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The 6.0 System: Short Program Required Elements

So you've gone down a YouTube rabbit hole and started binge-watching figure skating competitions from years gone by... Loving that for you! 

If you want to understand what you're watching, you're in the right place. This handy reference guide to required elements in the men's, women's and pairs short program was compiled from old rulebooks, skating magazines and ISU Communications. If you're curious about how the short program evolved over the years, you might find this interesting!

SENIOR MEN

Year

Required Elements

Notes

1972/1973

Jump combination with at least 1 flip, loop, Salchow or toe-loop

Double Axel or double Lutz

Single Axel

Flying camel spin

Sit spin with change of foot

Straight line step sequence

2 minutes

1973/1974

Jump combination with at least 1 flip, loop, Salchow or toe-loop

Double Axel or double Lutz

Single Axel

Flying sit spin with change of foot on landing

Upright Spin

Serpentine step sequence


1974/1975

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Single Axel

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with change of foot

Circular step sequence

Decision made at 1973 ISU Congress to increase from 6 to 7 elements in singles short programs, adding a combination spin

1975/1976

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any other double or triple jump

Double Axel

Single Axel

Flying camel spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Sit spin with change of foot

Straight line step sequence


1976/1977

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Single Axel

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with change of foot

Circular step sequence


1977/1978

Jump combination consisting of double toe-loop with any other double or triple jump

Double loop

Double Axel

Flying sit spin with change of foot on landing

Crossfoot spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Serpentine step sequence

2 mins

1978/1979

Jump combination consisting of double flip with any other double or triple jump

Double Salchow

Double Axel

Flying camel spin

Sit spin with change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence


1979/1980

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Double Axel

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Circular step sequence


1980/1981

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Double Axel

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Circular step sequence


1981/1982

Jump combination consisting of double flip with any double or triple jump

Double Salchow

Double Axel

Flying camel spin

Sit spin with change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence

2 min

1982/1983

Jump combination consisting of double toe-loop with any double or triple jump

Double loop

Double Axel

Flying sit spin with change of foot on landing

Crossfoot spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Serpentine step sequence


1983/1984

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any double or triple jump

Double flip

Double Axel

Flying camel spin landing in a full sitting position (death drop permitted)

Camel spin with one change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence


1984/1985

Jump combination consisting of double toe-loop with any double or triple jump

Double Salchow

Double Axel

Flying camel spin

Sit spin with 1 change of foot

Combination spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence


1985/1986

Jump combination consisting of double loop together with the same, or any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Double Axel

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with 1 change of foot

Combination spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Circular step sequence


1986/1987

Jump combination consisting of double toe-loop with any double or triple jump

Double loop

Double Axel

Flying sit spin with change of foot on landing

Crossfoot spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Serpentine step sequence


1987/1988

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any double or triple jump

Double flip

Double Axel

Flying camel spin ending in a full sitting position or death drop

Camel spin with 1 change of foot

Combination spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence


1988/1989

Jump combination consisting of 2 triple jumps, 1 double and 1 triple jump or 2 double jumps

Triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Spin with at least 2 changes of foot and 1 change of position

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

2 Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)

2 min 40 secs, renamed to Original Program

1989/1990

Jump combination consisting of 2 triple jumps, 1 double and 1 triple jump or 2 double jumps

Triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Spin with at least 2 changes of foot and 1 change of position

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Step sequence

Step sequence (of a different nature to the first)

2 min 40 secs

1990/1991

Jump combination consisting of 2 triple jumps, 1 double and 1 triple jump or 2 double jumps

Triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Spin with at least 2 changes of foot and 1 change of position

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Step sequence

Step sequence (of a different nature to the first)

2 min 40 secs

1991/1992

Jump combination consisting of 2 triple jumps, 1 double and 1 triple jump or 2 double jumps

Triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Spin with at least 2 changes of foot and 1 change of position

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Step sequence

Step sequence (of a different nature to the first)


1992/1993

Jump combination consisting of 2 triple jumps, 1 double and 1 triple jump or 2 double jumps

Triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Spin with at least 2 changes of foot and 1 change of position

