One Skater’s Triumph in Transition from US to Finland

by | Apr 2, 2024 | Conversations

A Skater's Triumph in Transition from US to Finland

In a recent conversation with my friend and fellow skater, Sarah Don, we delved into her fascinating journey from being an adult competitor in the States to her transition from the US to Finland. As we exchanged stories and insights, I found her experiences both enlightening and inspiring. Join me as I share the highlights of our conversation and delve into Sarah’s journey ‘skating across the pond’.

Would you describe your journey from figure skating in the US to figure skating in Finland? And what prompted the move?

Well, it’s a long story, but basically, my husband and I wanted to try something new, and Finland seemed like a good fit. I found a job here, and it turned out to be a really good decision. I really like it here. We made the move in the middle of COVID, so that made figuring out the skating community here just a bit more challenging. Everything was in a new language, and I was just starting to learn it when we moved, so it was a bit overwhelming. I did have one connection in the States who was able to give me a couple of names of skaters in Finland who I called to learn about classes once things opened back up.

What were some of the big differences that you observed between the figure skating community in the US and in Finland?

There isn’t a huge difference; we definitely have a very active adult skating community here in Finland, and we are really supportive and positive, just like in the US. But the way we that adults organize and practice is different. In the US, a lot of the training tends to be very personalized and individual. Everyone who is learning has a private coach, but in Finland, for kids and adults, the next step after Learn to Skate is to join a group class at your level. These group classes meet several times a week at different rinks, and they focus on specific skills. Each class will focus on one or two jumps, a spin, and some edge work. If you want additional practice or to run your program, you need to purchase the ice time from the rink then organize a group of other skaters to share with. Some of the private rinks can be expensive (160 euros), but the community rinks tend to be very reasonable, say 40 euros for an hour. Although there aren’t the traditional freestyle sessions I was used to in the states, the group classes tend to be around 20-30 euros and include the instructor’s time and the ice time, so it all sort of balances out.

What does the adult competitive landscape look like and have you noticed more of an emphasis placed on artistic expression versus technical skills between the two countries?

In Finland, I think we are culturally a bit more reserved, so the music and costumes are more traditional unlike some of the brighter dresses and modern music seen in the States. But it really depends on the individual skater’s personality; that definitely still comes through in people’s programs. I think the other difference is the overall approach. The adult competitors in Finland aren’t as intense about the IJS judging system as what I saw in the States. I don’t know anyone here keeping spreadsheets of their scores or trying to optimize the components they put into a program to maximize their score. Our feeling is that we love skating and put together the programs that feel good and showcase our style. It’s a great experience traveling around to competitions; we host many here in Finland, but there are a lot of opportunities around Europe. We tend to participate in several in Estonia which is easy to get to.

What other cultural differences have you seen within the sport?

One thing I’ve noticed is that the skating community here is really respectful of each other’s space. When we’re working on  jumps, for example, we have a system where we know which direction we should move around the rink, and people tend to give each other enough space. It feels very safe and organized.

How did you overcome the challenges of transitioning between the two figure skating scenes?

The biggest challenge for me was figuring out how to get time to practice by myself. I really thrive on my own practice time, so I had to build my network here so that I could find people to share ice time with. The other thing that took some getting used to was the changing schedule.  In the States it was a pretty regimented routine with freestyle sessions happening at the same time and same location each day.  Here, the schedule shifts and all my skating could get bunched into three days or be at odd times.  It took some time, but I eventually found a routine that works for me.

What advice would you give to another figure skater considering a similar transition?

Don’t panic if it doesn’t seem easy right at the beginning. It takes time to adapt to a new skating scene, but if you ask people for help and stay patient, you’ll find your place in the community. Building your network is key.

