Why We (or I) Love Watching Olympic Figure Skating

Since I was a little girl I have always LOVED watching figure skating.  I love the pairs, women's and men's,  and now the ice dancing.  Granted, being a little girl, it might have had more to do with the sparkly costumes and the beautiful women gliding across the ice and flying through the air with the greatest of ease that fascinated me so.  The artistry and beauty of the routines, the choreography, the music, the jumps and twirls were mesmerizing to me.  They still are.  However, now, I have such a deeper appreciation for what these young men and women do in each performance.  THESE FOLKS ARE ATHLETES!  
I watch what they do on the ice with sheer amazement and awe.  

I think about disceting their routines and movement and taking it off the ice.  That means they are moving, leaping, jumping and twirling up to three times in the air before landing.  I think of the strength in their legs and core.  I think of the men lifting their female partners up and over their heads, often with one arm.  From that  position the female may perform a split, an amazing leg lift or be thrown into a spin only to land one one leg in a deep lunge.  Think of the arm strength, the core strength, the lower body strength, the flexibility and agility to perform the lift combination or jump coming from each person.  The focus and timing has to be impeccable.  Then to make the movement look artistic and effortless and beautiful. (These folks don't bite their lips, grunt and swear and furrow their brows while performing their feats!)

Now take all of that amazing strength, speed and timing and move it to the ice.  They perform these ridiculously difficult moves while perched upon a tiny, thin little metal blade.  On slippery, fast, slick ice.  Really.  The physics of it all is unbelievable!  

There are so many images showing examples of real strength, agility, and flexibility while using all of those elements with true grace, ease and beauty.  
As a male partner swirls the female with her head 2 inches above the ice,  I'm thinking she's hoping his hand isn't sweaty and he's strong enough to keep swinging her round and round! Think about the lift and throws from a male while the female  twirls, keeps her height and lands gracefully on one leg without buckling or falling on her bottom.  Then there's the move where the male holds the female above his head.  How amazingly strong he is to hold her completely above his head with one arm and how strong her core and balance is to hold herself from flopping over.  What about the really low one legged twirl with the other leg extended.  I know I couldn't get that low in a one legged squat while one leg extends and then spins in a million circles. And maybe you can do a high kick like some skaters, but can you get a leg behind you right by your ponytail and grab it with both hands . . . while on skates and spinning in a ridiculous amount of circles? I think I can arch my back, but the thought of doing it on blades and spinning around without getting dizzy enough to hurl is a bit daunting. 


Even if you don't really like the sport I think it's hard not to see the strength, hard work, and athleticism required of these skaters.  Even a guy's guy like The Husband should be able to see and appreciate the ability of these Olympians and know that these folks are TRUE ATHLETES.

So, what do you think about skating?  Love it as much as I?  Do you watch for the sparkly outfits?  Do you appreciate the athleticism?   Do you love figure skating as much as I?   What is your favorite winter sport?  Getting ready for Olympic withdrawals?  


Happy Day to All!- See more at: http://www.marla-deen-fit.net/#sthash.uDnG0PQR.dpuf