- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
For international competitions I am pretty sure that the only qualification is age (13-19, except that male pairs skaters and ice dancers can be 21 if their partners are 19 or under.) Each ISU federation has the right to send one skater to the junior world championship, and extra slots can be earned just like in seniors.
A small federation may not have anyone to send, but they have to right to send someone with no skills at all if they want to, just for the experience. Conversely, a federation can (and often does) send their 18-year-old senior champion to junior worlds.
Strangely, in the US it seems to be the exact opposite. Skaters must demonstrate junior level skills by testing. But there is no age limit. Occasionally there are skaters in their twenties competing in novices, especially in pairs.
A small federation may not have anyone to send, but they have to right to send someone with no skills at all if they want to, just for the experience. Conversely, a federation can (and often does) send their 18-year-old senior champion to junior worlds.
Strangely, in the US it seems to be the exact opposite. Skaters must demonstrate junior level skills by testing. But there is no age limit. Occasionally there are skaters in their twenties competing in novices, especially in pairs.
Last edited: