Skaters reaping benefi ts in evolution of boots, blades


BY KAMA KORVELA STIGALL


Creating a fi gure skate is a lot like building a house. You have to start with a solid foundation, add strong structural elements and pay atten- tion to the smallest of details. T e materials you use to build the skate may vary slightly, but the skate has to be functional yet sleek. But what goes into building a pair of skates? T e short answer — more than you think. T e sophistication of today’s


fi gure skates is a sharp contrast to primitive versions, which were made from animal bones and leather straps that were tied to the skater’s shoes. T e Dutch introduced more-evolved models, which included wooden platforms and narrow, double-edged metal blades. In 1865, Jackson Haines, who


is considered the father of contem- porary fi gure skating, introduced a two-plate all-metal blade that was directly attached to the skating boot. It provided stability and made it easi- er for skaters to perform jumps, spins and dance moves. In the early part of the 20th century, a blade maker named John E. Strauss invented the fi rst closed-toe blade from one piece of steel. T is invention made skates stronger and lighter. Modern-day fi gure skates are made up of three parts — the blade, the sole and the upper (also known as the exterior). Mark Ladwig, 2010 Olympian and technical representa- tive for Jackson Ultima, explained the process of building a skate.


30 APRIL 2017


Jackson Ultima representatives Mark Ladwig, Raj Misir and Kevin Wu prepare to answer the public’s boot and blade questions at the U.S. Champion- ships in Kansas City.


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