From: ebedgert@gamera.syr.edu (Ellen B. Edgerton)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.skating.ice.figure
Subject: Ya can't tell 'em apart without a program!
Date: 10 Feb 1996 05:35:02 GMT

You know, while watching this year's Nationals and also Skate America 
last year, it occurred to me that perhaps it might be good to make 
definitive classifications of all possible types of skating routines 
generally seen in amateur competition -- after all, there seem to be only 
a basic few varieties in each discipline!  Perhaps these classifications
might one day become standard...in hope of that, I have supplied 
three-letter codes for each type of routine which perhaps in the future 
can be used on competition programs and in results listings...just so 
those who didn't see the performances could know what they were missing
in no uncertain terms!

I think I've pretty much covered them all, but feel free to add any I 
might have left out...

THE BASIC MEN'S PROGRAM CONCEPTS

"Masculine, Yet Sensitive" (MYS): the ever-popular North American 
choice.  Usually seen in the free skate.  Music: Usually any type but 
classical.  Costume: Must have a different colored top and bottom, or at 
the very least, a sash or belt.  Choreography:  sweeping lines, power 
jumping, soulful gazes.  No character playing; see other entries below.  See 
Michael Weiss (variation: "Sensitive, Yet Masculine"), Elvis Stojko (variation: 
"Macho, Yet Sensitive").

"Classical Froofroo":  the ever-popular European choice.  Can be seen 
anywhere in a variety of concepts including "Classical Froofroo Lite" 
(CFL), usually done for the technical program, featuring natty costumerie 
and snappy, pert classical music selections (see Rudy Galindo; also, 
Brian Boitano's "Le Patineuf" at Calgary; "Classical 
Froofroo Dark" - a >must< for the free skate in international competition.
Dark, serious, heavily dramatic.  See Petr Barna, Viktor Petrenko, Rudy 
Galindo's long program, all Soviet skaters.  There is also "General 
Classical Froofroo" featuring general froofrosity; see Alexei Urmanov.

"Movie Soundtrack Character" (MSC):  Alternative to "Masculine, Yet 
Sensitive" (see above).  Skated to soundtrack music, where the skater 
reenacts the events of the film or "portrays" the lead character.  (Or at 
least just makes a lame stab at it) See Paul Wylie.

"Malaguena" (MAL): Anything having to do with Spanish music, tangos or 
open shirts.  Suitable for short or long program.  See Scott Davis; you 
know, he has been doing Malaguenas for several years now (Zorba the 
Greek, his tango long) and nobody really has noticed.  Scary.

"Make 'Em Laugh" (MEL):  Funny, light-hearted routines, always seen in 
the technical program.  See Dan Hollander.

"Hot Sh*t" (HSH): aka "Masculine, and Insensitive"  Nuff said.  Not often 
seen outside exhibitions.  See Christopher Bowman.

"Dipped In Black" (DIB): artsy seriousness performed by grim-faced skater
wearing black or purple with sequins.  Prestigious coach and 
choreographer key.  Inconsistency a plus!  See Shep Clark, Paul Wylie 
(pre-Albertville), Mark Mitchell.

"Slow, Steady and Sweeping" (SSS): "Dipped in Black" without the black 
and without the layback spins.  See Todd Eldredge.


THE LADIES' PROGRAM - BASIC CONCEPTS

"The Showgirl" (SHO): Marked by perky, revealing costumes with sequins
and feathers and zippy dance hall numbers or show tunes.  Lots of winking
and effervescence.  See Nicole Bobek, Tanja Szewczenko (whose ultrarevealing
Oktoberfest frock at Europeans a few years ago featured a risque but probably
unintentional wedgie that possibly will never be equalled in this program category)

"The Siren" (SIR): Marked by sexy, revealing costumes with sequins, and 
sinuous, romantic classical music.  See Katarina Witt, Michelle Kwan.

"Ice Princess" (ICP): Serious, flowing, classic china-doll skating, 
always to classical or pseudo-classical music.  Preferred costume 
colors:  black, white, burgundy (much like Lincoln Town Cars).  See 
Chen Lu, Karen Kwan.

"Power Chick" (PCH): Crisp, clean power skating with huge jumps, fast 
spins, and no discernible theme.  Any music fits!  Any costume fits!  
They don't care!  See Tonya Harding, Debi Thomas, Tonia Kwiatkowski.

"Surya" (SUR):  Surya Bonaly.

"Power Princess" (PPR): Somewhere in between Ice Princess (with tackier 
music) and Power Chick (with better costumes).  See Jill Trenary, Nancy 
Kerrigan.

"Malaguena" (MAL):  See men's section, above.





Well okay, that's my expert list of the basic program concepts for men
and ladies.  Any additions?  Any opinions for pairs or dance?

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