Seminar with Ben Ferreira

On Sept. 17, 2002, the Minto Skating Club had Ben Ferreira in a day of on-ice seminars and off-ice talks.

The seminars were for senior skaters, intermediate skaters and junior skaters.

Pictures from the seminar are at right, click on the picture for a larger version.

In the session for the seniors, Ben covered several advanced topics including a variety of spins with jump entrances (flying camel and others). After that he worked on jumps.

The first jump he concentrated on was the axel. He emphasized the entry skates skid on the entrance, showing too much skid and too little skid. He then did a double axel and showed the skates the tracing on the ice of the skate's tracings. When asked by a skater how long it took to perfect, his answer was simple - six years! He emphasized the aspects to perform a triple axel and then at the urging of the skaters he went out and demonstrated one!

Next he talked about backwards jumps such as the loop and lutz. He emphasized the importance of starting the rotation of the head last. He indicated that this was a key aspect to all backwards jumps. He then demonstrated the proper head movement while performing both a double and then a triple lutz!

For skaters seeing a skater actually talk about and then demonstrate tips in two of the most difficult jumps in figure skating really gives the skaters confidence to practice and incorporate the tips into their skating.

All throughout the day Ben had the full attention of the skaters and made the seminars a truly enjoyable experience.

Ben will be representing Canada in the following ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events, best of luck Ben.

• Bolfrost Cup on Ice, Germany November 7-10, 2002

• Trophee Lalique, France, November 14-17