Why Practice Ice Differs from Competition Ice

At Palavela in Turin from 5–8 December 2019, the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final brings together Senior and Junior competitors in men’s, ladies’, pairs and ice dance. The official event programme covers practice sessions, competition blocks, warm-ups, results and the exhibition gala. Behind that schedule sits an equally important factor: the condition of the ice beneath the skaters’ blades.

Practice sessions and competition are rarely performed on identical surfaces. Even when they take place in the same arena, differences in temperature, humidity, resurfacing, ice depth and previous use can alter speed, grip and edge control. Understanding these variations helps athletes, coaches and ice technicians prepare more effectively for the standards expected at Torino 2019.

What Changes Between Sessions

Ice quality describes a combination of hardness, flatness, cleanliness, moisture and consistency. A well-prepared rink feels smooth under the blades, offers enough resistance for take-offs and edges, and maintains predictable movement across the whole surface. Poorly prepared ice may contain loose snow, frost, uneven patches or layers that are alternately too hard and too soft.

Practice sessions often have less control over these conditions. A club session may follow recreational skating, hockey training or a learn-to-skate programme. Beginners stop suddenly, beginners of any age fall frequently and hockey players carve deep tracks. Each action creates loose shavings and changes the top layer of the ice. Competition conditions are generally more standardised, with venue technicians working to a defined temperature, resurfacing routine and event timetable.

The difference can influence the execution of jumps, spins, footwork and step sequences. Ice that is too hard may cause shallow edge bites and reduce confidence, while ice that is too soft can let blades sink, increase drag and make toe picks release unpredictably. Judges do not score the ice itself, but changes in grip, speed and edge control can affect the quality of the elements being judged.

Resurfacing and the Build-Up of Snow

Resurfacing is the essential maintenance process that keeps figure-skating ice usable. A machine travels over the rink with a blade assembly that scrapes away loose snow and uneven layers. It leaves behind a thin film of water, which refreezes to form a smoother upper surface. Repeated passes can improve flatness and correct small ridges left by earlier traffic.

As skaters use the rink, blades cut the surface into tiny fragments commonly called snow. The more people skate, the faster this material accumulates, particularly around the boards, corners and areas where athletes stop. An official practice block may begin with a carefully prepared surface and finish with noticeably more snow. Competition organisers account for this through planned ice maintenance and allocated warm-up periods, but conditions can still differ between the first and final competitors.

Water treatment and ice depth are equally important. Venues generally use controlled water to produce a consistent crystalline structure, while the rink must contain enough ice to support the blade edges without becoming dangerously thin. At a multi-discipline event such as Torino 2019, changeovers, resurface intervals and the later exhibition gala all influence how quickly the surface evolves.

Temperature, Humidity and Frost

Ice is not made perfect by setting the thermostat as low as possible. Many formal figure-skating events operate the surface around -7°C, although the appropriate setting depends on the venue, discipline and prevailing conditions. Colder ice is generally harder and more rigid; slightly warmer ice tends to be more resilient and easier for edges to penetrate.

Humidity introduces another layer of complexity. Moist air can condense on the surface and create a thin white layer of frost. This film may scratch blades rather than provide a clean bite. Spectators, camera lighting and arena equipment also add heat, while a full crowd raises the refrigeration load. Technicians monitor these effects because a surface that performed well in an empty hall may behave differently once the venue is operating at event capacity.

Australian arenas face a distinct version of this challenge. December is summer in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, so indoor refrigeration works against ambient heat rather than the naturally cold conditions experienced in Turin. Coastal Sydney facilities may also manage substantial moisture in the outdoor air. The temperature difference between an outdoor Melbourne summer day and a central-European December can be especially noticeable for athletes travelling to Torino 2019.

What Australian Clubs and Coaches Can Do

Busy Australian ice markets provide useful lessons. Melbourne has a strong winter hockey culture, while clubs in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and other cities share arenas with hockey, curling, broomball, recreational skating and seasonal ice shows. Those programmes bring different levels of traffic and demand on the same surface. Public sessions also place experienced skaters alongside families learning to glide, creating frequent stops and falls that accelerate the build-up of snow.

Facilities must balance that activity with regulation and operational responsibilities. Australia’s harmonised work health and safety framework is administered through state and territory laws, covering risk assessments, contractor management, emergency planning and safe work procedures. Arenas operating ammonia refrigeration also require appropriate plant controls, signage and emergency arrangements. Clear communication between coaches, ice technicians and event officials is therefore part of both performance planning and safe venue operation.

• Record rink temperature, room humidity, ice depth and resurfacing times so coaches can explain significant changes to athletes.
• Reserve the cleanest ice windows for demanding jump practice, official warm-ups and competition, especially after heavily used public sessions.
• Check blade edges, rocker profiles and sharpness against the actual surface, then look for soft spots or chatter during controlled warm-up skating.
• Include drills on resilient ice, loose snow and slightly softened areas so athletes learn how to adjust edge pressure, body position and approach speed.
• Establish a direct reporting process for ice concerns, with technicians, coaches and competition officials able to request checks before the next block begins.
• Review work health and safety procedures, including contractor induction, public liability coverage and emergency access, whenever an external team uses the rink.

Preparing for the Palavela Competition

Athletes attending Torino 2019 should treat each scheduled practice as a form of reconnaissance. The official timetable identifies the available ice blocks and competition sessions, but it may not describe every change in surface condition. Skaters who enter a later block may encounter softer ice or more accumulated snow, while those on the first ice may benefit from a cleaner, newly prepared surface.

A sensible warm-up should therefore include more than a few laps. Skaters can observe how the ice responds during straight-line speed, crossovers, turns and small jumps. They can check for scratches, frost, chatter and patches that require a different edge angle. Coaches can compare those observations with the previous session and advise athletes before they alter blade settings or technical plans.

Blade preparation should also reflect the conditions rather than relying entirely on a familiar routine. A sharper or more aggressive setup may be less suitable on soft ice, while excessively shallow edges can struggle to find purchase on hard or frosty areas. Keeping blades dry, protecting them during off-ice warm-ups and carrying suitable sharpening tools can prevent avoidable problems during the event.

Review the official Torino 2019 schedule, identify the relevant practice block, and arrive at Palavela ready to read the ice before placing the first edge down.