News

A new format for the competitions in the USA


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(Credits: Ice Galaxy - 2020)

Due to the impact of COVID-19, U.S. Figure Skating has approved recently an updated structure for the 2020-21 synchronized skating season. "The goal of this updated format is to provide competitive opportunities for teams at every level in various geographic regions," the federation explains in a press release.

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Approved by the U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors, this new format of competitions was conceived as a result of athlete, coach, and parent/guardian or chaperone feedback, as well as input from the U.S. Figure Skating Synchronized Development and Technical Committee, and the Synchronized Skating Competitions Subcommittee, writes the federation.

"As it has done throughout the planning process for the upcoming season, U.S. Figure Skating will continue to assess the viability of this plan based on state and local regulations to ensure the health and wellbeing for all participants."

2021 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships and Challenge
This year only, the 2021 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships and Challenge will be an open event for teams and will run Feb. 23-27, 2021, at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

The competition will be open to all qualifying level teams able to travel to the event. Teams must meet the minimum moves in the field test requirement by Nov. 15, 2020. Registration will take place from Jan. 1 - Feb. 1, 2021. An official announcement with housing information, health requirements and more will be published Dec. 1, 2020.

Due to COVID-19 requirements in Nevada, we are requiring all teams to stay at the Orleans Hotel, a 1,100-room property that will serve as the only official hotel for the 2021 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships and Challenge. This will allow us to implement a health and safety plan for all event participants. 

The 2021 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships will be open to any eligible junior- and senior-level teams that wish to participate. The event will be also open to eligible teams at the juvenile, intermediate, novice, collegiate, adult and masters level. This event will be part of the 2020-21 National Synchronized Skating Series (see below).

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2020-21 National Synchronized Skating Series
The 2020-21 National Synchronized Skating Series will be expanded this season to include all synchronized skating levels and all judging systems (6.0 and IJS). The series will run from November to April and feature events in major geographical areas.

Overall scores and placements will be uploaded to U.S. Figure Skating’s Event Management System throughout the series to generate national rankings at each level. All events are subject to change or cancelation based on local COVID-19 regulations. More details regarding the series' events and registrations will be released at a later date, explains U.S. Figure Skating.

2021 Collegiate Synchronized Skating Final
To accommodate collegiate and open collegiate teams, U.S. Figure Skating will host the 2021 Collegiate Synchronized Skating Final held in conjunction with the Intercollegiate Final, April 16-18, 2021, in Adrian, Michigan.

"With the current university restrictions for club and varsity sports, this event will allow collegiate and open collegiate teams the necessary time to train and prepare for competition," says the federation. Also, note that the above-mentioned levels are also eligible to compete in the 2020-21 National Synchronized Skating Series (see above). Additional information about this event will be released at a later date, adds U.S. Figure Skating.

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More information on the U.S. Figure Skating's website.