Figure skating got younger after the 1990 season.

That's when the rules changed to eliminate the compulsories, those intricate figure-eight and reverse tracings done in front of a circle of scrutinizing judges.

FROM THEN ON, EXPERIENCE MATTERED less and the higher-jumping youngsters took over. No longer was it necessary for them to spend years training on the drills -- and judges had fewer subjective points to award to certain veteran skaters, thereby shaping the final results.

Nicole Bobek, 20, is battling younger competitors for a spot on Team USA. (Allsport)

It means the higher and tighter the jumps, the better, especially for the ladies. Smaller skaters with a lower center of gravity have a distinct advantage. A more mature skater likely has less jumping ability due to his or her growing body size.

The numbers bear it out: In 1996, Michelle Kwan became world champion at age 15. She lost the title last year to Tara Lipinski, 14, who became the youngest-ever World Champion.

THERE COULD BE A RETURN TO ARTISTRY at Nagano, as judges may start to favor the veteran skaters with more polished movements and expression over the younger competitors with higher jumps but little feeling.

There are four Olympic events:

Men's singles: A short program with eight mandatory jump elements and spins, and a free skating program in which skaters perform to the music of their choice. Short programs last 2 minutes and 40 seconds; long programs last 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

Ladies' singles: Similar to men's singles, with a short program and a free skate.

Pairs: Men and women perform in harmony as they are judged for overhead lifts, throws, and simultaneous spins. Again, there is a short program and a free skate.

Ice dancing: This is similar to ballroom dancing, and skaters are judged on keeping their intricate steps in time with the music. They are judged on an original dance and a free dance. Also, ice dancing is the only figure-skating event that still requires skaters to perform compulsory drills.

Points are awarded for composition, presentation, and artistic and technical merit.

A maximum of 30 ladies, 30 men, 20 pairs and 24 dance teams will compete in Nagano. A country gets to send athletes based on scoring from the 1997 World Championships.

For example, the U.S. will be able to send three ladies skaters, and there's little doubt the first two will be Kwan and Lipinski. Nicole Bobek, 20, is among those fighting for the third slot.

More on the sport

Blade runners: Figure skate blades have a notched toe and are curved more than hockey skates to allow for easier turns and spins.

Overdoing it: Judges deduct points for programs with too few or too many jumps.

Time lapse: Skaters must finish within 10 seconds before or after the allotted time. They may finish in less time if they have completed all the mandatory moves, but they cannot win points for second attempts at failed moves.

Three centuries: The sport's roots are traced to the aristocracy of 17th century Holland.