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[What
to Expect] [Types
of Comps] [Typical
Events] [Checklist]
[Gold
Medal] [How
to Interp Scores] [Sample
Scores] [Combining
SP/FS] [Judges]
Types
of Competitions
US Competitions - Qualifying vs. Non-Qualifying
In
the USFSA competition structure for eligible (amateur) skaters, there are 2
categories of
competition.
Most of the competitions that you will enter throughout the year are called
"non-qualifying" or "local" competitions.
"Qualifying" competitions include Regionals and Sectionals which are
considered to be the qualifying events or "elimination rounds"
preliminary to US National competition.
Non-Qualifying Competitions
The
local competition is the mainstay of amateur figure skating competitions. Every
year, hundreds of non-qualifying competitions are held at USFSA-affiliated clubs
throughout the nation. These competitions are created, planned, and implemented
solely through the work of the club members in the sponsoring clubs. These
events do not lead directly to any National or World competition, but do provide
skaters the opportunity for experience in the competitive environment, the
chance to earn medals and ribbons, and the opportunity to preview the work of
skaters in other clubs.
Local
competitions are judged by USFSA appointed judges, using the same standards as
they would for Qualifying competitions. Local competitions, however, have the
opportunity to "make their own rules" when they see fit, and create
unique new events, or variations of standard events. They may relax
qualification rules if desired to permit skaters the opportunity for growth
experiences. For all local competitions, the Club's Competition Announcement
should be considered the "rulebook" for the competition.
Oftentimes,
age restrictions will be relaxed in local competitions. Frequently, skaters will
be permitted to skate "one level up" from their current test level
(for instance, this means that a Juvenile skater would be permitted to skate in
an Intermediate event). And most frequently, events will be available which are
not part of the standard rulebook (see Typical Competition Events for some examples).
Qualifying Competitions
Qualifying
Competition is the broad label which refers to all those competitions which lead
to US National and World competitions. These competitions start at the Regional
level. Successful competitors from Regional competition advance to Sectional
level competition, and then to US Nationals or Junior Olympic competition (see
the page on Competitive Qualification Requirements for details on who may
advance from each level).
Qualifying
competitions follow the Rulebook format for events and all age and test-level
qualification.
See Qualifying Competition
Progression for a graphic depicting the relationship of these competitions)
Regionals
There
are 9 Regions in the US, each of which holds an annual Regional competition (see
the page on Regions & Sections for information on the geographic areas
covered by each region). The location for the Regional competition within each
region is established by the USFSA each year on the basis of applications by
potential sponsoring clubs, and is usually known about a year in advance.
Regional competitions are generally held in early October, and the application
deadline is Sept 1.
According
to the Rulebook, Regionals competition will hold events at levels ranging from
Juvenile to Senior. Organizers are permitted to hold additional events if time
permits however and often PreJuvenile and other non-qualifying events will be
included.
There
is no requirement other than test level (and, for some levels, age) for entering
into Regional competition. Any eligible USFSA skater of the appropriate test
level may enter his or her region's Regional Competition.
If
you choose to enter, you will find that the Application form will probably be
the longest one you have ever filled out. You may be required to furnish proof
of age (birth certificate) and test level.
You
will probably be requested to provide a black-and-white photo. Be aware also,
that those competitors who place well enough to qualify for advancement to
Sectionals will probably be expected to sign up and pay on-the-spot.
Sectionals
There are 3 Sections in the US, each of which holds an annual Sectional
competition (see the page on Regions & Sections for information on the
geographic areas covered by each section). The location for the Sectional
competition within each section is established by the USFSA each year on the
basis of applications by potential sponsoring clubs, and is usually known about
a year in advance.
Sectional
Competition is the second rung on the road to Nationals; skaters qualify to
skate in Sectionals based upon performance at Regionals.
Sectional
competitions are generally held in late November or early December.
United
States Figure Skating Championships (US Nationals)
US Nationals is held annually in a city whose location is established by the
USFSA each year on the basis of applications by potential sponsoring clubs. The
location is generally known about 2-3 years in advance, and always rotates
between sections. The table below
shows a few cycles of rotation:
|
Pacific Coast
|
Midwest Section
|
Eastern Section
|
|
93 / Phoenix AZ
|
94 / Detroit MI
|
95 / Providence RI
|
|
96 / San Jose CA
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97 / Nashville TN
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98 / Philadelphia
PA
|
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99 / Salt Lake City UT
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00 / Cleveland OH
|
01 / Boston MA
|
|
02 / Los Angeles CA
|
03/ Dallas TX
|
04
/ Atlanta GA
|
US
Nationals holds events for Novice, Junior, and Senior level skaters.
US
Junior National Championships (CR 70)
The Junior Nationals is the national level competition for skaters at the
Juvenile and Intermediate levels. Qualification for Junior Nationals is through
Regional performance. Junior Nationals is generally held in December of each
year.
Other Nationally-Scoped Competitions
US
Adult Figure Skating Championships (Adult Nationals) (CR 100)
The
US Adult Figure Skating Championships is the National level competition for
adult (age 25 and over) skaters. At present, there is no requirement for
Regional or Sectional qualification to enter the US Adult Nationals at most
levels, although some higher-level events do require qualification.
Like
US Nationals and Junior Nationals, Adult Nationals has begun to rotate from
section to section annually.
National
Collegiate Championships (CR 80)
Each August at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, college students gather for a
skating competition called the "National Collegiate Championships".
This competition is open to all USFSA members who are enrolled in a
college degree program. Junior and Senior level events are offered in singles
Freeskating, Pairs, Dance, and Figures. No Regional or Sectional qualification
is required for entry to this competition.
Note that the element requirements are slightly relaxed for the singles
short program (see CR 83.00 or each year's competition announcement for
details).
To
qualify as a college student for this competition, singles skaters must be
enrolled full-time in a college or university degree program, or have graduated
from such a program the previous academic year, or be currently admitted for the
coming academic year. Pairs skaters
must meet the same criteria, except that "half-time" enrollment is
acceptable.
Focus-Area
Competitions
High School Competitions
To
help provide for recognition of skaters as athletes within their schools, the
USFSA has recently begun promoting the development of High School competition
series. Several states now have
very active high school skating programs. Skaters
from both USFSA and ISI clubs are now permitted to skate as representatives of
their schools in these competitions. Generally,
the competitions include “team events” with compulsory elements skated by
various team members as well as individual events in which the skaters
accumulate points for their teams. Many
skaters find that the team spirit and fellowship fostered by these competitions
is very fun and rewarding. Many
schools reward skaters with varsity status in recognition of their
participation.
College Competitions
Similarly, there is a growing movement towards collegiate skating programs.
There are currently more than 25 colleges in the US which support active
skating clubs; many of these have elevated the sport to varsity status within
the school. In the 2000-2001 season
there will be at least 8 local competitions for intercollegiate skating.
Basic
Skills Competitions
Basic Skills competitions are frequently held at clubs throughout the country.
These competitions enjoy a relaxed rules structure, described in CR
90.00. Basic Skills competitions
are available to both USFSA members and non-members.
These competitions hold events at various levels, equivalent to those
specified in the Basic Skills training curriculum (see "Events for Basic
Skills Competitions" elsewhere in this booklet).
Judges
for Basic Skills competitions may be officially-appointed USFSA judges, or may
be other eligible persons (i.e. Instructors) approved by the sponsoring club or
organization (note: occasionally Basic Skills competitions include events for
Pre-Preliminary or Preliminary tested skaters - if this is the case, these
events are judged by official USFSA judges).
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