Crystal Skate

Italians have a saying that goes something like this: "He that has patience, can have what he will." Carolina Kostner, Italy's greatest figure skater so far, would surely agree. After being the poster girl for two Olympic Games and failing to meet everyone's expectations, each time worse than the other, a weaker athlete would have not risked a third participation. But Carolina knew better; she had a dream and she was determined to make it reality. Dreaming of climbing the Olympic podium in figure skating felt natural for a child whose family was made half out of athletes, half out of artists. She started skating at the age of three and stepped on senior ice 13 years later. At the age of 14, she hired Michael Huth as her coach and began commuting between her hometown and Oberstdorf to work with him. Her potential shone through from very early on - she became the first Italian to win a medal (bronze) at the Junior World Championships. Carolina with Roberto Caval...

October 31, 2008: It's a few days before the start of the 2008 Cup of China and for Japanese superstar, Daisuke Takahashi, it's the day disaster strikes. He's just torn a ligament in his right leg, which will take him off the ice for the entire season. What's even worse is that this is the type of injury that might just abruptly end the career of one of the most promising skaters of the decade. Long before becoming a superstar, Daisuke began his life in the ice rink by choosing between hockey and figure skating. He became a senior skater at the age of 16, but couldn't cope with the pressure and didn't become Japan's National Champion until four seasons later. Phantom of the Opera Photograph: Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images Sport In 2005/2006, at the age of 19, he almost lost the National title, and the chance to participate at the Olympics, when it was accidentally given to Nobunari Oda due to a miscalculation. The error was corrected though and Daisu...

It is yet uncertain whether Meryl Davis and Charlie White are just taking a break or will indeed withdraw from competitive life, but either way, they have had a long career in figure skating which deserves a shout out. Meryl Davis and Charlie White have basically known each other all their lives. They grew up in the same neighborhood and their parents have always been best friends, so teaming up at the age of 10 felt natural. Their climb to the top of the sport's rankings was gradual, which makes their career together even more worthy of admiration. Polovetsian Dances Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Sport They appeared on both the national and international senior ice for the first time in 2006/2007 and immediately made themselves noticed when they were the only couple at the NHK Trophy to receive the highest levels for all their elements. Times were harder for skaters back then with three routines to prepare rather than two. Still, the old Compulsory Dance was h...

Saitama, March 2014: Just a couple of days after winning their fifth world title, Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy tell the press that they aren't retiring as previously planned, but splitting up. The decision comes as a shock to many fans as it means that they are unlikely to ever skate together again, not even in shows. It also means that we have to say goodbye to Robin Szolkowy, but not to his partner. First European title Photograph: Koici Kamoshida/Getty Images Sport Ukrainian-born Aliona Savchenko teamed up with German-born Robin Szolkowy in 2003, after they had both failed in achieving success with their former partners. They became German national champions that very season, giving Germany hope for international recognition in pair skating for the first time since 1998, when Mandy Wotzel won a Bronze Olympic medal with Ingo Steuer, Aliona and Robin's coach. Their first European medal, a silver, was won just two years later. But the real breakthrough ha...

Saitama, Japan, December 2013: A beautiful lady in a flowery dress lands a Triple Lutz in the roar of the crowd. This is her home country and she is loved here, but she's about to be even more famous and become everyone's sweetheart. The Lutz is only the first jump out of a perfect series that will eventually bring her the prize she's been looking for, for the last 14 years: the National title. Skating on music by Bill Whelan. Photograph: Jasper Juinen /Getti Images North America Akiko Suzuki became known worldwide years before being crowned Japan's national champion. She made her debut on a major international stage at the 2009 Cup of China, which she won. Immediately striking us as artistically brilliant, she skated the short on Andalucia  and Fire Dance  by Bill Whelan. She then went on to showcase her versatility by telling the story of modern-day Romeo and Juliet with West Side Story . This was the programme that would show us just how good she was at expre...

After each Olympic season, there is a handful of skaters who decide to withdraw from competitive life. As natural as the process is, for most athletes' careers in sport are limited, retirements always bring nostalgia and even tears with them. And yet, they are also a chance to look back on the amazing journeys some of our favourite skaters have had. BRIAN JOUBERT Budapest Sports Arena, February 2004: A 19 year-old boy wearing a black latex costume is waiting for his music to start. You don't need to hear it to know what his programme is going to be about - the green numbers dripping down from his left shoulder give it away. This is the story of The Matrix , a remarkable piece of cinema, whose last chapter was released less than four months ago. What most people, including the skater himself, don't know is that in just five minutes, he'll make history and become a superstar. Skating in Budapest, 2004. Photograph: Getty Images That night in Budapest, Brian Joube...

After four impeccable performances, Mao Asada, Carolina Kostner and Julia Lipnitskaia are a stone's throw away from each other. It will take an absolutely flawless performance to win this gold medal. Nyah  by Hans Zimmer is quite a happy song to skate to and Valentina Marchei  enjoys every moment. She's elegant, charismatic and knows just how to dance to a guitar. There is no real mistake here. Her score: 107.37 . Overall: 157.64 . Anne Line-Gjersem  chose a very difficult part of the West Side Story  soundtrack and it hurts her. There's no trace of the romance in there and she's not really following the rise and fall of the music. Technically, her only mistake is the fall on the Triple Loop. Not a big fan of the costume! She gets 80.55  points. Overall: 130.03 . La Bayadere  is a beautiful song and Natalia Popova 's pleasant style can only improve it. Unfortunately, the technical errors bring the interpretation down. She falls on two jumps and double...