Short program in figure skating

The first performance

A singles or pair skating competition consists of two segments: the short program and the free skate. In ice dance, the first segment is called the rhythm dance. The short program is shorter and more strictly regulated. For seniors it lasts about two minutes and 40 seconds, with a small tolerance.

Required elements

In singles, the ISU rules prescribe which elements must be shown. These include:

• an Axel jump (double or triple Axel), see Axel,
• another solo jump,
• a jump combination of two jumps,
• three spins of different kinds,
• a step sequence.

The exact requirements, such as which jumps are allowed, differ between women, men and juniors and are regularly adjusted by the ISU. Anyone who omits or incorrectly performs a required element receives no or fewer points for it. Additional elements earn nothing.

Why the short program matters so much

The short program is hardly forgiving of mistakes. A fall or a botched jump costs a lot of points that are hard to make up in the free skate. In addition, only the best skaters qualify for the free skate at major championships. At the World Championships, that means the top 24 in singles. Anyone who fails in the short program is out.

Scoring

The score is made up of the technical score for the elements and the program components, which assess composition, presentation and skating skills. Each element is also marked with the GOE. Details are in judging system. The points from the short program and free skate are added together.

Music and choreography

For some years now, music with vocals has been allowed in singles and pairs, which has greatly changed the choice of programs. Many skaters keep a short program for a whole season and refine it from competition to competition. A successful short program blends the required elements with the music so that they don't feel like a checklist.

For spectators

Because the elements are fixed, short programs are easy to compare. If you know that an Axel, a combination and three spins have to come, you can count along and spot mistakes yourself.

Juniors and pairs

Juniors have their own, somewhat simpler requirements. In pair skating, the short program includes a lift, a throw jump, a death spiral and synchronised jumps by both partners, among others.

History of the short program

The short program was introduced in singles in 1973, at the time as an addition to compulsory figures and the free skate. After compulsory figures were abolished in 1990, the competition consisted only of the short program and free skate. In ice dance, the short dance replaced the compulsory and original dances in 2010; since 2018 it has been called the rhythm dance.

Score records

The ISU keeps best scores for each segment. Because the judging system was changed in 2018 with the new GOE scale, today's record lists begin with the 2018/19 season. Older scores are considered historical bests and are not directly comparable.

Relevance for the German-speaking region

For skaters from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the short program often decides qualification for the free skate at World Championships. A clean skate there can be worth more than a risky quad.

Typical sources of error

Common point losses in the short program come from a failed combination in which the second jump is missing, or from a fall on the Axel. Because no repetition is allowed, such mistakes are hard to make up.