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Step sequence

Step sequence (of a different nature to the first)


1993/1994

Jump combination consisting of 2 triple jumps, 1 double and 1 triple jump or 2 double jumps

Triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin with change of foot and position

Spin with at least 2 changes of foot and 1 change of position

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Step sequence

Step sequence (of a different nature to the first)


1994/1995

Double Axel

Triple jump preceded by connecting steps and/or comparable free skating movements

Jump combination consisting of 2 triple jumps or 1 double and 1 triple jump

Flying spin

Flying camel or sit spin with only 1 change of foot

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least two changes of position

2 step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)

Technical program changed to short program

1995/1996

Double Axel

Triple jump preceded by connecting steps and/or comparable free skating movements

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump or two triple jumps, without intervening steps or turns

Flying spin

Camel spin or sit spin with 1 change of foot

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least two changes of position

2 step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


1996/1997

Double Axel

Triple jump preceded by connecting steps and/or comparable free skating movements

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump or two triple jumps, without intervening steps or turns

Flying spin

Camel spin or sit spin with 1 change of foot

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least two changes of position

2 step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


1997/1998

Double Axel

Triple jump preceded by connecting steps

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump or 2 triple jumps, without intervening steps or turns

Flying spin

Camel spin or sit spin with 1 change of foot

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

2 step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


1998/1999

Double or triple Axel

Triple or quadruple jump preceded by connecting steps

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump with a triple or quadruple jump; the jumps from elements (a) or (b) may not be repeated here, and skaters may only do one quadruple jump in the program

Flying spin; the flying position must be achieved in the air, and the skater must do at least 8 rotations in the spinning position

Camel spin or sit spin with a change of foot; at least 6 rotations on each foot

Spin combination with a change of foot and at least two changes of position; the spin must include camel, sit, and upright positions, and there must be at least 6 rotations on each foot

2 Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


1999/2000

Double or triple Axel

Triple or quadruple jump preceded by connecting steps

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump with a triple or quadruple jump; the jumps from elements (a) or (b) may not be repeated here, and skaters may only do one quadruple jump in the program

Flying spin; the flying position must be achieved in the air, and the skater must do at least 8 rotations in the spinning position

Camel spin or sit spin with a change of foot; at least 6 rotations on each foot

Spin combination with a change of foot and at least two changes of position; the spin must include camel, sit, and upright positions, and there must be at least 6 rotations on each foot

2 Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


2000/2001

Double or triple Axel

Triple or quadruple jump preceded by connecting steps

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump with a triple or quadruple jump; the jumps from elements (a) or (b) may not be repeated here, and skaters may only do one quadruple jump in the program

Flying spin; the flying position must be achieved in the air, and the skater must do at least 8 rotations in the spinning position

Camel spin or sit spin with 1 change of foot; at least 6 rotations on each foot

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position; the spin must include camel, sit, and upright positions, and there must be at least 6 rotations on each foot

2 Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


2001/2002

Double or triple Axel

One triple or quadruple jump

One jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump, two triple jumps, a quad and a double or a quad and a triple

Flying spin, with a minimum of eight revolutions

Camel spin or sit spin with only 1 change of foot

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

2 Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


2002/2003

Double or triple Axel

One triple or quadruple jump

One jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump, two triple jumps, a quad and a double or a quad and a triple

Flying spin, with a minimum of eight revolutions

Camel spin or sit spin with only 1 change of foot

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

2 Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


2003/2004

Double or triple Axel

One triple or quadruple jump (triple Axel cannot be repeated)

One jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump, two triple jumps, a quad and a double or a quad and a triple (cannot repeat quad if executed as a solo jump)

Flying spin, with a minimum of eight revolutions

Camel spin or sit spin with only 1 change of foot

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

2 Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


SENIOR WOMEN

Year

Required Elements

Notes

1972/1973

Jump combination with at least 1 Salchow, flip, loop or toe-loop

Double Axel or double Lutz

Single Axel

Flying sit spin with change of foot on landing

Upright Spin

Serpentine step sequence

2 minutes

1973/1974

Jump combination with at least 1 Salchow, flip, loop or toe-loop

Double Axel or double Lutz

Single Axel

Flying camel spin

Sit spin with change of foot

Straight line step sequence


1974/1975

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Single Axel

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with change of foot

Circular step sequence


1975/1976

Jump combination consisting of double flip with any other double or triple jump

Double Axel

Single Axel

Flying Axel sit spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Sit spin with change of foot

