Tango Romantica

A soft, lyrical tango on deep edges, opening with the Helicopter double three and full of hold changes, cross rolls, rockers and twizzles for both partners.

Not checked yet. The mechanics on this page are a first draft by a non-expert, and no coach has seen them yet. Read them as a starting point and check them with a coach. Corrections are very welcome.

The dance

Tango in 4/4, 112 beats a minute. The hold is closed, then outside from step 11, Kilian and reversed Kilian from step 15, closed from step 26, open from step 33, with further changes to the end. The partners skate different steps. 57 steps and 96 beats to one pattern.

The steps are in the rulebook's own notation: foot, direction and edge, with Pr for a progressive, Ch for a chassé, SwR for a swing roll, XB and XF for a cross step behind or in front, 3 for a three turn, CSt and SSt for C and S steps, Op for open and Cl for closed. From the step chart in US Figure Skating's 2026-27 rulebook.

Tango Romantica is a soft, lyrical tango, though US Figure Skating still asks for deep edges to carry its mood. It opens with the “Helicopter”, a double three-turn for both partners with the free leg lifted to the side, and moves through closed, outside, Kilian, reversed Kilian and open holds.

The rulebook singles out the lead partner’s twizzle-like swing on Step 5, timed with the follow partner’s open S step, and the matching crossed rockers on Step 22. On Steps 28 and 29 comes the “criss-cross”, where the follow partner uses cross rolls to change sides and the pair finish close together on two feet. Late in the pattern the follow partner turns a rocker and a three against the lead partner’s swing closed S step.

Tango Romantica is not on the British Ice Skating pattern dance lists. US Figure Skating tests it at International level.

Appears in

No test syllabus recorded yet.