What Were Special Figures?

Figure skating got its name because figure eight patterns were skated on the ice. Jumping and spinning came later. Skaters spent hours and hours each day practicing compulsory figures.

Before there were compulsory figures, there were original and intricate patterns created on the ice by skaters. These designs were called Special Figures.

Further Reading:

• What Were Special Figures?
• Why is Figure Skating Called Figure Skating?

_{Special Figures - Public Domain Illustration}