Combined figures have been defined as "symmetrical execution of a figure by one or more pairs of skaters." Originally known as the "skating club figures," they have been gradually developed, and in 1882 a regular terminology was established, successively revised and extended by delegates from the principal clubs in 1891, 1903 and 1922. The ideal number of skaters for a combined figure is four, though sixes and eights are seen, one being chosen "caller" of the movement to be skated. Various sets of "calls" are ar ranged at the discretion of different clubs, and consist ordinarily of "turns" aid "changes." The N.S.A. offer a challenge shield for an annual competition in combined figure skating, and a challenge cup was instituted in 1924 by the Bear S.C., won in 1928 by the Wimbledon S.C. In 1905 there was instituted a hand-in-hand competition for gentlemen and ladies, the winners of which hold a pair of salvers presented by Viscount Doneraile, president of the N.S.A. The winners the first two years this was held were A. J. Davidson and Miss D. R. Jameson, and in 1927, H. Whitehurst and Miss K. Lovett.
Though English style skating has flourished amazingly in recent years, the development of the international style in England and abroad since the beginning of the 20th century has been no less striking. In 1901 the Figure Skating club was established, as already stated, for this purpose, and its members attained such success that an English lady, Mrs. Syers, gained the second place in the world's championship competition in 1902, and with her husband won an international pair skating contest in that year, and again in 1904; and in 1906 and 1907, the first two years of its institution, she won the ladies' amateur championship of the world, or as it was styled previously to 1924, of the International Skating Union. The only English pair which has won the pair skating championship of the world (previously to 1924 styled the pair skating championship of the I.S.U.) is Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Johnson, also of the F.S.C., who were successful in 1909 at Stock holm and in 1912 at Manchester. This pair presented a trophy known as the Johnson challenge cup for a British pair skating championship in the international style, instituted by the N.S.A. in 1913, and won by themselves the first year, 1914, in 1921-22 by Major and Mrs. K. M. Beaumont, and from 1923-28 inclusive by J. F. Page and Miss E. Muckelt. The Swedish challenge cup, presented to the N.S.A. in 1902 by Col. Balck, president of the I.S.U., in the name of the Stockholm Allmanna Skridskoklub, was won by Mrs. Syers, in 1903 and 1904. In 1905 this was
constituted the championship of Great Britain in the international style and was won by two other ladies, Mrs. Greenhough Smith in 1908 and 1911, and Mrs. Johnson in 1921. From 1922-28, inclusive, the holder was J. F. Page, who was fourth in the world's championship at Manchester in 1924, and third in 1925 to Herren Bock! and Dr. Preissecker, of Vienna, in Berlin, in an entry of nine, the greatest success that an English figure skater has ever attained. In 1927 the first competition for the challenge cup presented by H. M. Martineau for the championship of Great Britain in the international style for ladies was won by Miss K. Shaw (Manchester S.C.). In 1928 this was won by Miss C. Wil son (Toronto Skating Club), lady champion of Canada.
The world's figure skating championship was won in 1896 by G. Fuchs, Austria; 1897, G. Hiigel, Austria; 1898, H. Grenander, Sweden; 1899 and 190o, G. Hiigel, Austria; 1901-11 (inclusive, with the exception of 1906, when Dr. Fuchs was again the winner), U. Salchow, Sweden ; 1912-13 and 1923, F. Kachler, Austria ; 1914, G. Sandahl, Sweden; 1922 and 1924, G. Grafstrom, Sweden; 1925-27, W. Bockl, Austria; Karl Schaefer of Vienna has held the title since 1930.
The competition consists of two parts, (a) compulsory figures (Pflichtiibungen), (b) free skating (Kiirlaufen), the latter afford ing scope for the performance of dance steps and brilliant indi vidual figures, such as the "sitting pirouette," the spread-eagle (Mond), and the "star" consisting of four crosses (forward rocker, back loop, back counter), invented by Engelmann and splendidly rendered by Salchow.
The skates used for the English and international styles are shorter than those used for speed-skating, and differ in radius, though both are of the same type, i.e., a blade fastened to the boot by sole-plates, the "Mount Charles" pattern being the one generally adopted by Englishmen. The English radius is 7ft., or in modern times more usually 6ft.; the foreign, 51 or even 5f t., and the result is seen in the larger curves skated on the former. and the greater pace obtained owing to decreased friction; at the same time, the difficulty of making a turn is greater. The English skate has generally right-angled edges and blade of the same thickness throughout, except in the "Dowler" variety, which is thicker towards the extremities. The foreign skate is some times thicker in the middle than at the ends.