Figure Skating - Competitors' Expenses, Income, and Funding

Competitors' Expenses, Income, and Funding

Figure skating is an expensive sport. This is particularly due to the costs of ice time and coaching. In October 2004, a U.S. Figure Skating article estimated the annual expense at $9,000-$10,000 for pre-juvenile, $18,000 for juvenile, $35,000-$40,000 for novice, and said junior and senior levels were somewhat more expensive. Michael Weiss said his family faced combined costs of around $70,000 every year for him and his sister (a junior skater). Swiss skater Stéphane Lambiel said his costs were around 100,000 Swiss francs per season. In 2011, it was reported that American Alissa Czisny's expenses were in the mid-five-figure range, while World champion Patrick Chan's expenses were $150,000 (Canadian dollars).

Prize money is relatively low compared to other sports. A men's or ladies' singles skater who won the 2011 World Championships earned $45,000 (USD), about 1.8% to 2.5% of the $1,800,000-$2,400,000 USD for winners of the tennis US Open and Australian Open. A couple who won the pairs or ice dancing title split $67,500. A winner of the senior Grand Prix Final in December 2011 earned $25,000 USD. Some national associations provide funding to some skaters. Many skaters take part-time jobs. In Germany, many elite skaters choose to join the army to fund their skating. In Italy, some skaters join sports group of police agencies, such as the Polizia Penitenziaria's Fiamme Azzurre (Carolina Kostner, Anna Cappellini, Luca Lanotte) or Polizia di Stato's Fiamme Oro (Federica Faiella, Paolo Bacchini). Some competitive skaters depend on income from shows. Certain shows are unsanctioned, i.e. skaters may lose their competitive eligibility if they take part. In some cases, skaters may feel pressure to compete through injury in order to be allowed to perform in a show.