Random Figure Skating Questions

[dorispulaski]

In the US, there are tests that you have to pass to compete in Senior (and indeed all other levels) competition in the US. Once you test up, you can't go back to Juniors nationally, even if age eligible. So Nathan Chen can only compete as a Senior in Regionals or Sectionals. Internationally, he can still be a Junior.

There are restrictions on past champions competing:

2430 Previous Winners – Regionals/Sectionals/Nationals/Adults

2431 Winners of intermediate and juvenile (singles, pairs and dance) events at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships are not eligible to compete again at the same level. Winners of junior and novice singles events at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships may compete at the same level the following season; however, if they choose to do so, they must bypass regionals and begin competing at their sectional championship. Winners of junior and novice pairs and dance events at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships may compete at the same level the following season, beginning at their sectional championship. Prior year (singles) winners moving up one or more levels must start at a regional championship. A. Either partner of a pair or dance team may re-enter the same level with a different partner, if otherwise eligible. 2432 Previous winners of juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior or senior events at regional championships, or juvenile, intermediate, novice or junior events at sectional championships must compete at a regional championship again to qualify for the sectional championships, unless otherwise qualified under rule 2471.
2433 Winners of senior singles events at a sectional championship may bypass the regional championships the following season and begin competing at their sectional championships; however, if they choose to compete at a regional championship, they must place in the top four in order to advance to sectionals.
2434 Dance teams who have previously won a gold medal in the adult pre-bronze dance event (rule 6590) at the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships may not enter the adult pre-bronze dance event again; however, either partner may re-enter the event with a different partner, if otherwise eligible

Exact info can be found in the announcements from any of US Sectionals or Regionals
http://www.easternsectionals.com/
ANNOUNCEMENT

The qualifying and national championship competitions are only open to competitors who (1) Are current members of U.S. Figure Skating (2) Meet the eligibility requirements according to U.S. Figure Skating Rule 2211 (3) Meet all age and test requirements pertaining to the event to be entered and (4) Meet the citizen and residency requirements as stated in Rules 2230-2243 and ICR 6.09 of the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook. Please note amendments have been made to the requirements for returning U.S. skaters as well as non-U.S. skaters wishing to compete. Consult the rulebook to ensure you complete the necessary requirements

The current Rulebook is here:
http://usfigureskating.org/content/2015-16 Rulebook 11-04-15.pdf

2230-2243

2230 Eligibility of U.S. Citizen Returning From Competing for Another ISU Member
2231 In order to compete at a U.S. Figure Skating qualifying competition after having represented a foreign federation at any level of skating competition, an applicant must complete the “Returning U.S. Citizen Application to Compete” (available online at usfigureskating.org), submit it to the chair of the Competitions Committee at least seven calendar days before the closing date for entries as provided in rule 2401 and include: A. Written proof that applicant has resided in the United States for one year or has a valid U.S. passport; B. A copy of the applicant’s domestic and international competitive record in its entirety; and C. Proof that applicant is a current member of U.S. Figure Skating. 2232 A skater may not compete in U.S. Figure Skating qualifying competitions and the qualifying competitions of another federation or represent another federation in an ISU event in the same competition season. If a skater enters a qualifying competition or ISU event for another federation while registered for a U.S. Figure Skating qualifying competition, the skater will be considered withdrawn from the U.S. Figure Skating qualifying competition. If the skater has already completed the qualifying season for U.S. Figure Skating, the skater’s results will be forfeited.
2240 Eligibility of Non-U.S. Citizens to Compete in U.S. Figure Skating Qualifying Competitions
2241 Non-U.S. citizens who are members in good standing of U.S. Figure Skating and have never represented a foreign federation at any level of skating competition may enter U.S. Figure Skating qualifying competitions if qualified by test level. It is not necessary to complete the “Non-U.S. Citizen Application to Compete”.
2242 Non-U.S. citizens who are members in good standing of U.S. Figure Skating and have represented a foreign federation at any level of skating competition will apply to the chair of the Competitions Committee by submitting a “Non-U.S. Citizen Application to Compete”. This form is available online at usfigureskating.org. A. Singles skaters must have resided in the United States and cannot have competed for a foreign federation for one year preceding the date of the first competition the skater wishes to enter. B. In the case of pair or ice dance couples, one partner of the couple must be a citizen of the United States. 1. Siblings who are skating together as a couple, both of whom are under age 18, are excluded from the requirement that one partner be a U.S. citizen as long as all other requirements of rules 2240 through 2247 are met. C. A non-U.S. citizen may compete for a U.S. synchronized skating team provided that: 1. The skater has not represented a foreign federation in the course of the same membership year (July 1 through June 30); 2. At least 75 percent of the team members are citizens of the United States
2243 The application and supporting documentation, including competitive history and a copy of the applicant’s valid passport from the country of citizenship, must be submitted in English no later than seven days before the closing date for entries for the competition the skater is seeking to enter. A. Non-U.S. citizens wishing to compete in any qualifying (championship) events at an adult sectional or the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships who have competed internationally for another national skating federation must apply to the chair of the Competitions Committee as stated above. Such skaters do not need a release from the previous federation. 2244 In order to qualify for the level of competition, the applicant must have passed the necessary skating tests before the closing date for entries established in rule 2401. The chair of the Competitions Committee will determine what tests are to be taken, and may elect to waive all or part of this requirement

 

[gkelly]

If you're interested in the USFS test structure and the specific requirements for each test, you can check out the Test Rules in the rulebook that Doris linked in her post, from p. 245 to the end of the book.

