Short dance

The short dance (SD) is the first segment in an ice dancing competition. Approved by the June 2010 congress of the International Skating Union, it was introduced in the 2010–11 figure skating season. It merges the original dance (OD) and compulsory dance (CD), which were both discontinued.

The short dance merges the set pattern of a compulsory dance (renamed at the same time of this ruling to the pattern dance), and the previous rules of the original dance, i.e. requiring a set rhythm but allowing choreographic freedom within the constraints of required elements. In addition to skating two patterns, dancers also must include a step sequence, a set of twizzles, and a lift. Competitors are allowed to choose their own music, so long as it fits the required rhythm/theme.

With this change, ice dancing was shortened to two segments per competition: the short dance and the free dance. This mirrored the short program and free skating segments of single skating and pair skating.

Limited spectator interest in compulsory dances resulted in pressure from the International Olympic Committee to eliminate the compulsories so that the ice dancing competition would consist of two segments, like the other three skating disciplines. However, many in the ice dancing community were opposed to completely eliminating them, seeing them as an essential technical basis and point of comparison, so the short dance was created as a compromise.

The first short dance in international competition was skated by American junior ice dancers Anastasia Cannuscio and Colin McManus, at the 2010 Junior Grand Prix Courchevel.

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