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Junior & Senior Final · Palavela, Turin · 5–8 December 2019

Inside The Kiss And Cry At A Figure Skating Grand Prix

The kiss and cry is one of the most recognisable spaces in figure skating. It is where skaters sit with their coach after a performance, watch the technical panel’s marks appear, and experience the first public reaction to their result. For spectators at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Turin, it offers an intimate view of competition that feels very different from the scale and spectacle of the Palavela arena.

Although the area looks relaxed on television, every second carries meaning. A skater may be processing a mistake, celebrating a personal best, or waiting to see whether a score is high enough to change the standings. Coaches read the display carefully, officials manage the timing, and cameras capture reactions that can become some of the event’s most memorable images.

Australian viewers may already know the kiss and cry from broadcasts of events in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, but seeing it in an international arena adds another layer. The routine is shaped by ISU procedures, Italian event presentation and the particular pressure of a Grand Prix Final, where Senior and Junior athletes arrive after a demanding qualifying season.

Why The Kiss And Cry Matters

The name refers to the mixture of emotion that follows a performance: skaters may kiss loved ones or coaches in celebration, then cry when the result falls short of expectations. The phrase has become part of skating vocabulary, although the area itself is usually a small, carefully positioned platform beside the rink rather than a private room.

After leaving the ice, the skater typically passes through a brief mixed-zone style area before joining the coach. They may remove their skates, receive a jacket or towel, and take a breath while officials prepare the result. The coach often offers immediate reassurance, but their attention also turns towards the scores, element levels and component marks.

For spectators, this is the first point when performance becomes measurable. A clean quadruple jump, a difficult lift, a level-four spin or a well-executed step sequence may be reflected in the technical score. Skating skills, transitions, performance, composition and interpretation contribute to the programme component score, so the final total may tell a more complicated story than the visible mistakes or highlights.

The Moments Between Skating And Scoring

The atmosphere changes according to the discipline. In men’s and ladies’ singles, the athlete usually sits with one coach and watches the score arrive. In pairs and ice dance, two skaters may share the space, creating a different emotional rhythm as they look at each other, their coach and the screen.

The wait can be short, but it may feel long. The replay is often shown while the marks are being finalised, giving the skater and coach a chance to review the programme. A mistake that looked disastrous from the stands may have a smaller effect than expected, while an edge call, under-rotation or fall deduction can alter the result.

The crowd also plays a role. Applause usually continues when a skater reaches the area, then softens as the score is displayed. At a major event such as the Turin Final, supporters may react loudly to a leading score or a personal best. Even so, the kiss and cry is intended to preserve a moment of concentration, so audience behaviour is generally more respectful than celebratory chanting during a football match.

For Australian fans, the timing of these reactions can be unfamiliar. Turin is generally nine or ten hours behind Australian Eastern time, depending on daylight saving, and the Grand Prix Final took place in December when Melbourne and Sydney were observing summer time. A late-night or early-morning broadcast may make the quiet tension of the area feel even more intense, especially when viewers are following results through a live stream rather than sitting inside Palavela.

How Coaches And Officials Shape The Experience

The coach’s role begins before the skater sits down. They may help remove equipment, offer water, make a brief technical comment or simply provide physical reassurance. Some coaches speak continuously, while others allow silence. Their response is influenced by the result, the athlete’s personality and whether the programme is the short programme, rhythm dance, free skating or free dance.

The scoring display is controlled through the event’s official systems rather than by the skater or coach. Judges assess the performance, the technical panel identifies elements and errors, and the results team publishes the mark once the process is complete. This is why the reaction in the kiss and cry can change within seconds: an initial smile may disappear when a deduction is confirmed, or a worried expression may turn into relief when the total beats a season’s best.

Television coverage gives the area a special visual status. Broadcasters may show close-ups, replays and translated comments, while arena spectators see the scene from a greater distance. At Palavela, the experience depends on seating location, sightlines and whether the video screens are visible. Event guests should avoid holding phones above their heads for long periods, since that can obstruct the view of people behind them.

