Have you been bombarded with figure skating videos on TikTok? Or are you looking to keep up with it during the fast-approaching 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics? If so, this guide will get you up to speed on the history, main stars, and key moves of figure skating.
The History
Figure skating has existed for hundreds of years, with the earliest clear account being written in the 12th century. However, skating as we know it today did not emerge until the mid to late 1800’s.
This change was brought on by American, Jackson Haines, who was considered to be the ‘father of modern figure skating”. Haines’ style of skating was more expressive and free-flowing (known as the “International style”), a marked difference from the “English style” of skating which was very stiff and formal.
Fun fact! The first recognised figure skating club was founded in Edinburgh between 1742-44. To join, candidates had to pass a test in which they preformed a complete circle on one foot, and then proceeded to jump over one hat, then two, then three hats.
Today, the club is most associated with a painting called ‘The Skating Minister’ by Henry Raeburn, which is on display at the National Galleries of Scotland.
The 1908 London Summer Olympics were the first games to include figure skating as a sport and included 21 competitors from six different countries. Since 1972, there has been both men and women events, as well as a pairs competition.
The International Skating Union
The International Skating Union (ISU) is the governing body that looks over figure skating, speed skating, short-track skating, and synchronised skating.
It was founded in the Netherlands in 1892 and has over 100 member organisations from around 80 countries – making it one of the oldest international sports federations.
The ISU establish the rules around the conduct of skating and organises many of the major competitions for the sport, such as the European Championships and the Four Continents Championships.
The ISU also dictates is the scoring. There are two components.
The Technical Element Score (TES) is where technical elements like jumps, spins, and step sequences are given a base value and judges give a grade of execution, ranging from -5 to 5.
The Program Component Score (PCS) considers the skaters artistry, skill, and performance.
The final score is a combination of both – plus deductions for mistakes such as losing control.
Controversy
Like many other sports, figure skating is not immune to criticism and controversy. It is a sport that has been infamous for its doping accusations, as well as frequent reports of harsh training conditions and regimes enforced by coaches.
For the last three seasons, Russian and Belarusian skaters have not been allowed to compete due to the war in Ukraine. This was a decision made by the ISU after the invasion began and how Belarus’ government is supportive of the attacks.
In the Milan games, skaters from these countries will be allowed to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (INA). This is under the stipulation that the athletes have not voiced support for their governments or the war in Ukraine.
One of the major scandals in the last winter Olympic games was the disqualification of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva after she tested positive for outlawed substances. Valieva was banned for four years – backdated to 2021 – meaning her achievements and results from that season were wiped.
Her coach Eteri Tutberidze will be rink-side in Italy, coaching Adeliia Petrosian, 18, a three time Russian champion.
The Jumps
Some of the most common and talked about jumps – but first, familiarise yourself with the components of the boot!
Axel
The Axel is named after the Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulson. It is one of the hardest jumps to accomplish, and one of the oldest jumps in the sport. It is the only jump that has a forward take-off, making it easier to identify. This forward take off means that it requires inertia and a half rotations to complete it. A double or triple axel is a required move in the short program and the free skating segments as dictated by the ISU.
Salchow
Invented by Swede Ulrich Salchow, the jump starts from the back outside edge of one foot, and ends on the back outside edge of the other foot. Salchows are often categorised as having a sweeping movement, with the knees going knocked just before the jump.
Lutz
Named after Austrian Alois Lutz, the Lutz is a toe-assisted jump that takes off from the outside edge of the blade, landing on the back outside edge of the opposite blade. The Lutz is awarded points based on how many rotations the skater completes, with the base value of a single lutz being 0.6.
The set up of the lutz creates a counterrotation in the skaters movements, creating force in the opposite direction the skater is trying to turn. This is one of the reasons many can struggle with this move.
Toe Loop
The toe loop starts on the outside edge of the blade, with the toe pick tapping the ice to help with getting into the air. This jump is the lowest scoring element.
Waltz
The waltz is a half rotation, taking off from the forward outside edge, and landing backwards on the outside edge of the opposite foot.
The Spins
The Sit Spin
In this spin, the skater is couched as low to the ground as they can go, with one of their legs out parallel to the ice. Here is an image of Yuzuru Hanyu at the 2015-16 Grand Prix Final performing this spin.
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The spin was invented by American Jackson Haines and is sometimes referred to as the ‘Haines spin’.
Camel Spin
The camel spin is where the skater extends their leg out behind them and leans their torso format – creating a “T” shape with their body.
This can also be transformed into the donut spin if the skater grabs their skate blade to create an “0” shape.
Biellmann Spin
Made popular by world champion Denise Biellmann, this is an upright spin. It is achieved by the skater holding the blade of their skate behind their head, flexing backwards.
Who to watch out for
Competing in the Pairs event, Lewis Gibson will be representing Scotland and the United Kingdom with his partner Lilah Fear. They are favourites to win in their category after coming third in the 2026 European Championships in Sheffield. Born in South Ayrshire, Gibson has been skating since 2006. Having competed in both singles and pairs skating, the scotsman and his partner Fear will be hoping to become the first medalists since Torvill and Dean in the ice dance competition.
Here’s a link to Fear and Gibson’s Sheffield programme.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/videos/cn40lpxx8pro
Speaking to olympic.com about their choice of Scottish music for their free dance, Gibson said “That music for both of us, of course for me I’m Scottish, but I think that shines out when we perform this program and I want people to feel that pride that they have in something and just owning that and letting it flourish.”
Jumping across the pond to the United States of America, singles competition Ilia Malinin will be one to watch. Having been dubbed the “Quad God”, the 21 year old is a two time world champion and the only skater to complete a fully rotated quadruple axel in international competition.
Apart from the move from which his nickname is inspired from, Malinin is also famous for performing a backflip on the ice – so definitely something to watch out for.
Sticking in the States, Alysa Liu is another skater to watch out for. She had retired after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, at the age of 16, wanting to live a normal life. Despite this, she is back, skating on her own terms.
Speaking to 60 Minutes, Liu said “I’m really excited because my goal honestly is just to hype people up, give them an experience, whether it’s negative or positive”.
Liu is noted to be the first woman from any country to complete a quadruple jump and a triple axel in the same program, Further, she became a US national champion at age 13 and was consistently able to hold her own in competitions against those much older than her. With racoon inspired hair, Liu will be an easy spot from far away.
“Give Them an Experience!”
Alysa Liu to 60 Minutes
Heading to Asia, Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama and Kaori Sakamoto will also be top contenders in the male and female singles event.
Kagiyama is a 2022 Winter Olympics medalist, as well as a nine time Grand Prix medalist. He cites figure skaters such as Yuzuru Hanyu and Nathan Chen as his inspirations.
Sakamoto is also a very accomplished skater, and this will be her third time at the Olympic games. However, at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, Sakamoto announced her intention to retire after the games.
Olympic Schedule
The figure skating is scheduled to compete between the 6th and 19th of February, and can be watched on BBC Iplayer.
Some main events to look out for;
- 10th February – Mens single short programme
- 16th February – Pairs free skate
- 17th February – Women’s single short programme
- 21st February – Exhibition gala
The full schedule can be found on the Olympic website!
