Figure Skating For Dummies

by Kristi Yamaguchi, Kristi Yamaguchi

This Dummies title on figure skating is aimed at fans of all ages and covers men's, women's and pairs, as well as ice dancing - from jumps and lifts to judging and scoring. Complete with tips and advice for aspiring skaters on how to get into the sport and filled with action-orientated pictures of Kristi demonstrating, step by step, the elements of a skating routine.

Genres: Sports, Figure Skating

346 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 1997

About the author

Athlete, artist, wife, mother, philanthropist; in each of these things Kristi Yamaguchi embodies the word champion. Her motto is Always Dream, and Kristi's accomplishments prove that dreams can come true with hard work and dedication. Her new book, Dream Big, Little Pig, is an extension of her philosophy, and of Kristi herself."

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book way back in 1998 when I started learn to skate. As an adult skater, my progress has been at a snail's pace, but since I am working seriously on an axel, I thought I would revisit to see if she had any tips for me to use on ice and off.

The problem with instructional books on ice skating is that it is easier to do than read. The black and white pictures of Kristi demonstrating jumps and spins did nothing to really help as an axel is a work in motion, not 3 pictures. And since she was wearing all black for the shoot, it's hard to tell if her legs were right over left and vice versa.

I still give it a good rating as it is/was a great "for Dummies" title for someone new to the sport. It is unfortunately very dated, since the 6.0 system has been abolished, and the up and coming skaters she mentions have long since retired, although she does mention Plushenko, who I think she described as "baby-faced." Ah, memories.

The chapters that I came back to and read with great interest were about ice dancing, as I am contemplating getting an appointment as a trial judge. That her book and the intro to ice dancing can still be a valuable reference to me 12+ years after publication is worth a few extra stars.

[Pete]

I haven't really read it but come on, how genius is that!