Guide to the Senior Rhythm Dance Elements at Torino 2019
The ISU Grand Prix Final returns to Italy in December 2019, and for the first time at this flagship event the senior ice dance discipline will be contested under the new Rhythm Dance format that replaces the long-standing Short Dance. Fans watching from Australia will recognise the significance of the moment, as this is the first global senior championship-style occasion where the redesigned rhythm-dance rules will be trialled at the highest competitive level, with the world's top six couples set to perform at the Palavela in Turin.
The Rhythm Dance is a mid-length program lasting two minutes and fifty seconds, with a permitted variance of ten seconds either way. It is the second of two programs in the ice dance competition and carries roughly one-third of the total combined score alongside the Free Dance. The format was introduced for the 2019–2020 season to emphasise a team's ability to interpret a prescribed musical rhythm while executing highly specific technical patterns. For Australian followers, the shift means fresh reference points when comparing scores at the Torino 2019 Final with results from the previous season.
December timing also means that the competition falls during the southern hemisphere summer. Events scheduled for the afternoon in Turin translate to late-night or early-morning viewing in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart. Sydney-based supporters, for instance, will see a session that starts at 14:00 local time on the Italian schedule begin around midnight AEDT, while Brisbane viewers follow one hour earlier at 23:00 AEST. Many Australian fans therefore plan around replays or highlights packages, often streamed later through local broadcasting partners.
The Palavela arena, famous for hosting the 2006 Winter Olympics figure skating events, will welcome the six qualified senior ice dance teams who have earned their spots through the Grand Prix series. Understanding the required elements is essential for appreciating the technical achievement on display, and this guide breaks down each component that the senior couples must execute in their Rhythm Dance programs at the Torino 2019 Final.
Rhythm dance duration, music and rhythm choice
The Rhythm Dance program must be skated in a time range of two minutes fifty seconds, with the usual ten-second tolerance applied. The music must be drawn from the chosen rhythm category announced by the ISU in its annual communication, and the selection may be vocal or instrumental but must respect the stylistic signature of the rhythm. Couples cannot blend several unrelated styles; the musical selection must clearly belong to one of the approved pattern-dance families.
For the 2019–2020 season, the approved senior rhythm categories are the Yankee Polka, the Blues, the March and the Polka. A team may elect to skate the Yankee Polka combined with a Blues interlude, which gives some flexibility in shaping the program while remaining within the prescribed character. The choice of rhythm influences the Pattern Dance Element sequence and the Set Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence that must follow.
Australian teams and spectators familiar with international judging will note that the rhythm selection is announced to the technical panel before the program, allowing the panel to verify that the chosen key points are skated in time with the beat. The tempo of the selected rhythm determines the number of beats per minute used to measure the pattern dances, so careful music editing is essential to stay within the allowed tempo range.
Pattern dance element requirements
The Pattern Dance Element is the cornerstone of the Rhythm Dance. Couples must perform two sequences of the chosen pattern dance during the program, and each sequence must clearly demonstrate the required key points. A key point is a specific turn, edge or hold that the technical panel will watch for and identify; failing to execute a key point correctly results in a loss of level on the element, which directly reduces the element score.
The Pattern Dance is judged on the quality of edges, the precision of holds, the unison between partners and the timing against the music. For the Yankee Polka, the key points include specific closed holds and turn sequences that mirror the marching character of the rhythm. For the Blues, the slower tempo allows for deeper edges and more sustained lines. The March emphasises crisp, military-style posture, while the Polka requires bouncy knee action and quick rotations.
