Understanding the kiss and cry at figure skating events
At a figure skating competition, the performance does not end when the music stops. Skaters still have a tense few minutes ahead: they leave the ice, meet their coach beside the rink, and wait for the judging panel to calculate the result. This small, highly visible space is known as the kiss and cry area.
The name captures the full range of emotions that can appear there. A successful score may bring hugs, laughter, and relief, while an unexpected deduction can lead to tears or quiet concentration. At an event such as the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Turin, this ritual gives spectators a close view of the human side of an elite competition.
The Palavela arena hosted the Torino 2019 Final from December 5–8, bringing together leading Senior and Junior skaters in men’s singles, ladies’ singles, pairs, and ice dance. Understanding what happens beside the boards makes the results, schedules, and competition experience even more meaningful.
Where the name comes from
The phrase “kiss and cry” describes the moment when a skater and coach sit together after a routine. They may embrace before the score appears, kiss in celebration, or remain close while processing disappointment. The area is therefore associated with both affectionate support and intense emotional reactions.
The exact origin of the expression is not completely settled, but it became established in international figure skating during the late twentieth century. It was initially used informally by people around the sport before becoming a familiar term for broadcasters, journalists, officials, and fans.
Its popularity comes from its vivid accuracy. The competition floor shows athletic control and artistic presentation; the kiss and cry reveals what the result means to the people who created that performance. It is a transition point between public performance and private emotion, even though cameras and spectators make the moment visible to everyone.
What happens after a skating routine
When a skater finishes, they usually return to the side of the rink through an access point near the judges and technical officials. A coach or team representative joins them in the designated seating area. The skater may remove their skates, accept a towel or drink, and watch the replay on a nearby screen while the score is prepared.
The judging process includes several parts. Technical specialists identify jumps, spins, steps, lifts, and other required elements. Judges assess the quality of those elements through the Grade of Execution, then award marks for program components such as skating skills, composition, and presentation. Falls, time violations, and other errors can lead to deductions.
The score displayed on screen is usually broken into a technical element score, a program component score, deductions, and a total. In a short program, rhythm dance, free skate, or free dance, the result is also placed alongside the scores already recorded by earlier competitors. This is why a skater’s expression may change as soon as the final number appears: the result affects both the event ranking and the pressure on those still to compete.
The kiss and cry is not a separate judging stage. Officials do not evaluate the skater’s reaction there. It is simply where competitors and coaches wait for the official result in a visible, organized setting.
Why the moment matters to athletes
Figure skating combines measurable elements with qualities that are harder to quantify. A jump can be under-rotated, a lift can receive a level, and a spin can gain positive execution marks, but the skater has also spent months shaping the program’s rhythm, character, and emotional arc. The score represents the judges’ assessment of that entire effort.
For this reason, the reaction in the kiss and cry can be intense even when the result is objectively strong. A personal best may bring tears because it confirms years of training. A high placement may feel disappointing if a skater had expected an even cleaner performance. Coaches often help athletes put the number into perspective before they return to the changing area.
The ritual also shows the importance of the coach-athlete relationship. The coach may have choreographed the program, selected technical content, corrected training habits, and supported the skater through injuries or setbacks. Sitting together after the routine creates a brief shared pause before the competitor moves on to interviews, medal ceremonies, practice, or recovery.
For younger competitors, especially those in Junior events, this support can be particularly visible. The first major international competitions may bring unfamiliar arenas, television attention, and strict judging. The kiss and cry offers a familiar point of contact immediately after an emotionally demanding performance.
How scoring appears in the seating area
A spectator can often understand the basic rhythm of the scene by watching the screen and the people seated beneath it. The following overview explains the main elements that shape the result.
| Scoring element | What it covers | What spectators may notice |
|---|---|---|
| Technical elements | Jumps, spins, steps, lifts, throws, and required features | Slow-motion replays, technical calls, and changing base values |
| Grade of Execution | The quality, control, flow, entry, exit, and difficulty of an element | Positive or negative marks after a jump, lift, spin, or step |
| Program components | Skating skills, transitions, performance, composition, and interpretation, according to the applicable rules | Marks that reflect the overall construction and presentation |
| Deductions | Falls, time issues, costume or equipment problems, and other rule violations | A reduction shown separately from the earned scores |
| Segment result | The total for the short program, rhythm dance, free skate, or free dance | The skater’s place within that part of the event |
| Overall standing | Combined results from the required segments | Movement up or down the event leaderboard |
The exact presentation can vary according to the competition format and current ISU rules. Senior and Junior events also have different required elements and program structures. Pairs and ice dance include partner-based features such as lifts and throws, while singles programs focus on an individual skater’s jumps, spins, and steps.
