WESTMINSTER WALTZ

The Westminster Waltz is characterized by stately carriage and elegance of line. It should be skated with strong edges and a softly flowing knee action. An upright stance without breaking at the waist is essential to its stately character.

The dance is commenced in Kilian hold that changes to Reversed Kilian hold between Steps 5 and 6. Steps 1 to 3 form a progressive sequence. Step 3, however, changes to an inside edge after two beats so that Step 4 may be directed with a lilt and quick body weight change toward the center. Steps 5 and 6 form an inside open mohawk. At the start, the man is on the lady’s left but, during the turn, both rotate individually, thus the man exits from the mohawk on the lady’s right. Step 7 should be highlighted by strong edges and good carriage. Step 8 should aim toward the side of the ice surface, and Step 9 should continue around the lobe.

On Step 10, which starts as a cross roll for both partners, the lady turns her three in front of her partner. After the turn, the partners join in closed hold, then almost immediately change to open hold for Steps 11 and 12, which are cross behind chassés skated on a curve. Step 13 for the lady is an inside forward swing rocker where the swing is held for six beats before the turn on count one of the second measure. Step 13 for the man is an outside forward swing counter with the same timing. At the moment of turning, the partners must be in hip-to-hip position. Step 14 must be taken from the side of the preceding foot.

On Step 15 the man follows the lady’s tracing as she turns an inside three on count four. Steps 16 to 20 are skated in closed hold. Step 16 is a cross roll for both partners. Step 17 has a very moderate progressive movement, and afterward both partners step wide for the start of Step 18. Step 20 begins as a cross roll for both partners.

On count three of Step 21, the lady turns a three aiming for the man’s left shoulder. On count four, she steps onto a left backward outside edge and extends her right hand across to her partner’s right hand to assume Reversed Kilian hold. On Step 22, the man assists his partner in shifting across in front of him into Kilian hold in preparation for the restart of the dance. Care must be taken in swinging the free legs on Step 22 during the RFO so as not to interfere with the transition of hold. A one-beat change of edge onto a RFI is skated at the end of Step 22 to assist in changing the lean for the restart of the dance.

MUSIC RHYTHM: Waltz 3/4
TEMPO: 54 three-beat measures per minute; 162 beats per minute
ISU MUSIC INTRODUCTION: 48 beats, 17.8 seconds
PATTERN-TIMING: 1 = :29; 2 = :58; 3 = 1:27; 4 = 1:56
DURATION: Test 2 = :58 Solo after partnering 2 = :58 Competition 2 = :58 Adult Competition 2 = :58
SKATER’S CHOICE TIMING: See Skater’s Choice Pattern Dance Timing Chart on usfgureskating.org under the “Technical Info” link
PATTERN: Optional
TEST: Gold

INVENTORS: Eric van der Weyden and Eva Keats
FIRST PERFORMED: Westminster Ice Rink, London, England, 1938

WESTMINSTER WALTZ-MAN — OPTIONAL PATTERN DANCE

WESTMINSTER WALTZ-LADY — OPTIONAL PATTERN DANCE