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March, 2002 A Slice of Ice
Jay Serpe Competes at US Nationals The excitement began early in his trip, when an unofficial practice session led to a chance meeting with Paul Wylie, who had some very nice things to say about Jay’s skating. Another highlight was the draw party, at which competitors draw to determine the order of skating. The party’s theme was “Hooray for Hollywood,” so skaters selected numbered Oscars, instead of chips or slips of paper. The day after the draw party, Jay skated his short program to an enthusiastic audience, but suffered a groin injury during his practice session that evening. The following day, Jay, heavily bandaged by the capable USFSA medical team, took the ice for his performance warm-up, but finally agreed with them that he would be unable to perform his long program. “When I first left the ice,” said Jay, “I was really upset. Later, I realized that I have next year to possibly compete again. Now, I’m really looking forward to showing everyone what I can do next year!” Although he skated only once, he obviously made an impression the USFSA officials. Several judges, as well as coaches who had seen Jay’s short program, came up to Barbara Easley and expressed their disappointment that Jay was unable to continue.. In fact, Alexandra Stevenson placed the following on the USFSA website after the Novice Men’s final standings were posted: John C. Serpe of the Richmond Figure Skating Club withdrew due to injury after finishing eighth in the short. Serpe, in a tuxedo, made mistakes in his short program but the audience enjoyed his entertaining [“Top Hat”] and it was a shame they didn't get an opportunity to see his long program. Jay, we’re all proud of you!
The RFSC Gold Mine Cindy Bulik, (Dance), Steffi David (MITF & Freestyle), Lindsey Floyd (MITF & Freestyle), Susan Hermann (MITF), Jennifer Serpe (MITF & Freestyle), Jay Serpe (MITF), and Sun Hei Yu (MITF): all of these RFSC skaters have passed tests to reach significant milestones in their skating careers – USFSA Gold Medals. A USFSA Gold Medal is earned by mastering the skills required to pass all of the test levels in that skating discipline. The Test Structure: There are eight Freestyle and Moves in the Field test levels: Pre-Preliminary, Preliminary, Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Novice, Junior and Senior. Each Freestyle level requires mastery of six to eight jumps and spins with connecting moves. Moves in the Field judges look for achievement of effortless, flowing, graceful completions of set patterns and footwork. There are several patterns for each Moves test, and higher levels build upon the skills mastered at the lower ones. Moves in the Field tests may be taken independently from the comparable Freestyle tests, but satisfactory completion of the appropriate Moves test is a prerequisite for taking a Freestyle test. Gold Medallists in Freestyle, therefore, have successfully completed eight Moves tests and eight Freestyle tests for USFSA test judges. USFSA divides Dance into thirteen classes, including nine levels of compulsory dances with three dances each, and four Free Dance classes. The dance classes are Preliminary, Juvenile Free Dance, Intermediate Free Dance, Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Novice Free Dance, Pre-Silver, Silver, Junior Free Dance, Pre-Gold, Gold, Senior Free Dance, Junior International and Senior International. Feelings: How did it feel to pass? “AWESOME,” according to Sun Hye. “I feel really good!” Cindy, on the other hand says, “When I passed, all I could do was cry – all the way to the Philly Airport. I couldn’t believe I had FINALLY achieved this goal I had since 1972!!!!” Feelings were both emotional and physical for Steffi. She passed her last freestyle test after a week of fighting stomach flu. We all watched her as she courageously skated her program, and got off the ice without waiting for judges’ comments. After a brief break, Steffi took the ice again for a reskate. “I felt really good when I learned that I passed. Then, I just wanted to go to bed.” The Long Road to Gold: Our RFSC Gold Medallists spent years developing their skills and passing their required tests. Steffi David began testing when she was 8 or 9 years old, and completed her MITF and Freestyle tests at seventeen. Steffi and Sun Hye Yu began testing with figures, Sun Hye in her native Korea. “The USFSA was kind enough to give me credit for the figures tests I took in Korea,” says Sun Hye. Because of this credit, Sun Hye was able to complete her MITF tests in only two years. It’s Cindy Bulik, however, who holds the RFSC time record for achieving a gold medal. Cindy began taking her dance tests when she was 14. After recovering from a broken back, and with interruptions for education and family, Cindy completed testing her dances 27 years later! Golden Advice: 2. And for a test session strategy, Cindy passes on advice from her dance coach, Susan Hermann: Don’t spend it all on the first pattern. 3. To help a skater deal with the pressures of testing, FS Medallist Steffi suggests taking breaks now and then. “Don’t give up,” Steffi insists. “After you’ve had a break, go back to it. Prove to yourself and to others that you can do it.”
