International Style

The International Style of figure skating, introduced by American Jackson Haines in the mid-1860s, revolutionized the sport with its free and expressive techniques inspired by dance. This style contrasted with the earlier, more formal approach to skating. While popular in Europe, it took time to gain traction in the United States, with figures like Irving Brokaw and George H. Browne helping to formalize and popularize it in the early 20th century.1

Governing bodies such as the International Skating Union (ISU), founded in 1892, established rules and oversaw international competitions. Modern figure skating competitions are judged using the International Judging System (IJS), which replaced the subjective 6.0 system. The IJS awards points based on a technical score, determined by the difficulty and execution of elements, and a presentation score, which evaluates components like skating skills, choreography, and interpretation of music.2