Serpentine step sequence


1976/1977

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Single Axel

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with change of foot

Circular step sequence


1977/1978

Jump combination consisting of double toe-loop with any other double or triple jump

Double loop

Double Axel

Flying sit spin with change of foot on landing

Layback Spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Serpentine step sequence

2 mins

1978/1979

Jump combination consisting of double flip with any other double or triple jump

Double Salchow

Double Axel

Flying camel spin

Sit spin with change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence


1979/1980

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Double Axel

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Circular step sequence


1980/1981

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Double Axel

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Circular step sequence


1981/1982

Jump combination consisting of double flip with any double or triple jump

Double Salchow

Double Axel

Flying camel spin

Sit spin with change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence

2 min

1982/1983

Jump combination consisting of double toe-loop with any double or triple jump

Double loop

Double Axel

Flying sit spin with change of foot on landing

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Serpentine step sequence


1983/1984

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any double or triple jump

Double flip

Double Axel

Flying camel spin landing in a full sitting position (death drop permitted)

Camel spin with one change of foot

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence


1984/1985

Jump combination consisting of double toe-loop with any double or triple jump

Double Salchow

Double Axel

Flying camel spin

Sit spin with 1 change of foot

Combination spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence


1985/1986

Jump combination consisting of double loop together with the same, or any other double or triple jump

Double Lutz

Double Axel

Flying sit spin

Camel spin with 1 change of foot

Combination spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Circular step sequence


1986/1987

Jump combination consisting of double toe-loop with any double or triple jump

Double loop

Double Axel

Flying sit spin with change of foot on landing

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Serpentine step sequence


1987/1988

Jump combination consisting of double loop with any double or triple jump

Double flip

Double Axel

Flying camel spin ending in a full sitting position or death drop

Camel spin with 1 change of foot

Combination spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Straight line step sequence


1988/1989

Jump combination consisting of 1 double and 1 triple jump or 2 double jumps

Double jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine)

2 min 40 secs

1989/1990

Jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump or 2 double jumps

Double jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence

2 min 40 secs

1990/1991


Jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump or 2 double jumps

Double jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence

2 min 40 secs

1991/1992

Jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump or 2 double jumps

Double jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1992/1993

Jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump or 2 double jumps

Double jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Double Axel

Flying spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1993/1994

Double Axel

Double jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Jump combination consisting of two double jumps or a double and a triple jump

Flying spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes in position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence (straight, circular or serpentine)


1994/1995

Double Axel

Double or triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Jump combination consisting of two double jumps or a double and a triple jump

Flying spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes in position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence (straight, circular or serpentine)

Technical program changed to short program

1995/1996

Double Axel

Double or triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Jump combination consisting of two double jumps or a double and a triple jump

Flying spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes in position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence (straight, circular or serpentine)


1996/1997

Double Axel

Double or triple jump preceded by connecting steps

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump or two triple jumps, without intervening steps or turns

Flying spin

Layback or sideways leaning spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1997/1998

Double Axel

Double or triple jump preceded by connecting steps

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump or two triple jumps, without intervening steps or turns

Flying spin

Layback spin

Spin combination with 1 change of foot and at least 2 changes of position

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1998/1999

Double Axel

Double or triple jump preceded by connecting steps

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump or two triple jumps, without intervening steps or turns

Flying spin; the flying position must be achieved in the air, and the skater must do at least 8 rotations in the spinning position

Layback spin; at least 8 rotations in layback position

Spin combination with a change of foot and at least two changes of position; the spin must include camel, sit, and upright positions, and there must be at least 6 rotations on each foot

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1999/2000

Double Axel

Double or triple jump preceded by connecting steps

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump or two triple jumps, without intervening steps or turns

Flying spin; the flying position must be achieved in the air, and the skater must do at least 8 rotations in the spinning position