Ho, Ho, Ho! How many did you know? 1. Cindy Bulik Our winners: Laura Pickard, Sydney Strabley & Kateland Snead
Place Your Ad! 1 page … $100.00 For more information, see the ad request form in RFSC Box or contact the newsletter editor.
SkateNation Plus Holiday Skating Spectacular The local skater’s group performances were choreographed by Lauren Garvin, Olga Mudrak, Elena Betchke, Stephanie Faust, and Rebecca Arnowitz - all members of the SkateNation Plus figure skating coaching staff. RFSC members had a great time skating on the beautiful purple ice that SkateNation put down for the performance. Some of the hockey boards were taken down, which gave local skaters the chance to experience the feel of true "performance" skating. Local soloists included: Madison Culbreth, Samantha Bird, Danielle Bartulewicz, Katelin Manning, Jessica F. Smith, Alissa Babaeva, Nicole Zawojski, Ashley Hendrickson, Celeste Eisinger, Mary Wynn Rogers, Aditi Joshi, Kylie Hoy, Mamie Woolfolk, Tessa Vinson, Holly Sealy, Stefanie David, Stefany Fisher, Kayla Ward, & Amanda Bird.
A Glance Back to: Ice Shows In 1915, the Hippodrome in New York City staged one of the earliest professional ice shows. The show featured German skater Charlotte Oelschlagel, starring in “Flirting in St. Moritz,” an ice ballet imported from Berlin. It was a hit in New York, and ran for almost a whole year. The show was so popular, it was the inspiration for “Frozen Warning,” the first motion picture focusing on ice skating. One of the first traveling shows, the 1936 Ice Follies, was produced by Oscar Johnson, and Edward and Roy Shipstad. Other popular U.S. shows included the Ice Capades, Hollywood Ice Review, and the Sonja Henie Ice Revue. They featured ingeniously-constructed mobile rinks, complete with portable (“Ice Shows” continued from previous page) refrigeration units. The early ice shows were extravaganzas with large casts, elaborate costumes and huge props. Audiences flocked to watch the graceful, elegantly-clad skaters glide across the ice. In its thirty-year history, for example, the Ice Follies played to over 60,000,000 people. Declining economic trends, however, made these traditional ice shows increasingly difficult to stage. By the late 1960s, ice shows began to trim their casts, eliminating the large chorus lines and emphasizing a small group of big-name skaters. Individual stars were spotlighted in these variety shows on ice. Gradually, the star-studded shows developed underlying themes. Singles skaters perform programs to the show’s theme music, such as rock and roll or country/western, and the skaters to work as pairs or come together for full-cast group numbers. Although much smaller in scope than the first ice extravaganzas, modern professional ice shows are spectacles combining intricate choreography, brilliant lighting, gorgeous costumes, special musical scores, and careful direction. Large or small, ice shows continue to fascinate both skaters and non-skaters. Although edited televised skating competitions and shows compete with the live shows for viewers’ attention, a small screen in a cozy living room cannot replace the sights, sounds and excitement of a live ice show in a cool, darkened arena. The costumes, choreography, lighting and presentation all make trips to ice shows fondly-remembered family outings.
RIZ Skaters Create Holiday Sparkle Skaters began preparing for the extravaganza in November. One hour a week, the entire group of 50+ skaters worked with coaches who volunteered their time and talent to develop an entire ensemble opening and finale, as well as group numbers performed by the Richmond Ice Zone Youth Skaters, Adult Skaters, ant Tots (endearingly known as our “Snowflakes.”) From modest beginnings, the group numbers began to solidify until, finally, it was showtime! And what a show it was! The costumes, the lighting, the music, the décor, and the choreography all fused together to create a magical holiday spirit. From the opening notes of “Adeste Fideles,” to the grand finale featuring the entire cast skating with hand-held candle lights to the solemn “Silent Night,” the spirit of the season permeated the rink. The program ended on a light note as our skating Santa Claus (who else can claim a Santa who can do an outside spread eagle?) made his appearance as the cast skated in a conga line around the rink perimeter. The show owes much of its success to the cooperative spirit of the rink management, coaches, and the skaters who worked and played together to bring to the audience a superb holiday treat. According to Dawn Harwood, Show Director, “It was a wonderful and heartwarming experience that was a pleasure to put together with a group of very talented and caring coaches. The friendship and bond between the all the skaters and parents was a joy, combined with the extra effort of rink owner Brad Robinson, it was the true spirit of Christmas. I am looking forward to our second annual Richmond Ice Zone Christmas production.
