A skater is really good when he or she comes in first when competing against the ISI Rulebook. If a skater places second to the book, there are things to improve.
A Boy Loses to the ISI Book
From Jo Ann Schneider Farris, About.com
In ISI events, if there is no one to compete against in an event, the skater competes "against THE BOOK," which is the standard set in the ISI Rulebook.
Courtesy of Artist Larisa Gendernalik
Figure Skating Competitions
What is Competing Against the Book?Placing Second to a Book?
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