Inside the Kiss and Cry Area at Torino 2019 Grand Prix Final

Just metres from the ice at the Palavela arena in Turin, a small fenced rectangle holds the hopes, nerves and quiet celebrations of every skater who completes a programme at the ISU Grand Prix Final. Known across the figure skating world as the kiss and cry area, this compact zone has become one of the most emotionally charged spaces in winter sport. It is where athletes wait, surrounded by their closest supporters, while the panel of judges finalises scores that can change careers in seconds. Cameras, coaches and fellow competitors all converge on this rectangle of matting in the moments that define a season.

For fans tuning in from Australia, the kiss and cry area often provides the most human window into a discipline defined by technical perfection. Whether broadcast live on SBS, streamed through subscription platforms or replayed on the ABC, the brief scene that follows each performance tells as much as the routine itself. With local stars such as Melbourne-born Kailani Craine regularly competing on the international circuit, Australian audiences are familiar with the anxious smiles, quick hugs and whispered conversations playing out in that small stretch of matting beside the rink. Time zones mean many supporters watch from Brisbane or Perth loungerooms in the early hours, where the compressed drama of the area feels especially concentrated.

Origins and Purpose of the Waiting Area

The phrase kiss and cry was first popularised during broadcasts of North American skating competitions in the late twentieth century, when commentators noticed that skaters always seemed to head to the same spot to receive their marks and to embrace family members or coaches. The naming stuck, even though the actual activity within the area involves far more than affection. Skaters wait there to hear their scores, discuss elements of the routine that may have gone wrong, and quickly compose themselves before any post-performance interview with broadcasters or print journalists.

The purpose of the space is functional as well as ceremonial. By gathering skaters, coaches and team staff in a defined location adjacent to the rink, officials and broadcasters can manage the flow of the competition while keeping the audience engaged. Cameras trained on the area deliver immediate reactions, and statisticians can collect split-second data needed by federations and event organisers. For viewers watching from Canberra or Adelaide, the area also serves as a familiar visual cue that the next phase of the competition is about to begin, signalling a transition from athletic performance to emotional aftermath.

The waiting area has also become a focal point for the cultural storytelling of the sport. Broadcasters use the time spent there to weave narratives about perseverance, comeback stories and family sacrifice. Skaters returning from injury, juniors stepping into their first senior Final, and seasoned champions chasing a final medal all share the same patch of matting, and the cameras trained on them create a shared emotional archive that lasts long after the season ends.

Physical Setup and Design Features

At major championships, including the Torino 2019 Grand Prix Final, the kiss and cry area typically consists of a soft mat, a couple of padded seats, a small barrier separating it from camera crews, and unobstructed sightlines back to the scoreboard. Sponsor branding, in line with International Skating Union guidelines, frames the perimeter, while neutral backdrops ensure that television cameras can capture clean shots of the athletes' faces. The mats are designed to absorb shock should a skater return directly from a hard fall on the ice, and the surfaces are kept clear of loose equipment to avoid trip hazards during quick costume changes.

The arrangement is deliberately intimate. Coaches sit beside the athlete, often with a printed protocol sheet that summarises the technical and component scores as soon as they appear. Handlers offer water, quick refreshments and, occasionally, a spare costume accessory if a sequin has come loose during the programme. Lighting is warm and even, calibrated to make sure expressions remain visible on both standard television and high-definition broadcasts reaching viewers from Sydney to Hobart. Audio technicians monitor ambient sound to avoid broadcasting private conversations while still capturing the genuine atmosphere of the moment.

How the Scoring Process Works

Once a skater exits the ice, the technical panel begins reviewing each element using specialised software, while judges input their marks on tablets. The system, governed by the International Judging System, compares the identified elements against pre-set base values and grades of execution, then converts the panel's collective assessments into a final number. For the audience watching from Darwin or regional Western Australia in the early hours of the morning, this entire process can seem instantaneous, but in reality it lasts around ninety seconds and involves multiple verification steps.

During those seconds, the kiss and cry area becomes a stage for nervous pacing, quiet reflection or animated conversations. The skater has not yet been officially informed of the result, although television graphics often reveal scores before officials confirm them on the arena screens. In Australia, fans are accustomed to this format through coverage on free-to-air networks, where graphic overlays replace the traditional on-ice scoreboard until the official announcement is made. Strict protocols under Sport Integrity Australia's anti-doping framework also require that certain checks are completed before any post-event interview, ensuring the integrity of the result.

The Team Around the Skater

No athlete enters the waiting area alone. Coaches occupy the closest seats, often using the downtime to highlight which elements may have been downgraded or to praise the parts of the programme that came together perfectly. In some cases, a sports psychologist or performance mentor, common in Australian high-performance programmes supported by the Australian Institute of Sport, will be present to help the skater manage adrenaline and disappointment. Choreographers and music coaches also attend, ready to review transitions or timing issues that became obvious only after the live performance under arena lighting.

Family members are frequently seated just outside the barrier or standing close by, depending on event accreditation rules. The intimate setting means that a single embrace, a shared laugh or a whispered conversation can communicate more than any post-event interview. For Australian competitors such as Brendan Kerry, who splits training between Sydney facilities and international camps in Europe and North America, this circle of support often includes long-time mentors flown in specifically for the Final. Their attendance is arranged under the strict visa and accreditation rules that govern major ISU events, with families typically meeting Australian Consular staff upon arrival in Italy.

Local community support also travels across hemispheres. Skaters emerging from Australian clubs such as the Sydney Ice Skating Club or the Melbourne Glaciarium often bring with them a network of friends, physiotherapists and nutritionists who have shaped their daily training. Their presence in the kiss and cry area reinforces a sense of national pride, even when results do not go as planned.

Essential Features of the Seating Zone

• A padded mat and chairs positioned beside the rink exit
• Direct sightlines to the scoreboard and officials' bench
• Sponsor branding aligned with ISU commercial guidelines
• Camera and microphone setups for live broadcast and replay
• Refreshment stations and printed protocol sheets for the team
• Quick-change space for skaters needing minor costume repairs

What Usually Happens in Those Few Minutes

• Coaches offer a brief debrief on visible element issues
• Skaters catch their breath and steady their nerves
• Technical panel scores are reviewed and confirmed
• The official mark appears on arena screens and broadcasts
• Athletes compose themselves for any press conference or interview

Tickets for the Grand Prix Final at the Palavela arena can be booked through the official Torino 2019 website, where seating charts offer fans a clear view of the kiss and cry area and the emotional moments that follow each performance on the ice. Australian visitors planning a winter sports trip can find travel tips, hospitality partners and event schedules updated throughout the season. Group bookings, accessible seating options and family ticket bundles are all listed alongside practice-session times and exhibition gala details, making it simple to plan a complete visit around the area where skaters wait, react and celebrate.