Layback spin; at least 8 rotations in layback position

Spin combination with a change of foot and at least two changes of position; the spin must include camel, sit, and upright positions, and there must be at least 6 rotations on each foot

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


2000/2001

Double Axel

Double or triple jump preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

Combination of a double jump and a triple jump or two triple jumps, without intervening steps or turns

Flying spin; the flying position must be achieved in the air, and the skater must do at least 8 rotations in the spinning position

Layback spin; at least 8 rotations in layback position

Spin combination with a change of foot and at least two changes of position; the spin must include camel, sit, and upright positions, and there must be at least 6 rotations on each foot

Spiral step sequence (serpentine, circular or oval or a combination of the 2)

Step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine)


2001/2002

Double Axel

One double or triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

One jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump or two triple jumps

Flying spin, with a minimum of eight revolutions

Layback or sideways leaning spin, minimum of eight revolutions

Spin combination with a change of foot and at least two changes of position; the spin must include camel, sit, and upright positions, and there must be at least 6 rotations on each foot

Spiral step sequence (serpentine, circular or oval or a combination of the two)

Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


2002/2003

Double Axel

One double or triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

One jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump or two triple jumps

Flying spin, with a minimum of eight revolutions

Layback or sideways leaning spin, minimum of eight revolutions

Spin combination with a change of foot and at least two changes of position; the spin must include camel, sit, and upright positions, and there must be at least 6 rotations on each foot

Spiral step sequence (serpentine, circular or oval or a combination of the two)

Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)


2003/2004

Double Axel

One double or triple jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements

One jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump or two triple jumps

Flying spin, with a minimum of eight revolutions

Layback or sideways leaning spin, minimum of eight revolutions

Spin combination with a change of foot and at least two changes of position; the spin must include camel, sit, and upright positions, and there must be at least 6 rotations on each foot

Spiral step sequence with at least 3 spiral positions and 1 change of foot, doing a spiral on each foot

Step sequences of a different nature (straight line, circular or serpentine)



SENIOR PAIRS

Year

Required Elements

Notes

1963/1964 (trial)

Single Axel Paulsen lift or single lasso (overhead Axel) lift

Solo single Axel or double Salchow

Pair camel or sit spin

Solo sit or Flying camel spins

One-hand death spiral or one-arm backwards pivot spiral

Step combination executed together or close together (according to the character of the music)

Compulsory connected program, up to 2 min 30 sec (may be less, provided all elements are completed)

1964/1965 (trial)

Single Axel Paulsen lift

Solo single Axel jump

Pair camel spin

Solo sit spins

One-hand death spiral

Step combination executed together or close together (according to the character of the music)

Compulsory connected program, up to 2 min 30 sec (may be less, provided all elements are completed)

1965/1966

Solo Split Jump

Single Axel Paulsen Lift

death spiral (1 Arm)

Individual Flying camel spins

Pair sit spin

Straight line step sequence

Serpentine step sequence

Format changed to “a fixed program of 7 compulsory elements”, 2 min 30 sec

1966/1967

Double split Lutz lift

Solo double toe-loops

Catch-waist pair camel spin

Solo camel spins

Backward outside death spiral

Serpentine step sequence

2 min 30 sec

1967/1968

Solo Split Jump

Single Axel Paulsen Lift

death spiral (1 Arm)

Individual Flying camel spins

Pair sit spin

Straight line step sequence

Serpentine step sequence

2 min 30 sec

1968/1969

Double split Lutz lift

Solo double toe-loops

Catch-waist pair camel spin

Solo camel spins

Backward outside death spiral

Serpentine step sequence

Renamed to “short program”, 2 min (reduced time and number of elements reduced from 7 to 6)

