when did they get rid of figures in figure skating
Compulsory figures Opponents of figures said they held back talented skaters such as Janet Lynn and Midori Ito, while supporters said they instilled discipline and produced higher quality of basic skating technique.[2][6] In 1980, ISU president Jacques Favart stated that figures "are a waste of time and they prevent ice skaters from being more creative".[4] With less coaching and ice time required, Hugh Graham, president of U.S. Figure Skating, estimated that skaters' expenses would be reduced by at least 50% after abolition.[5] In the summer of 1997, U.S. Figure Skating voted to end domestic competitions in figures after the 1997â€“98 season.[2]