| Although ice skating has a long history it is pretty | | | | standards for skating, anyone could put on their ice |
| much impossible to know exactly when and where it | | | | skates and if they felt that they were good enough |
| was born. It is known that the sport began in Europe | | | | to qualify then they would. This is dramatically |
| and then the Americans adapted figure skating just | | | | different from the sport today as candidates now |
| before the civil war. | | | | have to undergo a series of tests and challenges in |
| At this time a dancing and skating craze was | | | | order to compete. |
| sweeping America and all anyone wanted to do was | | | | Perhaps one of the reasons why figure skating has |
| put their ice skates on and have fun. It was Jackson | | | | progressed so much is because ice skates |
| Haines who revolutionised figure skating in America | | | | themselves have developed and become a lot easier |
| because what was once a stiff and rigid style had | | | | to use. Ice skates were traditionally made from |
| now become daring and exciting with his combination | | | | animal bones which would not have been very ideal |
| of skating and dancing. | | | | for figure skaters who need to be able to move |
| Local skating clubs had been formed and | | | | around a lot so they can do turns, jumps and |
| competitions had been held since the middle of the | | | | acrobatics. Ice skates became a lot better for figure |
| 19th Century but it was a long time before figure | | | | skaters in 1848 when the first all steel clamp was |
| skating became a recognised sport. However, more | | | | invented. This was shortly followed by the |
| and more people were putting their ice skates on | | | | introduction of the two plate all metal blade. The |
| and the sport was becoming so popular that the | | | | blade was attached directly to the boots which made |
| United States Figure Skating Association was formed | | | | dance moves, jumps and spins possible. In the 1870s |
| in 1921. | | | | the first toe picks were added to ice skates which |
| The sport has come a long way since the 1920s | | | | made toe pick jumps possible for the first time. |
| however. At that time there were only seven | | | | It is undeniable that ice skates and the sport they |
| charter member clubs of U.S figure skating whereas | | | | belong to have come a long way over recent years |
| there are now more than 600 member clubs across | | | | and have become a very enjoyable activity to watch. |
| the country. As well as this, in the 20s there were no | | | | |