1969/1970

Solo double Salchows

Double lasso lift

Backward outside death spiral

Solo Flying camel spins

Pair sit spins with change of foot

Straight line step sequence


1970/1971

Double split Lutz lift

Solo double toe-loops

Catch-waist pair camel spin

Solo camel spins

Backward outside death spiral

Serpentine step sequence


1971/1972

Solo double Salchows

Double lasso lift

Backward outside death spiral

Solo Flying camel spins

Pair sit spins

Straight line step sequence


1972/1973

Solo double flips

Double hand-to-hand loop lift

Backward inside death spiral

Solo camel spins in tango position

Solo flying sit spins with change of foot

Crossing Serpentine step sequence


1973/1974

Solo double Salchows

Double lasso lift

Backward outside death spiral

Solo sit spins with change of foot

Pair camel spin in Tango position

Serpentine step sequence


1974/1975

Solo double flips

Double hand-to-hand loop lift

Backward inside death spiral

Solo camel spins in Tango position

Solo flying sit spins with change of foot

Crossing serpentine step sequence


1975/1976

Solo double loops

Double Lutz lift

Backward outside death spiral

Solo camel spins with change of foot

Pair sit spin

Circular step sequence


1976/1977

Solo double toe-loops

Double hand-to-hand loop lift

Forward inside life spiral

Solo Flying camel spins

Pair sit spin

Straight line step sequence


1977/1978

Solo double Salchows

Double lasso lift

Backward outside death spiral

Solo sit spins with change of foot

Pair camel spin in Tango position

Serpentine step sequence


1978/1979

Solo double flips

Double hand-to-hand loop lift

Backward inside death spiral

Pair camel spin in Tango position

Solo sit spins with change of foot

Crossing serpentine step sequence


1979/1980

Solo double flips

Double hand-to-hand loop lift

Backward inside death spiral

Pair camel spin in Tango position

Solo sit spins with change of foot

Crossing serpentine step sequence


1980/1981

Solo double Salchows

Double lasso lift

Backward outside death spiral

Solo Flying camel spins

Pair sit spins

Straight line step sequence


1981/1982

Solo double toe-loops

Double hand-to-hand loop lift

Split double Lutz lift

Forward inside death spiral

Solo Flying camel spins

Pair combination spin with at least 1 change of position

Straight line step sequence

2 min 15 secs, increased time and increased elements from 6 to 7 (spin combination added)

1982/1983

Solo double flips

One-hand lasso lift

Split double Lutz twist lift

Backward outside death spiral

Solo camel spin with 1 change of foot

Closed low spin parallel (pair spin)

Circular step sequence


1983/1984

Solo double loops

Double lasso lift

Split double Lutz twist lift

Backward inside death spiral

Solo sit spin with change of foot

Pair combination spin with at least 1 change of position

Serpentine step sequence


1984/1985

Solo double Salchow

Double toe lasso lift

Split double Lutz twist lift

Backward outside death spiral

Solo sit spin with change of foot

Pair camel spin in Tango position

Spiral step sequence


1985/1986

Solo double flips

Double hand-to-hand loop lift

Split double Lutz twist lift

Forward inside death spiral

Side-by-side flying camel spins

Pair combination spin with at least 1 change of foot

Straight line step sequence


1986/1987

Solo double loops

Overhead lift

Split double twist lift

Backward outside death spiral

Solo camel spins with change of foot

Pair sit spin

Circular step sequence


1987/1988

Solo double flips

Split double twist lift

Double lasso lift

Backward inside death spiral

Solo sit spins with change of foot

Pair combination spin

Serpentine step sequence


1988/1989

Solo double jump

Overhead lift

Double twist lift

death spiral

Solo spin with or without change of foot

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of position and only 1 change of foot (sit, camel, upright or any combination thereof)

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine)

Changed to original program, 2 mins 40 secs

1989/1990

Solo double jump

Double overhead lift

Double twist lift

death spiral

Solo Spin with 1 change of foot and 1 change of position

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of position and Only 1 change of foot

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1990/1991


Solo double jump

Double overhead lift

Double twist lift

death spiral

Solo Spin with 1 change of foot and 1 change of position

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of position and Only 1 change of foot

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1991/1992

Solo double jump

Double overhead lift

Double twist lift

Death spiral

Solo Spin with 1 change of foot and 1 change of position

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of position and Only 1 change of foot

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1992/1993

Solo double jump

Double overhead lift

Double twist lift

Death spiral

Solo Spin with 1 change of foot and 1 change of position

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of position and Only 1 change of foot

