The Washington herald., 1912-01-07

club. Herr UlEich Salchow, Of Stock
holm, who has Just won the championship
of the world for the tenth time; DR.. Gil
bert Fuchs, Of Munich; Herr Gustav
Hugel, Of Vienna: Henning Grenander,
of London; Herr Max Bohatsch, of vi
emma; Herr Panin, of st. Petersburg, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Edgar Syers, of London,
have all been heard from and are in sym
pathy with the plans. 1t is possible that
quite 4 coterie Of famous foreign skaters
may be seen here another winter.
Fancy dancing, which has been enjoy
ing such furore during the present win
ter among society folk, has been taken
up by the figure skating fraternity and
bids fair to be a distinct find IN the field
of sport. Jackson Haines himself was
famous dancer and many Of his move
ments were executed to dance music. The
best waltzer on skates in the world h
probably Miss Muriel Harrison, of the
Princes Rink, London, who has herself
originated several new waltz steps ac-
cepted by the experts.
As to skates, the best experts in the
world are now using almost the identical
model which jackson Haines introduced
into Europe fifty years ago. 1t should
be round toed-rhat is, the skate blade
| should be carried forward and eurled
over toward the toes. But it should not
touch the toes, nor should It be attached
to the front of the footplate. On this
forward curl there should be deep cor
rugations for toe spins and pirouettes.
The only skater Of prominence who does
not use this skate is Grenadier, the Eng
Iishman, and he has a style peculiar to
himself
The Correct Skate.
The skate should have but two stanch-
ions or uprights from blade to footplate.
The toeplate should never be fastened to
the shoe at its front edge, but at or back
Of the ball of the foot, allowing ample
freedom for the action of the toes. The
power of the stroke, or what might be
termed the thrust, should come from the
ball of the foot. These are the explana-
tions Of the undoubted easier and faster
running of the new skating equipment,
and they have been accepted everywhere.
Mr. Brokaw may be said TO have discov-
cred them. As to the width of the blade
of the skate there is some difference Of
opinion. the preference being for about
a quarter inch blade. The radius should
! be about nine feet, that is the curve Of
the blade, carried out, would make circle
nine feet in diameter. The skate de-
scribed is now being made in this coun-
try. 1t is appropriate after all these
years that We should be supplying the
world with the skate which revolution
lied skating.
The shoes for skating should be firmly
snug around the heel and allow ample
freedom for the movement of the toes
while lying firm over the instep. They
should curve in just above the back Of
the heel so as to fit the foot when the
leg is bent slightly at the knee. which
is the customary position for figure move
mentS. As to height, there is general
agreement that ten inches is about right,
since the free use of the muscles of the
calf and leg should not be interfered with
and the full strength of the heavy ankle
muscles should be available if needed
In the matter of clothing, freedom Is
the one essential. The foreign men skat-
ers all use the tight fitting jersey costume,
which is snug and yet elastic, but our
skaters feel bit too professional in such
a rig. Knickerbockers or riding breecheS
are desirable and a soft, black leather
Logging is regarded as more correct than
the heavy black pigskin puttee.
Interest in winter sports grows apace.
A few years ago winter outings to sum-
mer camps in the Adirondacks were re-
garded as tasks for the hardy explorer;
sands. Outdoor skating has not four
ished in Greater New York since the
Weather Bureau forgot to send old fash
ioned winter to the town. But on the
lakes Of the Adirondacks or the natural
rinks Of the North skating is at its bess
Special arrangements are announced NJ
the accommodation of the skating fra
ternity at Ardsley, the westchester Coun-
try Club. Tuxedo and the recently incor.
pOrated Saratoga Winter Club. Elabo-
rate carnivals are announced for the Lake
Placid Club and at the Fort William
Henry Hotel, Lake George, where ice
boating, trotting ON the ice and other un-
usual features will be introduced. Here.
close to Canada, may be expected much
of the favor of that winter loving land.
Many of the younger society element in
this city are booked for a winter outing
at this resort during January. Quebec,
as usual, bids for the winter lovers with
its customary rounds Of sports and ths
novelty Of opera thrown In