Sport on Ice: Does hockey or figure skating reign supreme?

The popular ice sports of hockey and figure skating are finally getting the comparison they deserve as we dive deep into the specfics of the sports.

multiple writers
5th December 2023
Image: The Courier
Winter is a pretty grim time of year. The sun sets early, temperatures plummet, and uni work piles up, but there is one solace: winter sport. Whether you're a fan of slalom, ski jump, curling, or bobsled, there is a veritable plethora of sport to keep you entertained when the weather gets too grim to go out. The resurfacing of winter sport, however, always brings back a famous debate: is ice hockey or figure skating more watchable? Two of our writers have their say.

Ice Hockey, by Nathan Dove

The sport of Ice Hockey has captured the hearts of millions across the globe. However, before becoming the premier sport for snow-capped nations such as Canada and Russia, the sport actually originated on this very island, with the earliest known games of Ice Hockey being played on the frozen lakes of Scotland in the 18th Century. Ice Hockey’s evolution into the global phenomenon it is today begs the question: what makes this bizarre sport so beloved by so many?

At its core, Ice Hockey is the fastest team sport in the world, featuring players racing on razor blades and fiercely battling to propel a vulcanized rubber puck into the opponent's net. The high-speed clashes and strategic gameplay make it an unparalleled spectacle which has attracted fans for many reasons.

One of the reasons is the sport’s dazzling displays of skill. From graceful skating manoeuvres that are the envy of Torville and Dean, to slapshots that surpass speeds cricket balls could only dream of, the sport is a showcase of athletic prowess.

Away from the skilful side, Ice Hockey is also renowned for its spectacular shows of sporting aggression. Whether its two players smashing into each other at speeds of up to 30mph, or the legal bare-knuckle brawls which breakout between team’s enforcers, the players often show immense respect for one another, highlighting the unique brand of camaraderie in the sport.

This communal spirit isn’t just exclusive to the on-ice action however, the unique culture of the sport creates a loving and supportive community. This was exemplified this past month when the Ice Hockey world came together to mourn the tragic death of Adam Johnson, highlighting the genuine care and compassion within the sport.

Ice Hockey's blend of speed, aggression, skill, and a tight-knit community cements its status as one of the most thrilling sports in the world, and whilst fans of the sport may have their differences, one thing that all agree on is that Ice Hockey is far better than its winter sport competition of ‘Glorified Ice Dancing’…

Figure Skating, by Jess McKeown

Is there a sport more mesmerising to watch than figure skating? The first winter sport to feature in the Olympics, figure skating is often forgotten about as a sport amidst the popularity of Dancing On Ice. Graceful, physically demanding and dangerous, figure skating is the most impressive and best ice sport.

Though there is also speed-skating which involves doing laps around a rink at high speeds, figure skating is the most well-known branch of skating at a professional level. Having recreated a scene from Bambi when I tried learning how to ice skate, it is all the more impressive that figure skaters dance on the ice whether it is solo, with a partner or as part of a synchronised group.

Like most winter sports, figure skating has had it's share of accidents from concussions to skaters getting slashed by another skater's skate. Following the tragedy that has recently befallen ice hockey player Adam Johnson, the danger of skates is even more glaringly obvious. Whilst ice hockey associations have begun to introduce a mandatory neck guard mandate from next year, it makes you appreciate how precise skaters have to be to avoid injuring themselves or others.

With the ISU Grand Prix 2023 ongoing, there has been some stunning performances. In the women's free skating, American skater Amber Glenn, who has previously achieved a triple axel, did a performance to 'Exogenesis Symphony Part 3: Redemption' by Muse showing the level of physical strength and precision that goes into the choreography of these routines. I hope that more people consider watching or going into figure skating as it is a beautiful sport.

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