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1993/1994

Solo double jump

Double overhead lift

Double twist lift

Death spiral

Solo Spin with 1 change of foot and 1 change of position

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of position and Only 1 change of foot

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1994/1995

Solo double or triple jump

Double overhead lift

Double twist lift

Death spiral

Solo Spin with 1 change of foot and 1 change of position

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of position and Only 1 change of foot

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence

Technical program changed to short program

1995/1996

Solo double or triple jump

Double overhead lift

Double twist lift

Death spiral

Solo Spin with 1 change of foot and 1 change of position

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of position and Only 1 change of foot

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1996/1997

Overhead lift with a hand-to-hip lift take-off

Double twist lift

Side-by-side double or triple jumps

Side-by-side spin combinations, with only 1change of foot and at least 1 change of position

Pair spin combination

Forward or backward inside death spiral

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence


1997/1998

Overhead lift with a hand-to-hand take-off

Double twist lift

Side-by-side double or triple jumps

Side-by-side Spin combinations, with only 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position

Forward or back outside death spiral

Spiral step sequence

Step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine)


1998/1999

Any lift with a hand-to-hand lift take-off

Double twist lift

Side-by-side double or triple jumps

Side-by-side spin combinations, with only 1 change of foot, at least 1 change of position, and at least 5 rotations on each foot

Pair spin combination with at least 1 change of foot and at least 1 change in position and at least 8 rotations in all

Forward or back outside death spiral

Spiral step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine)

One throw jump (double or triple)

Throw added

1999/2000

Overhead lift (with a specific takeoff that changes each year)

Double twist lift

Side-by-side double or triple jumps

Side-by-side Spin combinations, with a change of foot, at least one change of position, and at least 5 rotations on each foot

Pair spin combination with a change of foot and at least one change in position and at least 8 rotations in all

death spiral (on a specific edge that changes each year)

Step sequence or a Spiral step sequence (the specific requirement changes each year)

One throw jump (double or triple)


2000/2001

Any lift with a hand-to-hand lift take-off

Double twist lift (split in the air required)

One solo jump (double or triple)

Solo spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position

Pair spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least one change in position and at least 8 rotations in all

Backward outside death spiral

Spiral step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine)

One throw jump (double or triple)


2001/2002

Any lift with a hand-to-hand lift take-off

Double twist lift (split in the air required)

One throw jump (double or triple)

One solo jump (double or triple)

Solo spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position (minimum 5 revolutions on each foot)

Pair spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position (sit, camel, upright or any variation thereof)

Backward outside death spiral

Spiral step sequence (at least 2 spiral positions by each partner must be executed)


2002/2003

Any lift with a hand-to-hip lift take-off

Double twist lift (split in the air required)

One throw jump (double or triple)

One solo jump (double or triple)

Solo spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position (minimum 5 revolutions on each foot)

Pair spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position (sit, camel, upright or any variation thereof)

Forward inside death spiral

Spiral step sequence (at least 2 spiral positions by each partner must be executed)


2003/2004

Overhead lift with hand-to-hand lift take-off (minimum 2 revolutions by woman, minimum 1/maximum 3.5 revolutions by man)

Double twist lift (split in the air required)

One throw jump (double or triple)

One solo jump (double or triple)

Solo spin with only 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position (minimum 5 revolutions on each foot)

Pair spin combination with only 1 change of foot and at least 1 change of position (sit, camel, upright or any variation thereof)

Backward outside death spiral

Step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine)

Max 2 min 40 secs

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on FacebookBlueskyPinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering one of six fascinating books highlighting the history of figure skating: https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.

The 10K Mark

It's taken 11 years but I'm so excited to share that Skate Guard Blog has now reached 10,000 subscribers on Facebook! 

11 years ago, I started Skate Guard Blog as a way of sharing my passion for figure skating history with all of you. 

Over 1,500 blogs and 5 (soon to be 6!) books later, Skate Guard now has over 3.7 million page views, averaging between 20,000 and 30,000 visits a month. 

I want to express my deepest appreciation for all of you who have commented and shared on Facebook and reached out over the years. Without you, I wouldn't be doing this.