 

Top Picks: Skating Gear for Comfortable Practice & New Boot Break-in

by | Mar 27, 2024 | Skating Essentials

Skating Gear for Comfortable Practice & New Boot Break-in

Hello, fellow skaters! Recently, one of our readers reached out with a request for tips on managing new boot break-in and handling those troublesome blisters. It got me thinking: why not transform this into a comprehensive blog post focused on training gear and accessories?

Let’s dive right in:

Bunga pads: These are gel pads that wrap around your ankle, perfect for breaking in new boots. But hey, some of us keep wearing them long after that stage because, let’s face it, they’re comfy! Personally I love the extra ankle support. I recently switched to these so that I can cut them to the exact size I want because I don’t like having too much pad peeking out at the top of my boots. I wear these over my socks without issue, but I know other skaters put them on then put their socks over so the pads don’t move. Either method works; it just means cleaning the pads more often if they are directly on your skin.

Toe pads: This one’s a recent find for me. I was getting some rubbing on one toe (ouch!), so I gave these a shot. And you know what? They’ve been a game-changer. If you’re battling blisters, these could be your new BFFs, especially if, like me, your band-aids move around when you skate.

Insoles: Custom insoles are a must for me with every new pair of boots. They keep my feet happy and level in my skates. I add the Edea Anti-shock pad under the insole to help with the constant pounding from training. I’m told these come standard in the Edea Piano model. I originally purchased these when I was in Jackson boots and they fit and worked fine. Fun fact, they did need to be cut slightly to fit in my Edea boots. I recommended these to a fellow skater who was having issues with shin splints and she felt the difference and liked them too.

Socks: Not just any socks, mind you. I’ve found these slightly thicker ones that are total winners. They soak up sweat and keep my boots feeling dryer. I only wish they were slightly taller.

Leg warmers: Ah, the trusty leg warmers. Perfect for keeping your tootsies warm in those chilly rinks. Plus, my latest pair goes over my knees, which is an unexpected bonus. Extra warmth and a bit of padding for those knee slides? Yes, please!

Leggings: I’m all about the winter vs. summer leggings game. The lined ones are a lifesaver in cold rinks. I’m a big fan of the Under Armour line.

Butt pads: Most of my training sessions are what I would call ‘everything sessions’ meaning I’m working on skating skills, jumps, spins, program run-throughs, working on a new jump and some new combinations. Because of this and the fact that I hate to take time out of a session to put on the pads I simply wear them most of the time. Mine are thin and don’t get in the way or feel too warm. When I very first started wearing them I thought it would bother me to take them off for testing, competitions, etc. but after a few times, it didn’t affect me at all.

Padded gloves: After breaking my wrist, I started wearing pads in my gloves. But those gel pads were just too bulky. These ones are sleek and offer some extra protection without being too obvious.

So, there you have it—my go-to accessories for making practice a little comfier and a lot more enjoyable. Do you have any favorites of your own? Let me know in the comments below!

 

Pioneering the Way: How Figure Skating’s History Sets Future Trajectories

by | Mar 20, 2024 | Conversations

Building a legacy for Figure Skating

Have you ever pondered the captivating history behind figure skating? How did it evolve into the beloved sport we cherish today, and what impact has it left on our cultural heritage? To explore these questions, I had the privilege of conversing with figure skating historian Jane Piercy, who holds the esteemed position of official historian at The Skating Club of Boston, an institution deeply entwined with the rich tapestry of US figure skating history.

Jane’s journey into the realm of figure skating history began under the mentorship of her then-coach, Tommy McGinnis. Beyond imparting skating techniques, Tommy instilled within her a profound reverence for the artistry, music, and choreography inherent in figure skating. As her involvement in the skating community deepened, Jane had the honor of collaborating closely with Ben Wright, a distinguished figure skating historian and both served on the board of directors for the Skating Club. Ben garnered widespread recognition within the skating community for his meticulous documentation and extensive knowledge, providing invaluable insights into the sport’s evolutionary trajectory.

