2010 Figure Skating - Short Program - Women's Tickets

The women's figure skating short program doesn't give the competitors very long to make an impression on the judges.

Because it is the shorter of the figure skating programs, it also makes it more exciting, as every single move is important.

There is are certain guidelines for the type of moves that should be performed during the program, but there is some leeway.

For the ladies, they must complete the following: a double axel jump, a triple jump, a jump combination, a flying spin, a layback spin, a spin combination, a spiral sequence and a step sequence.

The performance is to last exactly two minutes and 50 seconds. If the program is shorter or longer than the time period allotted, points will be deducted from the skater's score.

The short program was first introduced to the sport in 1973, before which only the free skate existed.

The United States team had a decent showing in the 2006 Olympics, as Sasha Cohen came away with a silver medal.

The U.S. tends to do very well at the Olympics in this event, although China tends to rule the day.