Coaches decide when their students are ready to compete and at which levels.

Participation

Columbine FSC has members participating in 8-12 different competitions each year. Not all coaches participate in all of the competitions, and not all of a particular coach's students participate in each competition. Some enjoy 2-3 per year and others prefer 10 or more. It is recommended that if you only participate in one or two competitions, you choose competitions which earn money for your club. In our case, this means Funtastics and Colorado Championships.

A schedule of upcoming competitions can be found on the Mile High Figure Skating Association website, or further down this page (upcoming competitions).

Participation in a competition involves preparing a program: choosing music, choreographing the routine, and selecting a costume. Until recently, US Figure Skating prohibited the use of vocals in the music selection, with the exception of an "Artistic" event. Beginning with the 2010 competition season, skaters may use vocals in their music IF they compete at the Intermediate level or below. Beyond that, all of the choices are between the skater, the coach, and the parents. Some coaches pick the music and have very precise ideas as to the costume. Other coaches prefer a lot of input from the skater. All of these issues should be discussed with a new coach to make sure that no misunderstandings will arise.

Qualifying vs Nonqualifying

There are two types of competition: Nonqualifying competitions are "self-contained." This means that, no matter how a skater places in that competition, it does not lead to participation in a higher-level competition. Qualifying competitions lead to the next level. The top skaters at a regional competition become eligible to move on to a sectional competition. Then, the top skaters in a sectional competition are eligible to move on to a national competition.

At the Pre-Preliminary and Preliminary levels, skaters participate only in nonqualifying competitions. At the Pre-Juvenile level, they may participate in a Regional competition. Juvenile and Intermediate skaters are eligible to proceed to the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships. Novice, Junior, and Senior skaters are eligible to proceed to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Local Competitions

The following are some nonqualifying competitions in the Colorado area:

Qualifying Competitions

The qualifying competitions are at approximately the same time each year, but the locations change:

Entering Competitions

Competition Announcements are emailed to club members and/or posted on the bulletin board on the landing. These contain descriptions of the events, fees, forms, etc. Entry forms must be signed by the coach and a Club officer, prior to mailing in. It is a good idea to have someone check over your forms the first few times you fill them out, since they can be confusing.

Events

Although details may vary, the most common events are:

Compulsory
(Pre-Preliminary to Juvenile)
 A set of elements that is performed without music, usually on one half of the ice. Each competitor skates exactly the same elements. The routines range from 1 to 1.5 minutes, depending on the level.
Free Skate
 A choreographed program set to music. Depending on the level, it is usually 1-4.5 minutes long.
Spins
 Three to four spins, performed without music, usually on one half or one third of the ice. Each competitor skates exactly the same spins.
Jumps
 The same as spins, except that the competitors execute jumps.
Artistic
 A fun program where the judging is based on the interpretation of the music and not just the execution of the jumps and spins. Elaborate costumes are usually worn and vocals in the music selection are permitted.
Interpretive
 All the skaters in the event create their own choreography to the same piece of music, which they have only heard played three to four times prior to the event.
Short Program
 Skated at the Intermediate through Senior levels. Similar to compulsory, but with music.
Long Program
 Skated at the Intermediate through Senior levels. Similar to Free Skate.

Practice Ice

In addition to registering for an event, the skater has an opportunity to reserve one or more sessions of practice ice at the rink at which they will be competing. This enables the skaters to familiarize themselves with the rink and to feel more comfortable when they are actually competing. Coaches attend practice-ice sessions, so skaters are able to go into an event with even more preparation. Skaters need to consult with their coaches on how much practice ice they want the skater to reserve. There is sometimes another opportunity to sign up for practice ice once the skater is at the competition.

Check In

Upon arrival at the competition, skaters need to check in at the registration desk. They will receive a "welcome" packet which includes the competition program. It is a good idea to verify the information in the program and to check the bulletin board to see if any changes have been made in the competition which will affect the skater's schedule.

Music

There is usually a separate "music" desk, where CDs are checked in. Please be sure the CDs you check in only have one piece of music on them. Prior to checking in the music, the skater needs to verify whether the coach will have an extra copy available to use during practice ice. Once music is checked in, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to have it back until after the competition.

After the competition, do not forget to pick up your CDs.

Countdown

Skaters need to arrive at the rink at least one hour prior to their event. Coaches will be there to help them with their stretching, warm-ups, etc. About 20-30 minutes before the event, the skater needs to check in with the monitor at the rink entrance. Skates should be put on approximately 15 minutes prior to the event (or when your coach tells you to).

Competing

When it is time to skate an event, skaters will be called out on the ice in groups of approximately 6-8 skaters, grouped by age. They will get a 5 minute warm-up on the ice, during which the individual coaches will be offering them last-minute instructions. Then the skaters will be called out one by one to skate their programs. After their group is done, the next group of skaters will take the ice for their warm-up, and so on.

Posting Results

Each competition will have a location where results are posted. The first list posted will be the starting order for the event. The final results are posted a few minutes after the event and include the placements (ordinals) of each judge. Only after the final results are posted are the results considered official.

Awards

Skaters need to keep their skates on, because after the results are posted, the skaters go to the photography area to get their pictures taken. There is usually a podium for the first-, second-, third-, and sometimes the fourth-place winners. Medals or ribbons are awarded at this time and pictures are taken by a professional photographer. Group photos are always taken. Individual photos are taken only if the skater wants and has placed an order.

Engraving

The medals which are awarded are blank. It is the individual skater's responsibility to get them engraved, if they wish. There is an engraver on-site at some competitions and the fee is usually $4-5 per medal. (If there isn't an engraver at the competition, most trophy shops can do this for a minimal fee.)

Result Sheets

Final result sheets are available for a minimal fee, usually 25 cents per sheet. IJS event result sheets are slightly more.

Coaching Fees

Every time a skater gets on the ice at a competition, whether it's for pracitce ice or to compete in an event, the coach is paid a coaching fee. This is usually equivalent to the cost of a private lesson. The skaters also pay for the coach's mileage/travel and lodging. These travel expenses are divided by the number of students a coach has at a competition, with everyone paying their portion.

Extras

There are a lot of extra items available for sale at most competitions, such as flowers, pins, clothing, individual photos, event DVDs, etc.

Upcoming Competitions

Date Event Club/Location Other Information
June 23-27, 2010 Broadmoor Open World Arena, CO Springs  
July 15-18, 2010 Vail Invitational & Mtn Fun SC of Vail

 
August 4-7, 2010 Colorado Championships Mile High Figure Skating Association     
August 27-28, 2010 Cup of Colorado Colorado Skating Club     
August 29, 2010 Colorado Gold
(basic skills) 		Colorado Skating Club     
September 14-19, 2010 Colorado Springs Invitational Centennial Skating Club  
October 15-19, 2010 Southwest Regional Championships hosted by Broadmoor Skating Club Event web site
November 9-13, 2010 Midwestern Sectional Championships Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club
Ann Arbor, MI 		 
December 2-4, 2010 Dr. Richard Porter Classic Ann Arbor, MI Event web site
December 14-18, 2010 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Salt Lake Figure Skating  
January 22-30, 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Greensboro, NC Event web site
February 3-5, 2011 Midwestern & Pacific Coast Synchro Sectionals Rochester FSC
Rochester, MN 		Event web site
February 25, 2011 Midwestern Adult Sectionals University of Michigan
Dearborn, MI		  
March 2-5, 2011 U.S. Synchro Nationals Glacier Falls FSC
Ontaria, CA		 Event web site