Among the notable milestones in figure skating history were the achievements of Dick Button (1948 & 1952) and Tenley Albright (1952 & 1956), esteemed members of The Skating Club of Boston and the first two Americans to medal at the Winter Olympics.

A pivotal moment in figure skating history unfolded with the tragic plane crash in 1961, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. However, out of this sorrow emerged initiatives such as the Memorial Fund, serving as a testament to the skating community’s resilience and solidarity. Marian Proctor who made important contributions to the Memorial Fund also spearheaded the development of the Learn to Skate program, which remains robust today. This program serves as the first introduction to the sport for many individuals, opening it up to new audiences and significantly contributing to the diversity and inclusion observed in figure skating today.

Figure Skating History

Another significant transformation occurred with the discontinuation of school figures in the early 1990s, leading to a shift towards the technical aspects of skating and paving the way for the proliferation of multi-rotational jumps seen today. Concurrently, novel disciplines like synchronized skating, solo dance, and Theater on Ice gained traction, offering diverse opportunities for skaters of all ages and backgrounds.

Delving deeper into figure skating history, Jane illuminated lesser-known narratives highlighting the courage and trailblazing spirit of figures like Maribel Vinson Owen, an extraordinary athlete and activist who left an indelible imprint on the sport. Notably, Owen defied conventions by refusing to salute Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

Looking ahead, the future of figure skating appears promising, with concerted efforts to foster diversity, inclusion, and innovation. Jane cited the burgeoning popularity of adult skating and competitions, along with groundbreaking projects like Gabriella Papadakis and Madison Hubbell’s exploration of same-gender skating, which challenge traditional notions of pairs and ice dance.

By preserving and commemorating this rich tapestry of history, we pay homage to the trailblazers who have shaped the sport’s trajectory and pave the way for its continued growth and success in the years to come.  Share in the comments: Who is your favorite figure skating trailblazer or moment in history?

How to Make the Ice Nice

by | Mar 6, 2024 | Conversations

Mastering Ice Resurfacing Techniques

The Zamboni holds a lot of fascination for those watching skating events or hockey games. There’s something about seeing the giant elephant-like machine skim around the rink, leaving behind a perfectly smooth surface that seems almost like magic. But do you really know what makes the ice nice?

Where did this magical machine come from?

Frank and Lawrence Zamboni opened Iceland Skating Rink in the 1940s in Southern California. It was the largest rink at the time, and after hundreds of people skated, they inevitably chipped, cut, and roughed up the ice, taking several people an hour or more to clean up. So the Zamboni brothers looked for a better way and in 1949 unveiled the Model A Ice Resurfacer!

Over the years, they made improvements to the machine, but it was in 1954 when the next significant release came. The Boston Garden was hosting the Ice Capades show followed closely by a Boston Bruins hockey game, so resurfacing the ice between events would be a big task. The new E21 Zamboni model was used to make the ice, and the Bruins team management was impressed enough to order a machine, making it the first machine used in NHL history! The next milestone came in 1960 in Squaw Valley, CA, where the Zamboni machine was first used in the Winter Olympics.

In 1989, the first electric ice resurfacer was introduced, and in 1993, Zamboni’s competitor, Olympia, delivered this new machine to the rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

The Art and Science of Being an Ice Technician

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Phil Angelosanto, a longtime ice technician responsible for maintaining the ice at Warrior Ice Arena, the Boston Bruins training facility. I asked Phil to explain the intricacies of ice maintenance during the 10-minute breaks between sessions. He emphasized the importance of performing multiple tasks, including making, cleaning, and cutting the ice, especially in a facility with diverse user groups. Phil shared that each discipline, whether hockey players, figure skaters, or the general public, leaves its mark on the ice, making resurfacing a challenging task within a short timeframe. Despite challenges, Phil ensures thorough daily maintenance, which involves using an edger machine to cut corners, testing ice depth, and leveling uneven spots. He noted that each ice technician brings their unique touch to the process, highlighting the significance of experience in maintaining quality ice conditions.

