru Hanyu , who nabbed the amber in 2014 and 2018 , is also gun for a spot at the top of the ambo .
What are the rules? What is the scoring system look like?
We ’re perish to stress and explain this in a way that actually makes sense . Each skater or pair has seven hour on the ice , consisting of both the short and foresighted computer program . According toVox , the cardinal principle is " more rotations are better than few rotation " and " do n’t fall . "
skater can earn point for overall introduction and artistry while also grow them for step sequences , jump , and spins . But in the cognitive process of earning them — for example , by hitting all six jump , including the toe grommet , the loop , the salchow , the flip , the lutz , and the axel — you may also lose them via deductions . Fall on the shabu ? That ’s an automatic one - point deduction . Of course , athletes can make up for those mistakes in the 2nd half of their programme too .
There are two critical components to the marking system in name skating : theTechnical Elements Score ( TES)and theProgram Component Score ( PCS ) . The former is all about executing those technological elements , whereas the latter analyze the artistry behind the performance . Typically , there is a nine - person control board of justice and a three - person technical commission , NBC Olympics report .
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consider there ’s a whole lot to keep caterpillar tread of , Professional Skaters Association board member Janet Tremer suggests fans just pose back and enjoy .
" What I would recommend is to sit back , observe the skating , enjoy it , and see how you would grade [ the skaters ] just from a layperson ’s perspective,“Tremer said in a phone interview with Thrillist in 2018 . " What did you enjoy ? Who seemed vertical most of the prison term ? Did you enjoy it as a performance ? And if you did , then they probably did thing that were simpler than the other skaters , or they did their difficult things really well . "
What are the green and red scoring boxes?
The little cherry and green boxes in the lefthand nook near the scoring box seat assist you keep track of each skater ’s Technical Elements Score . Because skater submit their planned elements ahead of time , each gray box represents the technological elements they project to deplumate off — and when they gogreen , they ’ve successfully carry through the skill . Naturally , theredbox represent a failed skill . However , if it appears yellow , it will be reviewed and flipped to one or the other .
Where to watch figure skating at the Olympics
Coverage of the Beijing Olympics , including figure skating events , will send on NBC and rain buckets via Peacock . According to NBC Sports , primetime insurance coverage get Monday through Friday at 8 pm EST and Sunday at 7 post-mortem examination EST .
The 2022 Winter Olympics figure skating schedule
Thursday , February 3
Saturday , February 5
Sunday , February 6
Monday , February 7
Wednesday , February 9
Saturday , February 12
Sunday , February 13
Tuesday , February 15
Thursday , February 17
Friday , February 18
Saturday , February 19
Check back during the Games for all of Thrillist’scontinuing Olympics coverage . Think of us like an all - knowing supporter look out along with you to answer all the most important inquiry , likehow heavy Olympic laurel wreath are , or how you could tellthe departure between luge , skeleton , andbobsled . We ’ll explain everything fromwhy the ternary axel is such a big mint , to howthe Russian squad found a sneaky elbow room to wear its flagdespite a ban , and much , much more .
