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Navigating the world of figure skating

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By: RyAnn Spencer

What is a figure skater?

A figure skater is a highly skilled and artistic athlete who engages in the elegant and captivating sport of figure skating. This discipline combines elements of athleticism, grace, and precision, as skaters perform a variety of intricate and choreographed routines on ice. Figure skaters are not only adept at executing jumps, spins, and footwork with technical precision but also at expressing emotion and storytelling through their movements. Many stereotypes arise due to people not completely understanding figure skating, and the way it is portrayed in the media, television, literature, etc. These misconceptions can lead to many challenges of feeling misunderstood.

Art of communication

Figure skaters use both spoken and nonverbal cues to interact with instructors, spectators, and other skaters. In this community, figure skaters communicate verbally to exchange information, offer guidance, and solicit comments on the ice during practice. They also communicate via in-person meetings, phone calls, text messages, and social media. A common aray of vocab is used such as, “inside/outside rocker,” “power pull,” “pop,” and “kiss and cry”. Figure skaters also express their feelings, attitudes, and goals nonverbally as well. Their body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions are just a few of the nonverbal clues they employ.

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The use of these methods facilitates communication and understanding among figure skaters, allowing them to effectively convey complex concepts and information.

Social Media Prescence

Figure skaters utilize social media to market their brands, interact with fans, post updates, and highlight a more human side of the sport. Figure skaters use social media sites like Instagram and Twitter to interact with others. They share a range of information, such as updates from themselves, inspirational sayings, and competition highlights.

Mirai Nagasu’s social media presence was known for her detailed “day in the life” videos throughout leading up to the Olympics. She showed the ups and downs of being the first American female to master a triple axel. This gave a more real look into her life allowing fans to connect with her.

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Importance of multiliteracy

• Primary means of communication between a skater and a judge is through judge score cards. This makes it possible to assess skaters' performances in an organized and methodical manner. This is essential to witnessing the dissection of a skater's components and transparency in the judgment process.

• Figure Skaters need to be multilingual to be successful in their careers. The genres used by figure skaters are unique and tailored to their specific needs. These genres include judging score cards, competition film analysis, and video analysis from practice.
• members in the communitymust demonstrate a high level of figure skating knowledge, skills, and cognitive abilities.

A few figure skaters have written autobiographies in which they share their life narratives, professional experiences, and life lessons. These autobiographies offer an insight into the struggles, victories, and distinct viewpoint that figure skaters acquire from their time spent on the rink. For example, Michelle Kwan’s autobiography “Heart of a Champion” chronicles the stories of her mom having to sell their house for her to pursue her passion of the sport to becoming one of the greatest figure skaters of all time.

For the public:

Many figure skaters are actively involved in philanthropic endeavors and community engagement initiatives. They use their platform to raise awareness for important causes, support local organizations, and make a positive impact on their communities. Sasha Cohen has used her worldwide influence in skating and other realms, including fashion and nutrition, to make a difference in the lives of millions. She has worked with numerous organizations, such as Make a Wish, Special Olympics, American Heart Assocation, and much more. From donating autographed items for charity auctions to adopting an American solider overseas, Sasha has used her accomplishments and fame to benefit others.

Conclusion:

Challenging the stereotypes associated with figure skating that often overlook the dedication, athleticism, and mental resilience required by its participants, it becomes evident that figure skating is not merely a performance art confined to conventional expectations. Instead, it is a dynamic and evolving discourse community that thrives on the fusion of technical excellence, artistic expression, and the indomitable spirit of its members. Figure skaters as a discourse community encompass more than just a collection of people with similar skating interests; it is a mosaic of voices that are always changing and adjusting to the skating world's ever-shifting conditions.