Thank you for your support & I can't wait to share more fascinating stories from the sport's history in 2025!

Belgian Gold: The Micheline Lannoy and Pierre Baugniet Story


Micheline Lannoy and Pierre Baugniet were born six months apart in 1925. Micheline was born in Brussels on January 31; Pierre in Antwerp on July 23. Micheline's mother Simone was an aspiring figure skater; her stepfather Louis de Ridder represented Belgium in three different sports in the Winter Olympics in the twenties and thirties - hockey, bobsleigh and speed skating. Pierre's father René's background is unknown.

Photo courtesy "Skating World" magazine

Micheline started skating at the age of seven; Pierre at the age of nine. Even as small children, the young skaters were regarded as two of the Ligue Belge des Sports d'Hiver's most promising young stars. Before World War II, they both won the 'scolaire' and junior classes at the Belgian Championships in singles skating. She claimed the Belgian women's title in 1941, 1944 and 1946; he took the men's from 1940 to 1944. Micheline also won the Suvretta Challenge Cup, an international event for junior skaters, in 1939.

Top: Pierre Baugniet and Hans Gerschwiler. Bottom: Charles Landot and Pierre Baugniet.

Micheline and Pierre both trained mostly in Belgium, but before the War travelled to St. Moritz for stints in the winter to work with Charles Landot, a skater and painter whom sportswriter Howard Bass described as a "shrewd, white-haired pedagogue". Monsieur Landot primarily taught at the Suvretta House rink but would come to Brussels or Antwerp in the spring and autumn to work with Belgian skaters.


Micheline and Pierre began skating as a pair somewhat by accident. In a 1947 letter to Theresa Weld Blanchard, Pierre's father René recalled, "It was only in 1943 that one day Micheline and Pierre were trying pair skating, just as a recreation, when Mr. [Landot] noticed suddenly how easily they worked together. This evidently resulted from the fact that they had always skated on the same rinks, with the same trainer, having both the same methods, same style, same positions as well as a similar speed." The following year the duo won their first Belgian title. Their country's Nationals weren't held in 1945 because the Antwerp rink was severely damaged by V-1 and V-2 bombs. When Belgium was liberated by the British and American armies, the bombed Antwerp rink was repaired surprisingly quickly and by the autumn of 1945, skating resumed and they repeated as Belgian champions in 1946 and 1947.


In the winter of 1945-46, Micheline and Pierre travelled to Amsterdam, The Hague, Chamonix and Paris, and met skaters Hans Gerschwiler and Daphne Walker along the way. As travels to Switzerland hadn't been possible at the height of the War, it was a great pleasure for them to have contact with the 'outside world' of skating.

Top: Micheline Lannoy and Pierre Baugniet practicing in Switzerland. Bottom: Micheline Lannoy, Pierre Baugniet and others taking tea at the Richmond Sports-Drome. Photo courtesy "Skating World" magazine.

By the autumn of 1946, Micheline and Pierre were finally able to resume their trips to St. Moritz to practice with Monsieur Landot. At the very first post-War ISU Championship, the Europeans in Davos, they claimed the gold medal over British pair Winnie and Dennis Silverthorne. Another Belgian duo - Suzanne Diskeuve and Edmond Verbustel - took the bronze. It was the first and only time two Belgian pairs stood on the podium at a major ISU Championship.


At the 1947 World Championships in Stockholm, all but the American judge had Micheline and Pierre first. They made again history as the first (and to date only) Belgian pair to win a World title and became sporting heroes in their country. In his book "Dick Button On Skates", Dick Button told an amusing story about Pierre Baugniet's time in Scandinavia. He wrote, "In the restaurant at rinkside many competitors, tired but anxious to learn the results [of the men's figures] waited over a cup of strong coffee. One of them, Pierre Baugniet... had not competed that day. His energies were irrepressible while others sat around quietly. Failing to engage us in conversation, he tried to chat with a pretty waitress despite the fact that he spoke no Swedish. The language barrier, however, was a bagatelle to the polished Belgian and when someone whispered a Swedish phrase to him he repeated it: 'Jag älskar dig'. The waitress took one look at him, dumped the cream pastry she was serving upside down on his plate and huffed off. We roared to see the deflated Pierre's expression when he was informed he had told the girl, 'I love you.'" 

