Art or sport? Figure skating strives to be both (AP)

February 8th, 2010

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2010, file photo, Japan's Mao Asada performs during the Gala exhibition at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Jeonju, South Korea. Indeed, the big tricks — quadruple jumps for the guys, triple-triple combinations for the women — can produce medal-winning scores. But do them without intricate footwork, fine edge quality and beautiful spins, and a performance seems hollow, little more than a blueprint. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)AP - Rachael Flatt's free skate would have the best athletes in any sport gasping for air, their leg muscles spasming in pain. Seven times she launches herself into the air, doing three quick turns before landing on a blade no thicker than a pencil.




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