Indeed they do, Azlan. Ballet is mandatory for all elite skaters in Russia. No, most elite skaters in the West do not take ballet. Perhaps that is the secret behind Russian pairs & ice dancers being consistently at the top? Interestingly, the only U.S. ice dancers who have had recent success in international competitions are those who are coached by Russians-in-exile, e.g., Igor Schpielband's ice dancers in Detroit. Schpielband makes his skaters take ballet every day! Current World Junior champs, Jamie Silverstein & Justin Pekarek (ages 15 & 17, respectively), are from that Detroit school & will most likely earn an Olympic title in the future.
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