A couple of fun facts about resurfacing the ice:

  • When training a new driver, they first drive the machine dry, meaning no water is added to the ice surface
  • Over 120 gallons of water are used with each ice resurfacing

Bringing Down the Ice

Many rinks do what is called ‘bringing down the ice’ once a year. This could happen because the rink is seasonal and the ice is melted for the off-season, or in the case of a pro facility, the ice is melted down so the paint underneath can be refreshed or have new sponsor logo added. The paint is applied directly to the slab, and then built up with many layers of water to reach the desired thickness. At Warrior, the ice is built up to .75 inches manually and then the ice resurfacer is brought out to flood the rest.

Cement, Sand, and Other Considerations

I asked what was under the ice as a base layer, and Phil said many rinks were cement, then sand was used (in case of plumbing problems), and now cement is making a comeback. An interesting fact about the Warrior rink is it’s actually on the second floor, not ground level like most rinks, which meant they had to build an indoor snow pit, where the shavings are dumped into after each cut. The pit has heating coils in it to melt the snow. When the water reaches a certain level, it drains it out to avoid the pit from overflowing. Most rinks simply drive the snow outside and dump it.

Warrior Ice Arena resurface tools

How Cold is Cold?

I also inquired about the ice temperature because hockey players typically like harder ice, and figure skaters like the ice slightly softer to cut an edge. Phil said this is definitely not like setting your Nest Thermostat. Factors such as how the pipes are laid, the size of the facility, the building’s insulation, humidity control, and the placement of windows will all factor into creating the ideal ice surface.

The Question Every Skater Wants the Answer To

I ended our discussion by asking the question every skater wants to know: “What’s with having to close the rink doors during the ice resurface?” The answer was much more simplistic than I thought. Unlike the dashboard on a car that points gradually down, the size of the dash on an ice resurfacer is long and flat so you can’t see close to you only further away.  If there is anything on the boards, someone standing in a doorway, or the edge of a door just protruding out, there’s an excellent chance of hitting it or running something over and getting it caught in the machine.

Resurfacing etiquette: remove everything from the boards and close the doors behind you so we can all help to make the ice nice!

How to Keep Your Sharpies in Top Condition

by | Mar 3, 2024 | Skating Essentials

A guide to skate care

Have you ever wondered how you should be caring for your Sharpies (skates)? Are you looking to get maximum wear out of your boots and performance out of your blades? Well, you’re in the right place. I had the opportunity to sit down and discuss best practices with the owner of Home Ice, skate technician, fellow skater and coach, Aislinn Munck-Owen. Here are her best tips and tricks to keep your two best skating buddies in great shape.

Daily Care (or each time you skate)

Despite the fact that skaters spend hours practicing on frozen water, your skates aren’t big fans of being wet. They are happy to work as hard as you do during your sessions but ask to be fully aired out and dried afterward.

Be sure to completely loosen your boot laces before you remove them. Carefully dry the outside of the boot, the bottom, and the blade to prevent water from seeping in and ruining a boot or lessening the integrity of the blade. Place the soft guards or soakers on for storage. Many of the newer lightweight skates also come with a small tab to place around the top 1-2 hooks to help keep the shape of the boot during storage. It’s also not a bad idea to spray a bit of witch hazel/essential oil into each skate to keep them smelling fresh. I personally make my own mixture but you can purchase a pre-made one as well. Beware of sprays with lots of chemicals or additives as they can be harsh on the material inside your boot but most importantly on your skin as skating socks are typically very thin.

Weekly Care

It’s a good idea to take a couple of extra steps at the end of the week, especially for those who skate 3+ days. Those steps include completely removing the boots from their bag or suitcase to fully and completely dry out. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda in each to keep them fresh. Check the screws around the blades to make sure nothing has loosened. Before you pack them back up into your rink bag be sure to tap out or vacuum up the baking soda.

