How figure skating works

One of the Olympic Games’ most popular winter sports, figure skating’s appeal lies in its combination of gymnastic grace, athletic accuracy, and creative expression – with a healthy dash of personal drama mixed in.

A new entry in the How Sports Work series, How Figure Skating Works investigates the slippery science behind the sport. With the same grace and joy as skating itself, the book leaps into all aspects of the sport, from its history and dazzling moves to its most famous competitors.

Readers learn how certain ice surfaces can improve a skater’s performance; how skates allow skaters to glide, twist, stop, and turn with breathtaking ease; skating’s most inventive (and strangest) moves; the stories behind the spectacular costumes; how skaters stave off dizzy spells during their stunning spins; and much, much more.