<P> 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 . In 1980 , ISU president Jacques Favart stated that figures `` are a waste of time and they prevent ice skaters from being more creative '' . 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 . In the summer of 1997 , U.S. Figure Skating voted to end domestic competitions in figures after the 1997 -- 98 season . </P>
<P> 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 . In 1980 , ISU president Jacques Favart stated that figures `` are a waste of time and they prevent ice skaters from being more creative '' . 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 . In the summer of 1997 , U.S. Figure Skating voted to end domestic competitions in figures after the 1997 -- 98 season . </P>
when did they get rid of figures in figure skating
when did they get rid of figures in figure skating
1997
1997