Figure Skating

Athlete Eligibility and Classification

Figure skaters who compete in Special Olympics events must have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation. They are classified according to a process called divisioning in which athletes are grouped by ability level for competition. In figure skating, classification is based upon scores from a series of individual skills tests that are graded by difficulty. There are 11 skills competitions, all of which are described in the figure skating rules section of the Special Olympics web site at http://www.specialolympics.org. For purposes of illustration, the Level 1 and Level 11 tests are described here.

Events

Playing Area

Figure skaters compete in an ice skating arena. The ice surface must measure at least 26m x 56m.

Rules

Figure skating is a sport completed on ice skates. The sport is judged for the technical and artistic merits of the competitor. Special Olympics (SOI) figure skating rules are posted at http://www.specialolympics.org. The SOI rules were adapted from International Skating Union (ISU) rules. Before a figure skater may compete, he or she must participate in a badge/level program established by the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA).

In singles and pairs competition, skaters compete in both compulsory and free skating routines. Special Olympics rules specify the compulsory skills for each level. The skills which may be included in a free skating routine are determined by the athlete's division/level. Skaters are penalized for attempting skills that are more difficult than expected for their divisions. The type of music (instrumental only) and the duration of music is also regulated (e.g., in singles 60 sec + 10 sec for Level I, 90 sec + 10 sec for Level II, 120 sec + 10 sec for Level III, and 150 sec + 10 sec for Level IV). Skaters must complete both the compulsory and free skating routine to receive a score. The compulsory routine is valued at ⅓ of the total score, and the free skating routine is valued at ⅔ of the total score.

In ice dancing competition, athletes must skate designated routines to designated music. For example, at the 2001 World Games, Level I ice dancers competed to the Dutch Waltz, Level II ice dancers to the Swing Dance, and Level III ice dancers to the Ten Fox. The type of dance, the duration and tempo of the music, and the minimum number of times around the ice is spelled out in the rules. For example, the skaters must perform a 4/4 fox trot, at 100 beats per minute, with two patterns or one time around the ice surface when dancing to the Ten Fox music. The rules provide a diagram that indicates the direction of movement and sequence of steps. Skaters must complete both compulsory and free skating routines, each of which contribute ½ of the total score.

Equipment

Links

Page prepared by Kelly Bonnar and revised by Gail Dummer