This page has links to all the forms that the judges use to mark the tests. That will give you an idea of what's required/expected on tests at each level.

Note that the elements on singles and pairs tests are easier than what's allowed in competition at those levels. Passing the tests is just a minimum requirement expected of everyone admitted to that competition category -- if you want to be competitive for medals in your competition level, you need harder content.

 

[stryke]

How come there is not a Junior Europeans or a Junior 4CC?

 

[Crossover]

I'm not sure where to question like this, but I'm genuinely curious about sincere followers of ice dance and pairs watching even competitions at novice and junior level.

I've tried so hard to see the two disciplines in the Junior circuit of Grand prix series this season, but the level can't match seniors unlike singles. It was also scary to see junior pair skaters do tricks in the air. I wonder what aspects make the serious lovers watch such competitions. Expectations for some of them that could be a star, or a next big thing?

 

[Crossover]

How come there is not a Junior Europeans or a Junior 4CC?

Probably ISU can't afford the cost since juniors are unpredictable along with the fact that viewership would be very low, so sponsors for junior championships are hard to find? Besides, we have Youth Olympics.

 

[gkelly]

I wonder what aspects make the serious lovers watch such competitions.

There are probably as many different answers as there are serious lovers of junior pairs and dance. Which is probably not a huge number.

Speaking for myself, I do find it interesting to analyze how pair elements work, and sometimes there's more to be learned by seeing them done poorly, or seeing easier versions (e.g., double instead of triple twists). It also gives a greater appreciation for just what an accomplishment it is for the top pairs to execute these elements seamlessly.

The same would go for dance skills, although I don't follow ice dance that closely these days.

 

[Crossover]

There are probably as many different answers as there are serious lovers of junior pairs and dance. Which is probably not a huge number.

Speaking for myself, I do find it interesting to analyze how pair elements work, and sometimes there's more to be learned by seeing them done poorly, or seeing easier versions (e.g., double instead of triple twists). It also gives a greater appreciation for just what an accomplishment it is for the top pairs to execute these elements seamlessly.

The same would go for dance skills, although I don't follow ice dance that closely these days.

Thank you for the quick and detailed answer. I saw pair competitions at Junior World last season just because Yu/Jin of China who already competed in senior circuits appeared to defend their title. As a result, I got to know a rising and charming Canadian pair team, so the pleasure of watching senior pairs is getting deepen but at that same time, I got to know who were frontrunners in the new changed field of junior pairs. I feel sometimes, media showers are needed for junior pair and ice dance, but such hypes are mostly directed at junior girls or boys who can do difficult jumps.

 

[mrrice]

Hey Guys, have there been any recent reports on Denny and Frazier? Will they be at Nationals? I haven't anything about them other than she had an injury but that was months ago. Are they going to perform at Nationals?

I loved everything about this team when I saw them in 2013 at Junior Worlds. Especially the Music:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eihOf2ZoyQ8

 

[silverfoxes]

We often hear about skaters deciding to change coaches, but do coaches ever tell a skater to leave or find someone else? I know it can happen rarely for bad behavior (I think I read that Kovtun was told to leave Morozov's group for not following the rules), but what about a situation where the skater just isn't progressing for whatever reason, or the coach's other students are at a higher level & s/he would rather spend time working with those more promising students?

 

[mrrice]

We often hear about skaters deciding to change coaches, but do coaches ever tell a skater to leave or find someone else? I know it can happen rarely for bad behavior (I think I read that Kovtun was told to leave Morozov's group for not following the rules), but what about a situation where the skater just isn't progressing for whatever reason, or the coach's other students are at a higher level & s/he would rather spend time working with those more promising students?

I think this happened with Frank Carroll and Timothy Goebel. I think Frank told Tim he had taken him as far as he could. I also think it had something to do with Evan. I don't really remember the exact details.

 

[dorispulaski]

Frank also fired Chris Bowman.

 

[el henry]

Frank also fired Chris Bowman.

Y'know, you don't skate a silly little program at big comp the way it was designed, you make a few adjustments to the choreo on the fly, and look what happens?

Didn't Toller fire Bowman after that, as well? Truly an example of he was his own worst enemy.

