Scantily clad skaters brave cold at Union Square Polar Bear Skate

Skaters in bright blue swim trunks, fuchsia tutus and cargo pants — and little else — cavorted on the ice despite 51-degree temperatures at the annual Polar Bear Skate in San Francisco’s Union Square on New Year’s Day.

The competitors donned their scant apparel and pirouetted, twirled and whirled at the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink, vying for prizes based on theme, originality and overall appearance. The uniquely Bay Area competition, sponsored by Safeway, is a takeoff on Polar Bear plunges and encourages skaters to compete in beachwear.