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1982 BCE
Ways of commuting
It is suggested that ice skating originated in Southern Finland as a means of commute during Winter season. People would skate across frozen water to save time and energy. -
1572
Skating as a sport & Improvements of the ice skates
Scotland the Netherlands were first in developing skating into a sport. The Dutch implementing a sharp edge to the steel blade making them more efficient. Rather than skating over the ice, now they would cut into the it making maneuvers easier. It was after this innovation that Scotland and Netherland turn skating in a sport. Brokaw, Irving “The Art of Skating: Its History and Development, with Practical Directions” 1910
https://www.iceskatehistory.co.uk/vintage.html -
Introductions To Britain
After the exile of James II from the Netherlands, he introduced the sport of ice skating to Britain upon his return. It became increasingly popular, soon people of all stations enjoyed it as a past time. "In The Beginning...", Skating magazine, Jun 1970
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/ice-skating -
First Skating Club Established
Scotland establish the first skating club named Edinburgh Skating Club. At this time members would do more than just skate. They would practice ice skating trick and choreography, a form of figure skating, pushing the boundaries of what they could do on ice. North America was introduced to ice skating by British servicemen. www.britannica.com
The Skating Minister by Henry Raeburn, depicting a member of the Edinburgh Skating Club -
Publishing On Skating
London published its first instructional skating book by lieutenant Robert Jones. It mostly consisted of early figure skating maneuvers such as making figure eights and circles. As a result of the publication skating a different form of skating rose, speed skating. -
Jackson Haines
American Jackson Haines was known as the “father of figure skating”. As a ballet dances. He was the first to implemented dance technics to ice skating. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jackson-Haines -
Artificial Ice Rinks
Refrigerated ice was used to create artificial ice rinks. Ice skating was no longer limited to a seasonal activity. London opened its first artificial ice rink named the Glaciarium. Later, Madison Square Garden in New York followed in 1879. Having made the activity more accessible it gained more popularity converting it to more than just a past time. Smithsonianmag.com -
The International Skating Union (ISU)
As skating became recognized as a popular sport by the papulations, countries began to create their own skating association. Britain, USA, Canada, and others united to create the International Skating Union. The Skating Union was responsible for creating rules for skating sports like speed skating , ice dancing, and figure skating. It also organized international competitions, its first was held at Saint Petersburg in 1896. -
Madge Syers
Syers was a pioneer in the changes to come regarding gender participation in skating. She found a loophole in the rules which failed to specify the gender of participant in figure skating competition. In 1902 she entered the world championship in London and won second place. Three years lather the ISU created an all-women’s competition which she won two years consecutive. http://skateguard1.blogspot.com/2013/06/spotlight-on-madge-syers-mother-of.html -
Introduction Of Skating In The Olympics
By 1908 a limited ice skating competitions were included in the Olympic. The games were held in London where they included figure skating both male and female and pairs. Male Ice hockey was included by 1920s. In 1924 speed-skating was dominated by male athletes. -
Ice Capades
Ice shows gained popularity around this era. Stories like the “Wizard of Oz” in 1961, “my Fair Lady” in 1962 and “at the county Fair” in 1965 were inspiring to young and old. These performances had technical musicality, synchronicity and the ability to work with props. Ice Capade performers would partake in the Olympic skating competition their success had a positive impact on Ice shows. http://proskatinghistoricalfoundation.org/ice-capades-1960s/ -
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Growth in Women’s Inclusion
In 1960 the first women speed-skating championship was held in the Olympics. In 1976 Ice dancing was added to the programs. In 1992 short track speed skating was added as well. By 1998 women’s hokey was introduce in the Olympics.
www.Olympics.org
www.ushockeyhall.com -
Debi Thomas
She is was the first African American ice skater to win the US Figure Skating Competition in 1989 flowed by an Olympic medal in 1988. She was admitted to the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000 for her contribution to Figure skating. -
New Rules And Regulations In Skating
As more games were introduced to the Olympics the ISU created more sophisticated rules and requirements for figure skating. Now a short technical programed needed to be performed with specific goals. Athletes needed to include jumps, spirals, spins, and incorporate music to their performance. -
Braking Cultural Barrios
Skating today transcends cultural differences. In 2017 Zahra Lari was the first female to wear a headscarf and full body costume in the International figure skating competition. She’s promoting future changes to the regulations of skating attire. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/zahra-lari-first-figure-skater-wear-scarf-muslim-uae-abu-dhabi-international-recognition-ice-a8081501.html
