A competent skater herself, Maureen watches in horror as he puts on skates and ventures out on the ice with a partner. As he approaches the critical first turn, she prepares herself, as she puts it, to "identify the body".
A skilled skater like Maureen, watches in dismay as her partner gets into skates and ventures out onto the ice with a companion. As they approach the pivotal first turn, she mentally prepares herself, referring to it as having to "recognize the body".