Top 4 Tips Figure Skaters Can Learn from Olympic Gold Medalists Shen and Zhao

 Shen and Zhao's huge split triple twist during their Olympic short program (Photo by Liz Chastney)

Shen and Zhao's huge split triple twist during their Olympic short program (Photo by Liz Chastney)

2010 Olympic pairs champions Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo were two of my favorite role models during my early years in pairs. They still are two of my favorite role models. Shen and Zhao demonstrate qualities which make champions as well as people of good character. Following are 4 top tips figure skaters can learn from Olympic pairs gold medalists Shen and Zhao.

1. When a team is a good match, it pays to stay together.

Now married, Shen and Zhao have been skating together for 18 years. This time has helped them develop their strong elements, great unison, and overall polish to their skating. Their dedication helped them become two of the very best skaters in the sport.

2. Focus on turning your weaknesses into strengths.

Shen and Zhao during their Olympic long program (Photo by Liz Chastney)

Shen and Zhao during their Olympic long program (Photo by Liz Chastney)

In the past, Shen and Zhao had weaknesses artistically, causing them to earn lower scores than the other top teams. They have worked on improving their expression, artistry, and overall skating skills, giving them an edge over the competition. They combined these skating skills with more advanced choreography to create a strong and elegant style. In addition, they now have good unison and speed in their side-by-side spins, formerly their weakest element.

3. Hard work and dedication pay off.

I remember when my sister and I were training as intermediate pairs competitors in Colorado Springs during October 2000. Shen and Zhao were training at our rink for the upcoming Skate America competition. We were lucky to be able to train on sessions with the elite pairs. Shen and Zhao would skate for the whole session, going from element to element and hardly ever stopping for a break. The work ethic they possessed was the best I’ve seen. Although they are now married, Shen and Zhao have continued to show intense dedication to their skating, even living in separate dorm rooms to train for the 2010 Olympics.

4. Nice guys (people) do finish first.

I’ve only heard good things about what nice people Shen and Zhao are. They have always been very humble and well-mannered. Their sportsmanship has been among the best in the sport, and they have always acted professionally regardless of the competition outcome. Not only are Shen and Zhao great role models for figure skaters, but they are great role models for all athletes.

March 9, 2010

Top 4 Tips Figure Skaters Can Learn from Olympic Gold Medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir

Virtue and Moir had incredible levels of difficulty in their Olympic free dance. (Photo by Liz Chastney)

Virtue and Moir had incredible levels of difficulty in their Olympic free dance. (Photo by Liz Chastney)

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir raised ice dance to a new level this season with technical excellence, innovative moves, and smooth, flowing elegance.  They became Olympic gold medalists in the process.  Figure skaters can learn much by following Virtue and Moir’s example.  The following 4 tips are especially noteworthy:

1.  When a team is a good match, it pays to stay together.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir teamed up in 1997.  The example of Olympic silver-medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White adds to this point.  Davis and White also teamed up in 1997.  Two long-standing partnerships had the highest results in the 2010 Olympic ice-dance event.

2.  Smooth stroking pays dividends.

Watch Virture and Moir’s stroking throughout their routines to see the flow and grace it gives them between their moves.  Stroking is one of the most important fundamentals of figure skating, and this team has used it to propel them to the top of the world.

3.  Bend your knees.

Virture and Moir’s knees give them the softness of ballet dancers.  They practically float across the ice in their free dance with their movements looking effortless.  Their knee bend gives them the ability to incorporate some of the most difficult skating maneuvers into their routines.

 

Group hug for training partners Virtue/Moir and Davis/White. (Photo by Liz Chastney

Group hug for training partners Virtue/Moir and Davis/White. (Photo by Liz Chastney)

4. You can be friends with your competitors.

Virture and Moir are close friends and training partners with Meryl Davis and Charlie White.  In an interview, Moir said:

I don’t think either of us would be where we are without the other. We help each other on our bad days, and even push it a little more on the good days. To have each other up there on the podium, side by side, it’s amazing. They’re such great people.

I’m sure they wanted to be up on the top of the podium, but they don’t show any of that to us. . . . They’re just such great friends, and they gave us the best hug.

Virtue and Moir are great role models not just for ice dancers, but for figure skaters in general.  Which of Virtue and Moir’s qualities do you find most helpful?

March 4, 2010