In Australia, training environments such as the Sydney Ice Skating Club at Macquarie Ice Rink or the Icehouse at Docklands in Melbourne work with dancers to develop the specific edge quality demanded by these patterns. Coaches involved in Australian Figure Skating Championships preparation emphasise the importance of hitting key points cleanly, since technical panel identification is unforgiving at international competitions.
| Pattern dance | Tempo (beats per minute) | Character | Key technical focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yankee Polka | 104 | Lively, folk-inspired | Polka steps with closed and open holds |
| Blues | 86 | Slow, soulful | Deep edges and sustained knee bend |
| March | 100 | Crisp, structured | Side-by-side steps in march rhythm |
| Polka | 108 | Bouncy, energetic | Quick rotation and spring |
Set pattern dance type step sequence
The Set Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence, often shortened to STS, is a required step sequence executed in a specific style. In the Rhythm Dance, one STS of Style B is required, and it must be performed after the Pattern Dance Element, using the rhythm of the chosen pattern dance. The sequence can be skated in a straight line, in a circular pattern or in a serpentine layout, but the chosen pattern must be maintained throughout the sequence without interruption.
The STS is judged on the difficulty of the steps and turns within the sequence, the quality of execution and the timing with the music. Turns such as brackets, counters and twizzles are commonly incorporated, and the level awarded depends on the variety and complexity of these features. Couples must distribute the sequence across the ice surface in a way that demonstrates command of the rink, and the pattern must remain visible to the technical panel.
For competitors at Torino 2019, the STS provides a moment to showcase skating skills outside the strict structure of the Pattern Dance. It is also where many teams introduce choreographic transitions, linking the required elements into a flowing program. Australian couples training at rinks such as the Boondall Ice World in Brisbane or the Adelaide Ice Arena often use the STS to demonstrate their command of dance-specific turns, a skill set that differs from singles skating.
Choreographic sliding movement and character step
The Choreographic Sliding Movement is a new type of element introduced specifically for the Rhythm Dance. It requires the couple to perform a sliding motion that covers a substantial distance across the ice using the chosen dance holds or positions. The movement must be held for a minimum duration and must involve both partners in synchronised motion, with the technical panel calling the element based on whether the minimum sliding distance is achieved.
The Choreographic Character Step is similarly a choreographic element rather than a technical one. It is a sequence of steps that captures the character of the chosen rhythm, performed in any hold and in any part of the ice. The element is identified when the couple performs a series of steps that clearly evokes the rhythm style, and it is awarded a fixed value when completed.
Recognised choreographic sliding movement patterns
- A diagonal cross-ice slide in closed hold lasting at least three seconds
- A circular slide in tandem position covering the full width of the rink
- A serpentine slide transitioning from closed to open hold
- A side-by-side slide mirroring each partner's edges
These choreographic elements allow couples to express the musical interpretation of the rhythm while satisfying the technical panel's call requirements. They also provide coaches with a flexible choreographic tool, and many teams use them to highlight the personality of their partnership while remaining inside the Rhythm Dance framework.
Dance lift specifications and technical panel evaluation
A Dance Lift is permitted in the Rhythm Dance but with restrictions designed to keep the program's character grounded in rhythm and pattern. Only one Dance Lift is allowed, and it must not exceed six seconds in duration. The lift cannot be of a type that resembles a pairs element; it must remain within the established ice dance vocabulary of dance positions and holds. Rotational lifts, carries and stationary lifts are all permitted provided they fit within the duration cap and use recognised dance lifts.
Dance lift compliance requirements
- Maximum duration of six seconds
- Use of approved dance positions and holds only
- No pairs-style overhead lifts
- One lift per program
The technical panel evaluates each element independently, calling the level of the Pattern Dance Element, the level of the STS and confirming the completion of the choreographic elements and the lift. The panel is composed of a technical controller, a technical specialist and an assistant, and their calls feed into the element score calculated by the judges. Any illegal element or violation of the duration cap results in a deduction.
Australian athletes competing internationally, including those aiming for the 2022 Winter Olympics qualification pathway, are subject to the anti-doping rules administered by Sport Integrity Australia, which align with the World Anti-Doping Code. This framework applies to all ISU events including the Grand Prix Final, ensuring that the integrity of the competition is maintained alongside the technical evaluation of every required element.
Watch the senior Rhythm Dance sessions live via the ISU YouTube channel or through Australian figure skating broadcast partners, and follow the Torino 2019 website for full results, schedules and practice-session updates throughout the weekend of December 5–8.