1980 US Nationals School Figures Jackie Ferrell / Ch. Tickner

[dolcevitausa]

I shudder thinking of all that time I spent tracing figure after figure on 5:30AM patch sessions.... too bad they did away with them long after I was done skating

[k9henrydog]

Yes, I used to get depressed about spending so much time tracing lines in the ice!! Only to have them melt within an hour!! Shame there is no outlet for figures....we ought to be making use of something we invested so much time in!! Maybe someday they will return, somewhere!! best wishes

[r3sfernjbb]

@k9henrydog : ISI will have figure events at some of their National events. It gives us an opportunity to learn them and then perform them.

[hepcatintheworld]

Thank you!

I'm really in awe of figures. What amazing skill and control it takes.

[k9henrydog]

Well, it mostly takes hundreds of hours of practice on expensive "patch" sessions! that's one reason it is such a state of decline....i do wish a serious competitive event could be established for the sport...like you say, it is extraordinarily beautiful when done well!!!!

[hepcatintheworld]

Who is the commentator? She looks familiar, and I assume she is a figure skater because she's so stiff! Thanks for putting this up - figures are fascinating.

[k9henrydog]

She is Susan Johnson, a prominent, long time, southern judge. She was also on the 1996 Olympic ladies event judging panel! She put a lot of effort into getting the Nationals in Atlanta in 1980, for the first time. Best wishes.