Olympic figure skaters will perform for a matter of mere minutes at February¡¯s Milano Cortina Games, but the process of creating and honing their routines takes months of consideration and effort.

The concept, moves and music of a program can make or break skaters¡¯ dreams of Olympic glory, and what is right for one can be a disaster for another.

¡°You have to choose what suits your strengths best, because that will inevitably score well with the judges,¡± Canadian pairs skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek said during last week¡¯s Grand Prix Final in Nagoya.