Top: Micheline Lannoy and Pierre Baugniet returning to Belgium after winning the 1947 World title. Bottom: Hans Gerschwiler and Pierre Baugniet at Pierre's family's villa on the Belgian Coast in 1947. Photo courtesy "Ice Skating" magazine.

After the 1947 World Championships, rumours swirled that Micheline and Pierre planned on breaking up because they hadn't been seen practicing together for some months. The truth of the matter was that Pierre had undergone an appendectomy. He recovered within months, graduated from the University of Brussels and was back training with Micheline by the late fall.

Top: Micheline Lannoy and Pierre Baugniet performing their program. Right: Pierre Baugniet, Charles Landot and Micheline Lannoy. Photo courtesy "Ice Skating" magazine.

History was made once again at the 1948 Winter Olympic Games when Micheline and Pierre won the pairs event. It was Belgium's first (and to date only) gold medal in any sport at the Winter Olympic Games... and they claimed it in a snowstorm after only weeks of practice time.


In a February 22, 1988 interview with a reporter from "The Whig Standard", Micheline recalled, "We were used to it. Actually, it helped me because I was nervous and when it started snowing somehow it calmed me down... You can imagine, it was quite different (from what skaters are doing today). We did some jumps, but we didn't do triples. Lots of things they do now we didn't do at the time. Otherwise, it was similar but not as difficult. We had two jumps and a one-and-a-half Axel. It was a lot at that time. At that time, we were doing the most. They had all the flags from all the countries, except ours. They played the anthem, but they didn't have the flag. They probably thought, 'Oh, that little country of Belgium.' Belgium is small and we didn't have the skaters. That's what helped us, I guess. We used to skate all morning and there would be only a few people on the ice. We didn't have clubs like you have now. We used to skate among the public skating, but in the morning there was no one there so we had the ice to ourselves." Following the Olympics, they had another runaway victory at the World Championships in Davos and then decided to retire from the sport, their goals having been achieved. Their successes didn't translate to a big Belgian skating boom. By 1955, the country only had one ice rink, located in Antwerp.


Pierre, who had earned his Bachelor of Arts shortly after winning his first World title, continued his education and earned his doctorate in law, then married Arlette Maloens. The couple divorced in the early seventies and he went on to work as an average adjuster at the Antwerp firm Martroye, Baugniet and Varlez.

Micheline made her professional debut with Tom Arnold's continental company, which toured Europe and South Africa. She later performed in the short-lived Olympia Ice Revue, directed by her stepfather, and Holiday On Ice. She also performed in one of Tom Arnold's ice pantomimes at the S.S. Brighton in England. As a professional, she was paired with James Macaulay, a Scottish skater who served as a paratrooper in the British Army during the War. The couple fell in love and married in Paris, before settling in Ayr.


On November 17, 1953, Micheline's fifty-one year mother - who was then working as a skating instructor - was murdered. An article from the "Spokane Daily Chronicle" noted, "Police sought a tall, thin man who was believed to have pushed Mrs. de Ridder from an international train before dawn yesterday after robbing her. The woman died without regaining consciousness. Hospital aides said she had suffered a skull fracture and internal injuries. The Kitzingen station master told police that as the train rolled slowly through the yards he saw a woman clinging to a window ledge while a man tried to pry her grip loose. Trainmen found Mrs. de Ridder alongside the tracks." The saddest thing about it all? Micheline was on her way to meet her mother at the time.


Micheline and her husband James emigrated to Canada in 1956 and had two children. She taught skating in Stratford, Ontario and Aylmer, Quebec in the fifties and Victoria and Nanaimo, British Columbia in the sixties. Pierre passed away in his mid-fifties in 1981, the same year as Micheline's stepfather. By this time, Micheline was coaching at the Kingston Figure Skating Club.


Micheline passed away on March 18, 2023, at the age of ninety-eight. Despite their successes, Micheline and Pierre have never been honoured with an induction into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. 

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on FacebookBlueskyPinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering one of six fascinating books highlighting the history of figure skating: https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.