A live audience does not need to interpret every technical abbreviation to appreciate the occasion. The most useful starting points are the total score, the segment ranking, and the difference between the skater’s planned performance and what appeared on the ice. Official results and event information provide the detailed record after the competition.
The traditions audiences see there
Several familiar customs have developed around the kiss and cry. Coaches and skaters often embrace before the number is announced. Some clasp hands, lean forward toward the monitor, or cover their faces while waiting. Others stay remarkably still, reflecting the concentration required to absorb a result after several minutes of exertion.
Flowers, small gifts, team jackets, and national flags may also appear, particularly at major championships or special events. These details vary by venue and competition. The essential tradition is the shared wait: the athletes do not immediately disappear after performing, and spectators are allowed to witness the transition from uncertainty to recognition.
Television coverage has made the area part of the sport’s visual language. Broadcasters often show the score screen, replay, coach’s reaction, and final embrace in a single sequence. This can make the moment feel dramatic, but it is important to remember that the people shown are processing a real result, not performing a reaction for entertainment.
At the Torino 2019 Final, the setting carried additional significance because the competition brought together skaters who had qualified through the Grand Prix series. A place in the Final represented consistency across earlier international events. Every score in Turin therefore contributed to a larger season narrative, and each kiss and cry moment reflected that accumulated pressure.
Showing respect inside the arena
Spectators can enjoy the emotion of this tradition while still giving athletes appropriate space. The kiss and cry is designed to be visible, but visibility does not remove the need for courtesy. Loud reactions to a score are part of the atmosphere; comments aimed directly at a disappointed skater or coach are not.
Photography and filming rules depend on the venue and event policy. At a major competition, flash photography can distract skaters, officials, and nearby spectators. Visitors should follow the arena’s instructions, keep devices steady, and avoid obstructing views for people seated behind them.
It is also useful to watch the whole sequence rather than judging a reaction too quickly. A skater who looks unhappy may have achieved a personal best but hoped for an even higher mark. A calm response may conceal exhaustion, relief, or disappointment. Scores, official placements, and post-event comments offer more reliable context than a few seconds of body language.
The same consideration applies during practice sessions. Athletes use official practice time to test entrances, music timing, jumps, lifts, and patterns. These sessions are part of their preparation, not a second performance for the audience. Quiet attention and adherence to staff instructions help preserve the training environment.
Making the most of the competition experience
Learning the basic structure of the event can make a visit to Palavela more rewarding. Before arriving, spectators can review the schedule, discipline format, and competitor information. Knowing whether the session includes men’s, ladies’, pairs, or ice dance helps explain the different elements and scoring language.
- Arrive early enough to pass through entry checks and find the correct seating section.
- Keep the official schedule available so warm-ups, competition groups, and breaks are easy to follow.
- Watch the score display as well as the ice to connect technical elements with the final result.
- Follow venue rules for photography, movement, food, and mobile devices.
- Give skaters and coaches respectful attention during the score announcement and replay.
The wider event experience includes much more than the few minutes after each routine. Practice sessions reveal how athletes prepare, while the exhibition gala presents skating in a less strictly competitive setting. Ticketing and seating information can help visitors choose between a close view of the boards, a wider perspective of the whole rink, or an atmosphere shaped by the most dedicated sections of the crowd.
Volunteer teams, arena staff, officials, and broadcast crews also help create the conditions for the kiss and cry ritual. Their work keeps competitors moving on time, ensures scores are displayed accurately, and allows the audience to follow a complex international event without seeing every logistical detail.
The next time a skater leaves the ice and sits beside a coach, look beyond the visible tears or celebration. Notice the replay, the score breakdown, the coach’s body language, and the way the athlete responds to the result. Together, these details explain why the area has become one of figure skating’s most recognizable traditions.
Explore the Torino 2019 event information, review the disciplines and results, and revisit the competition atmosphere that made the Palavela a memorable stage for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Understanding the kiss and cry turns each score announcement into a fuller story of preparation, performance, partnership, and emotion.