Monthly or Semi-monthly Care

This next segment of care and maintenance will vary depending on the number of hours you skate and factors such as skating level and personal wear and tear on equipment. But it’s a smart choice to take a more thorough look at your skates during this timeframe. One of the first things you’ll want to do is think about having your blades sharpened. Over time (the hours spent on the ice), your blades will become dull and you’ll find it more challenging to hold an edge. While each skater has a personal preference, some general guidelines include: For the stainless blades such as Paramount or Matrix, these blades tend to hold a sharpening a bit longer but as a rule of thumb, you’ll want to sharpen somewhere between 35 – 50 hours of use. For the traditional blades, they typically need sharpening between 20 – 35 hours. Again, these are guidelines and will vary depending on the skater, general preference, blade type, and condition of the ice skated on, etc. You do you.

1/2”, 5/8”, 3/8” – we are talking about the hollow on the bottom of the blades. So which number is best? Here’s your answer, there isn’t a best number nor should the hollow necessarily change over your skating career. There are skaters who have gone all the way to the Olympic podium without ever changing their hollow depth – true story. This is something best handled by conversations with your coach if you are feeling your skates need to be different and with your skate tech. If a change is necessary it’s best to go slowly with this to preserve the blade but most importantly to make sure the skater is comfortable with the change. Did you know changing the hollow can affect your knee bend or make you feel a bit ‘stuck’ to the ice?

Finally, human or machine? Artificial Intelligence and machines are doing some amazing things but they’re not quite ready to tackle the art of blade sharpening yet. Strong advice – please keep figure skates out of the sharpening machines. They simply can’t get things as accurate as your skate technician can.

While skate shops can get busy, many are more than happy to book you in for regular standing appointments. For example, if you know based on your skating you are a ‘once a month-er’ for sharpening, why not ask if you can pre-book your appointments a few months in advance so it’s already on the calendar?

So, your skate tech will take care of the sharpening but the other item to look at during this timeframe are your boot laces. Think about how much pressure your laces are under, every knee bend, push forward, jump landing, etc., they are helping to hold your foot securely in your boot. Over time laces stretch out and become less efficient not to mention possible frays from wear or having a blade graze it on a jump landing. It’s really good practice to change out your laces at least every 2-3 months.

Before a Competition or Important Skating Event

It’s always a good idea to make sure your laces aren’t too old or worn, you’ve checked the screws on your blades to make sure nothing is loose, you generally look over the skates for nicks on the blades and ask yourself if they are in need of sharpening. It’s best to plan ahead for this one as you’ll want a minimum of 2-5 hours of skating after a sharpening and before your event to make sure everything is in order and your skates feel comfortable like they do during practice. (For more travel related information see the post on traveling with skates)

Accessories, Fix-Its, and Final Thoughts

Finally, how you tie your skates for each session will have an impact on your boots and your skating. Too loose isn’t good but too tight isn’t either – be like Goldilocks and go just right (snug on the foot, tighter at the ankle, and some breathing room at the top hooks so you can maintain a nice ankle bend on the ice). While we typically associate Bunga pads with helping break in new skates many skaters continue to use them because they like the feel of more ankle support while still ‘leaving room at the top’.

Use your hard guards to walk around in. Most rinks have rubber flooring but you still never know if you’re picking up dirt or someone’s spilled snack. (I’m looking at you raisins and gummy bears)

Once your skates are packed up and in their bag you’re all set, right? Well mostly but please consider where your skate bag is being stored. Too cold and you’ll have a hard time properly lacing them up, too warm and you can actually alter the shape. Remember many of us have our boot heat molded for a more custom fit but we wait until they are fully cooled down (2+ hours) before we actually use them. If you accidentally forget your skates in a hot car, please don’t skate in them for several hours.

While this may sound like a lot of care, remember The Sharpies really are your besties once you hit the ice!