Keltie Thomas

illustrated by Stephen MacEachern

One of the most popular Winter Olympic sports in the world, figure skating?s appeal lies in its combination of gymnastic grace, athletic accuracy, and creative expression ? all with a hint of drama! Both women and men, as singles and in pairs, have thrilled as competitors in this sport. Now their mysteries and histories are explored in the fifth installment of the highly successful How Sports Work series. How Figure Skating Works has facts, figures, and fun for everyone -- from the rookies of the rink all the way up to the triumphant triple lutzers. Unique insider information includes the science behind a figure skate?s special design, a catalogue of the most inventive (and strangest) moves, stories of Olympic judging and score-keeping, and the secrets behind some of the greatest partnerships and rivalries in skating. Plus, "Quick Answers to Speedy Questions" sidebars explain all things figure skating, "Legends on Ice" profiles introduce young fans to some of the most inspirational skaters in history, and the "Rules and Regs" section at the back of the book provides all the terms and need-to-know information to make every reader a master of figure skating basics.

Ages 8-12.