Figure Skating Superstitions

[AgnesNitt]

I was looking at theatrical superstitions--and there are a bunch--and I got to wondering if there are any for Figure Skating. I'm not talking about personal superstitions, but those that may belong to a rink or a show or just skating in general.

[alejeather]

Well, I think in general, similar to stage, where a bad dress rehearsal is said to mean it will be a good show, a bad warm-up is sometimes thought of as a good thing. As is having a week where everything falls apart before the competition. I don't know of any others.

[davincisop]

I'd agree with Alejeather. I fell and hit my knee pretty hard just before my comp two years ago and I ended up placing first lol.

I don't think break a leg translates to skating. Everyone I know always says good luck.

I want to know of any you guys find though!

[slcbelle]

Being superstitious...I don't want to know!   

[sarahonice]

Oh god, I don't want to know either! I don't know about popular figure skating superstitions, but whenever I catch myself falling into a personal one I deliberately try to counter it. For instance I noticed that whenever I had a bad fall I was wearing my glove with the tag on the right hand, which got me paranoid about always wearing the tag on the left instead. So I cut off the tag so I wouldn't know. I've read about skaters always putting on the left (or right) skate first, and have since made sure to do it both ways!

[Icicle]

Oh god, I don't want to know either! I don't know about popular figure skating superstitions, but whenever I catch myself falling into a personal one I deliberately try to counter it. For instance I noticed that whenever I had a bad fall I was wearing my glove with the tag on the right hand, which got me paranoid about always wearing the tag on the left instead. So I cut off the tag so I wouldn't know. I've read about skaters always putting on the left (or right) skate first, and have since made sure to do it both ways!

I always put on my left skate first. I don't know why, it just feels right. I'm not sure it's a superstition though.

[fsk8r]

If you're wanting to avoid a fall at competition, it's best to sit on the ice during practice, gets it out of the system.
I favour lunges for this and make sure I get a knee on the ice. Although my coach used to make her whole synchro team sit down before getting off at official practice.

[alejeather]

Oh, I also saw someone once drag one foot behind her while taking the ice at a competition. I thought it was a bad T-stop, but then she bent down, and picked up the snow in her hand. I think she tossed it in the air, but maybe she just let it melt in her hand. I can't remember. Anyway, my coach recognized it as a good luck thing, but I've never seen anyone else do it.

[karne]

Allegedly green is a bogey colour at Championship events.

[AgnesNitt]

I was listening to MAnleywoman Skatecast for Carol Heiss Jenkins, and apparently all the top coaches have a superstition about where they stand at the boards when they watch their skaters compete (or practice at a comp). If the skater does well they stay in that position at the boards, if the skater does poorly they have to move .

[karne]

I was listening to MAnleywoman Skatecast for Carol Heiss Jenkins, and apparently all the top coaches have a superstition about where they stand at the boards when they watch their skaters compete (or practice at a comp). If the skater does well they stay in that position at the boards, if the skater does poorly they have to move .

Now, who was I reading about where the coach/support person was standing in their special place, and a photographer stood in front of them, and neither would move, so the coach/support person didn't actually see the performance...? One of the men, I think, but I'll be jiggered if I can remember who or where.