 

[NanaPat]

We often hear about skaters deciding to change coaches, but do coaches ever tell a skater to leave or find someone else? I know it can happen rarely for bad behavior (I think I read that Kovtun was told to leave Morozov's group for not following the rules), but what about a situation where the skater just isn't progressing for whatever reason, or the coach's other students are at a higher level & s/he would rather spend time working with those more promising students?

I believe that Patrick Chan was fired by not one but two coaches, first Don Laws and then Kristy Krall. And sadly, his first coach Osborne Colson, died. The firings didn't have to do with lack of talent or progress (obviously), but I believe because Patrick started working with someone else, as well as his main coach.

The split with Laws was pretty well reported; Patrick went to Colorado for a period of time for help with his jumps, and Laws didn't approve of it or perhaps the way it was done. I'm not sure if Krall ever said why she fired him, but I think it hd to do with his growing relationship with his new coach. Or maybe not.

 

[NicolettaL]

I believe that Patrick Chan was fired by not one but two coaches, first Don Laws and then Kristy Krall. And sadly, his first coach Osborne Colson, died. The firings didn't have to do with lack of talent or progress (obviously), but I believe because Patrick started working with someone else, as well as his main coach.

The split with Laws was pretty well reported; Patrick went to Colorado for a period of time for help with his jumps, and Laws didn't approve of it or perhaps the way it was done. I'm not sure if Krall ever said why she fired him, but I think it hd to do with his growing relationship with his new coach. Or maybe not.

I've heard the rumor that she fired him because he doesn't want to pay her for coaching

 

[Imagine]

How important is it to consider hosting country when selecting program music? For example, Yulia is doing Elvis because she was going to Skate America (although I disagree with Elvis being the epitome of American music...), and the year before she wanted to do Mulan because of Cup of China (and Worlds which she didn't get on the team for). So far, I've only seen Yulia talking about this in interviews, so I'm not sure it's an actual thing. But there are some interesting coincidences I've noticed as far as the Olympics go. At the 2014 Olympics, Mao skated to Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, a piece that was also performed in one of the ceremonies if I'm not mistaken. In 2006, Shizuka won gold at Tornio with a free program to music from Turandot by Puccini (an Italian), which included Nessun Dorma...again, performed at the opening ceremony. Sasha Cohen skated to music by Nino Rota (also an Italian) composed for the movie Romeo & Juliet...the story of which takes place in Italy.

 

[dorispulaski]

Davis and White won the Olympics with Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherazade..

But one of the reasons Riverdance went down in Boston so well is the Irish connection there.

There is a reason the basketball team is the Celtics, and that this is what they do when the Red Sox win during the World Series:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCMPJkOAFy4

 

[Crossover]

I've been wondering who is the announcer of Japanese TV, Asahi's figure skating coverage on the 2002 Olympics.

Yagudin's Winter

He sounds to me as a middle aged man at that time. The voice may fit well for baseball game coverage too.

 

[mrrice]

OK Canadians , This question has nothing to do with skating but, I'm hoping someone Canadian might know the answer. As a young Vocalist, I did a lot of professional back up singing. I remember meeting "The Defranco Family" at a studio recording. They all had great hair......Anyway, are they doing anything in Canada these days or are they completely retired?

 

[StitchMonkey]

So a Jill Trenary skate was posted recently that included a "One Foot Axel" into a 3S


https://youtu.be/kFxBgF7jc-k?t=81

So it got me thinking. Since the lowest value jump of a three jump combo gets dropped anyway, could that be a way to bring it back. Like could a skater do a one foot axel+3S+2L basically in lieu of a 3S+2T+2L and have the base score be the same? Would the one foot axel just be treated as a single axel and get dropped in the same way the 2T would?

Assuming it is allowed and would not be scored at a disadvantage. How do we think it would be regarded? Would it be seen as better or worse/easier or harder than a 3S+2L+2T?

Can you tell I am one of those fans that really want to see stuff like this brought back?

 

[gkelly]

In a jump sequence, which would include half-jumps, hops, non-listed jumps, and/or certain allowed steps, only the two highest-value listed jumps count for points.

All jumps in a three-jump combination count (and only one three-jump combination is allowed in the freeskate).

1A+3S+2Lo would get credit for all three of those jumps; the difference in points between that and 3S+2Lo+2T (which also gets credit for all three jumps) is just the difference between 1A and 2T, so the latter would be worth 0.2 more in base value.

However, the former is probably significantly more difficult to pull off successfully and therefore not worth doing for most skaters. Maybe someone who was really confident with the 1A+3S would include it just for the novelty value and hope for extra leniency on the GOE and extra points in Choreography.

Forget the 2Lo in both cases, and we can have the same discussion about 1A+3S vs. 3S+2T.

If there were a bonus to the base value of the second jump in a combination, that could give the former a higher base value and make it more worth learning.