Photography and recording also require discretion. Italian venue rules and event security instructions may limit professional equipment, large bags or disruptive behaviour. Australian visitors are familiar with similar policies at major arenas such as Rod Laver Arena or Qudos Bank Arena, where security checks, ticket conditions and restrictions on large cameras are routine. The safest approach is to follow the posted rules and avoid using flash near athletes.

What Viewers Can Learn From The Reaction

A kiss and cry response should not be treated as a simple rating of whether a programme was good or bad. A skater may appear disappointed after a technically strong performance because they expected a higher component score. Another may be delighted with a lower placement because they achieved a clean routine after injury, illness or a difficult season.

Understanding the result sheet makes the scene more meaningful. The total score combines the technical element score and programme component score, with deductions applied where relevant. In singles and pairs, the short programme creates a starting position for the free skate. In ice dance, the rhythm dance comes before the free dance. A reaction after the first segment therefore needs to be read in the context of the event standings rather than as a final verdict.

Junior and Senior competitions can produce different emotional patterns. Junior skaters may be appearing at one of their first major international events, and a personal best can be a major achievement even without a podium finish. Senior athletes may arrive with established reputations, previous medals and heavier expectations. The Turin event brought together skaters who had earned their places through the Grand Prix series, so every result carried implications for rankings and future selection.

The area also shows the human side of judging. Scores are precise, but the athletes are responding to an experience that includes physical exhaustion, travel, nerves and months of preparation. Watching respectfully means allowing the skater’s reaction to exist without turning every tear, laugh or uncomfortable pause into entertainment. This is especially important for young competitors, whose expressions may be broadcast internationally within moments.

Experiencing The Arena Respectfully

Spectators can enjoy the kiss and cry without treating it as a separate show. The performance remains the central event, and the area is a continuation of the skater’s competition rather than a celebrity photo opportunity. Applaud the athlete when they leave the ice, listen during the score announcement and respond warmly to a strong result.

At Palavela, practical comfort matters during a full day of skating. Turin’s December weather can be cold and damp, while indoor arenas may feel warm once the crowd arrives. Dress in layers, carry only permitted items and allow extra time for transport, ticket checks and security. Visitors from Australia may be accustomed to travelling to arenas by car or tram in cities such as Melbourne, but Turin spectators should check local routes and event-specific access information before leaving their accommodation.

Italian audience habits may also differ from those at home. Applause, vocal support and enthusiastic reactions are part of live skating, but quiet attention during announcements helps everyone follow the programme. Avoid blocking views with phones, and do not call out to skaters while they are waiting for their marks. If an athlete is visibly upset, the most supportive response is calm applause rather than shouted commentary.

Australian visitors should also remember that consumer and privacy expectations apply in a different legal setting. Ticket terms, filming policies and venue conditions are governed by the event organiser and Italian law, rather than Australian rules such as the Privacy Act 1988 or state-based crowd regulations. Do not assume that a public performance gives unlimited permission to sell or repost close-up footage. Personal memories are one thing; commercial use, intrusive filming and unauthorised branding may create problems.

Practical Ways To Follow The Scoring Moment

The kiss and cry can be difficult to read at first, especially when several events are running across a packed competition schedule. A simple preparation routine helps spectators understand what they are seeing without distracting from the athletes’ reactions.

The official event programme and results information provide useful context for each discipline. Reviewing the schedule before arriving can also help visitors plan meals, transport and breaks, particularly when attending several sessions. In Australia, many people are used to checking venue apps, digital tickets and transport updates on a phone, but international roaming costs and patchy arena reception make a downloaded schedule worthwhile.

A respectful spectator notices both the score and the person receiving it. The most powerful moments may involve a champion celebrating a leading mark, a pair comforting each other after a fall, or a junior athlete smiling at a new personal best. Each scene adds detail to the broader Grand Prix experience and helps explain why the kiss and cry remains such a compelling part of figure skating coverage.

When watching the Turin event archive or following future ISU competitions, keep the results page open, learn the event format and give the athletes your full attention after they leave the ice. The kiss and cry is where preparation, judging and emotion meet in public, and understanding that moment makes every programme feel more connected to the people performing it.