Competition Results
Correction: Georgia Todd got 2nd in Juv FS and 4th in the Juv. Comp at the Diamond Skate Autumn Skate. Congratulations, Georgia!
Good Job! Pre-Preliminary Moves: Susannah Coleman, Kylie Hoy, Ryan Edwards, Rachel Bellet
WANTED: Volunteers
Jay Serpe was selected for Who’s Who in American High Schools, 2001.
Dance Fever: Understanding Partnering Positions The kilian hold can be used when both partners are facing the same direction. It is usually the first partnering position a dancer learns. The lady is on the man’s right side. He places his right arm around her back and has his right hand on her right hip, her left hand in his left hand. The lady places her right thumb in his right palm with her fingers over his. The lady will be slightly in front of the man in the position. In kilian hold, the skaters will do the same steps together. The reverse kilian is the same as the kilian, except that the woman skates at the man’s left. Waltz hold is introduced at the USFSA Pre-Bronze level with the Swing Dance. The skaters face each other. One skater moves backward while the other moves forward. In this hold, the man puts his left hand on the lady’s mid-back, palm flat. The lady rests her left hand just on the inside of the man’s right shoulder. The man holds the lady’s right hand in his left. This hold is more complex because the skaters do not perform the same steps at the same time, and the partners must keep a constant tension between themselves so that they skate as one unit. In waltz position, the partner skating backward sets the pattern for the couple. The skater learns the foxtrot hold at the Bronze level. The foxtrot hold is much like the waltz hold, except that both skaters face the same direction. The skaters’ shoulders and hips are against one another in this position. The lady is to the man’s right, on the outside of the lobe being skated, although partner position relative to the lobe being skated may change. The Hickory Hoedown can be done in either foxtrot or kilian position. The Pre-Bronze Cha-Cha may also be done in foxtrot hold, but the easier kilian is usually used at that level. IMPORTANT REMINDER: When skating with a partner, there should always be some tension or pressure in the position. Skaters should not be stiff in the upper body, but should be comfortably firm. In kilian hold, the man will provide pressure inward on the lady with both arms, while the lady presses outward and down with the left arm and palm, her right hand firmly holding his left on her hip. In waltz and foxtrot, the man presses the lady gently toward him with his right hand on her back, while she presses gently away from him with her left hand. His left hand and her right press against each other. This way, the dancers always have that constant, gentle tension in the dance hold, which is essential for correct tracking. Thanks to Gary Shortland and Cindy Bulik for demonstrating. Rules for Ice Dancers
Living with Subjectivity At the Olympic games, we all saw a rare instance of successful protest of judging corruption. This does not mean that every time we don’t like our results or our placement that we should stage protest. There is no question that results will occasionally infuriate us. We have all been through competitions where we KNEW we deserved better. So how can we learn to live with subjectivity? If you watch the elite skaters in the unfortunately named “kiss and cry” area (the name seems terribly unsportslike—I have difficulty imagining shot-putters sitting with their coach in a kiss and cry area!), you will see a wide range of reactions to scores that skaters think are below what they deserve. Some skaters roll their eyes, shake their heads, cry, or leave the area and some (I am thinking of Sarah Hughes) just smile and look as if she is skating to her own internal standard. Without sounding too much like a psychologist, if you only rely on the judges for your own self-evaluation, you will have difficulty developing confidence in your own skating. You (and your coach) need to become the most accurate and unbiased critics of your skating. Although the judges’ decisions are obviously important in terms of the outcome of the test session or the competition, ultimately it is most important to assess how well you skated according to your own standard. Allow yourself to judge your own performance. You and your coach will have developed standards for your performance—whether we are talking about an ISI Pre-Alpha program or a senior level national long program. Whether you review a videotape of your performance or simply review it in your head–ask the hard questions. Do “I” think I bent my knees on my swizzles? Do “I” think I two footed my quad toe loop? Do “I” think I cheated my loop jump? Do “I” think I kept my head up and really had expression? Then give yourself marks. It is important to learn how to critique your own skating (as long as you pat yourself on the back for the things you do well too). It is important that you not just look for flaws. Make sure you also ask yourself what you did well. This process will help you improve. After you look at that tape YOU can decide what you really have to work on next time. With each test session or competition, the judging panel changes. In contrast, you carry your own personal performance standards around with you no matter where you are skating. Judges are just people, and like all people, they have personal pre-ferences. Although their opinions are clearly important, the most important evaluation of your skating has to come from you and from your coach.
