Pilot National Solo Dance Championships...

[Mathman]

...to Be Held Sept. 26-27 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=43067

I just noticed this on the USFSA site. This could be cool. Does anyone know any more about it?

[Sylvia]

Does anyone know any more about it?

The competition announcement is published and can be found at: http://www.usfigureskating.org/event...s.asp?id=43065

It will be held in conjunction with the Pikes Peak Classic for Pairs and Dance non-qualifying competition, now in its second year: http://www.broadmoorsc.com/Default.a...rpairsanddance

[mskater93]

...to Be Held Sept. 26-27 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=43067

I just noticed this on the USFSA site. This could be cool. Does anyone know any more about it?

It's the innaugural event for the discipline. It seems to be another of US Figure Skating's attempt to keep people in the sport - test track events and now National Championships for solo dance (since finding a partner is about as easy as finding $100 on the ground).

[Mafke]

It's the innaugural event for the discipline. It seems to be another of US Figure Skating's attempt to keep people in the sport - test track events and now National Championships for solo dance (since finding a partner is about as easy as finding $100 on the ground).

It's a natural development of the overall discipline of skating. I'll note that this has been a world championship event for roller skating for two years now (last year juniors only this year seniors and juniors). This year and last year were co-ed but starting next year they will be segregated by sex. And while free skating on rollers doesn't do much for me I like watching figures and solo dance on rollers.

Interestingly, for the compulsory dances in roller skating, all the skaters have to do the lady's pattern (since it's generally/always(?) more difficult).

[dorispulaski]

Solo dance has been part of the Lake Placid International Dance Competition for quite some time now, so this is not a brand new thing.

[mskater93]

Having a "National Championships" is a new thing, though

[Tammi]

Solo dance has been part of the Lake Placid International Dance Competition for quite some time now, so this is not a brand new thing.

I hope that in the future, they do expand this new National program to encompass other parts of the Lake Placid competition. For example, I'd love to see the Novice, Junior & Senior solo CD/OD event brought in.

[Mafke]

I hope that in the future, they do expand this new National program to encompass other parts of the Lake Placid competition. For example, I'd love to see the Novice, Junior & Senior solo CD/OD event brought in.

I'm long on record as favoring a CD/longOD format for senior elite competitions (with each competitor/pair being free to choose the rhythm but having to name the rhythm (no more non-dance FD drahmah).

[Mafke]

It's the innaugural event for the discipline. It seems to be another of US Figure Skating's attempt to keep people in the sport - test track events and now National Championships for solo dance (since finding a partner is about as easy as finding $100 on the ground).

Also, I think some ice dancers would probably do better on their own rather than having to scrounge up a partner (Death-stare Barb, I'm look at _you_!!!!)

Too bad this is coming about so late, I think for all his jumping talent Sandhu would have been much more interesting (and virtually unbeatable) as a solo dancer than as a free skater (for that matter in his prime he'd be close to unbeatable in any format that didn't require a 3ax...)