They would skate in the moonlight at night, or bring candles to set
on the ice, and would skate around them like faeries in the forest.
All in all, it was some of the most beautiful skating of all time--
and anyone today would undoubtedly consider themselves blessed if a
chance to see anything like it came along. This was simply a group
of artistic persons, freed from the pressures of society, presented
with an extraordinary opportunity in their chosen field. . .skating
more for themselves than for each other. . .more as team than as in
a competition. . .just them. . .mostly for themselves. . .and a few
friends who might come to tend the lights and ice, bring food. . .a
group of friends. . .doing what they like to do best. . .alone.
And as they grew apart from the rest of the now crowded arenas, the
friends felt less pressure not to make mistakes, a more comfortable
atmosphere in general, so they tried more and more things they were
less likely to try in front of everyone, and, thus, yet another one
of the great leaps in skating began.
With this kind of unrestricted opportunity the skaters blossomed in
all directions, inventing new leaps, jumps, spins and positions, in
ways they only the truly artistically expressive can do.
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