Coming Competitions
Pilates Primer First, some things that Pilates is NOT: So, if it isn’t yoga and it isn’t stretching, what is it? Here’s a little history: Pilates is a system of exercise created by German-born Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. Joseph Pilates suffered from asthma and other diseases as a child, but overcame his illness and weakness with exercise and body-building. He refined his exercise techniques during World War I when he was interned as an ‘enemy alien’. During this time, he trained his fellow internees by attaching springs to hospital beds, so even bedridden patients could become stronger and healthier. What Are Pilates Exercises? Why Is Pilates Valuable To Skaters? 1. A strong core helps you maintain a straight vertical axis during jumps. Pilates is a good addition to your off-ice training. You still need cardio (which Pilates does not provide) and you still need plyometrics (which, again, Pilates does not provide.) Look for group Pilates classes at The Richmond Ice Zone now and this summer taught by Norvell Robinson. Norvell also offers private Pilates sessions and group Pilates classes at The Art of Fitness: Pilates, Dance, & More in Cary Court shopping center, 3152 W. Cary Street, 804-264-0655. For more information about pilates, go to www.balancedbody.com.
Look for the next issue of Slice of Ice
Jen Serpe was elected Senior Class Vice President!
Richmond Figure Skating Club
Cruising the Internet with Java Jen The first site is http://www.icewear.com. It’s a decent site offering some cute dresses at reasonable prices. They offer special orders so you can get a specific color or accommodate for different body types. In fact, one of the unique things about this site is that they have a trial sizing offer. For $10, they send you a kit with which you determine your measurements. Send it back to them, and they’ll send you a leotard to fit those measurements. And, you get to keep the leotard! Not a bad deal! But the dress designs were ho-hum, and nothing that you couldn’t find locally. Two cups o’java for this site. Sharene’s, at http://www.shareneskatewear.com was next, and this has always been one of my favorites. If you’re looking for something that has maximum sparkle, and no sewing fuss, this is the site for you! Here, you’ll find some very original designs with intricate beadwork, if you want it. You CAN buy the designs without the beadwork, but what’s the point?! These dresses are gorgeous with it! Sharene offers returns on certain dresses, and they do have special orders. The dresses tend to be on the pricier side, ranging from $150 - $350, depending on the amount of beadwork you want to have done, and they have a small selection. But, if you’re looking for something original and classy, this is the site to visit. Three cups o’java for this site. I took a nap waiting for the pictures to download from http://www.skatenwear.com. They do carry a full line of skating wear from all the name brands: GK, DelArbor, Capezio, Sharene, Jerry’s, Duck Crossings, Lucky S and othere. Plus, they have other accessories ranging from skates to soakers. Their competition-ready section was blank, the designs were average, and the prices ranged from $50-$200. They can add rhinestones to any dress for a fee, and, for $20/hour, an artist will custom paint the dress with fabric paint. Now, there’s something I hadn’t heard of yet! But, unless you want the rhinestones or the custom painting done, this site was nothing to write home about, since you can purchase the same things locally. One cup o’java for this site. I hope this will help you in your search for the perfect competition dress. If not, you can always dig out the old sewing machine and some lycra and have a whirl at sewing. Good luck!
Those Were the Days! There folIowed the pairs championship, which was won as was expected by the German pair Ria Baran and Paul Falk with a performance of athletics, artistry, and really great skating combined as a demonstration of what is meant by pair skating. It was a faultless exhibition against which even the elements were powerless. The British pair John and Jennifer Nicks, who were second, skated the finest show of their career, good enough to win in any normal year and against average excellence. The Hungarian paIr Laszlo and Marianne Nagy took third place, while the second British pair Lockwood and Home, inexperienced and competing out-of-doors for the first time, more than justified their inclusion in our Olympic team by gaining fifth place, a most creditable start. The ladies' school figures continued this morning when the British champion, Jeannette Altwegg, skating with precision and power, increased her lead over the French girl Jacqueline du Bief. Barbara Wyatt, the British second string, was skating beautifully, as she always does, and is in a strong third place. Later to-night the free skating will take place. The French star will be an out to gain the extra points to give her country its first lady European champion, but Miss Altwegg will have something to say about this. Later. - Miss Altwegg won with Miss du Bief second and Miss B. Wyatt third. |
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