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Skate America Behind the Scenes

The Realities of a Major International Figure Skating Competition

Sep 12, 2007

The Skate America Grand Prix event will take place October 25-28, 2007. Here's a close look at the schedule and rules not shown on television.

Entry Forms

According to current ISU communications, competitors in the Grand Prix who plan on appearing in Reading, PA must turn in several forms on or before September 14th.

The original confirmation of entries was due back in November, but now each member federation has to submit a “Composition of Delegation,” listing a team leader and the names of all competitors being sent to Reading, Pennsylvania. The delegates are then responsible for making sure the other required paper work gets turned in.

Skaters first have to sign and submit a “Declaration” – which is basically the application page wherein the skater agrees to abide by the rules and regulations set fort in the constitution of the International Skating Union. This form also grants permission for each skater to be video taped, televised and photographed.

All competitors must turn in a “Planned Program Content” list that shows the elements to be performed during each skate. While most elite delegates have people who do this for them, skaters new to the international scene or from smaller ISU federations may appreciate the reminder.

Ice Dancers must present a declaration of their music and rhythms to be used during their programs at Skate America. This information will be given to the referee and judges. Compulsory dance will be the “Austrian Waltz,” and the Original Dance music will be “Folk/Country.” Vocals are allowed during the OD, so skaters should have a lot of fun with it.

Really, competitors should have a blast no matter what – given that “the organizer will provide and cover the expenses for rooms and meals for all competitors.” Skaters also have their airline tickets paid for by the USFSA.

Points for Grand Prix Final

Points accumulated at Skate America count toward an invitation to the Grand Prix Final. Prize money at each event is as great an incentive for skaters to be on top of their game. Furthermore, these early-season competition were created to give athletes the chance to gain confidence on the world scene with their new programs before the big games (Worlds, Olympics) begin.

Winners in each discipline receive 15 points, with second through eighth places gaining from 13 down to 3 points. Some skaters may choose to participate in a Grand Prix event for training purposes or to gain international competitive exposure. They can choose to declare an event as non-scoring. If such a skater places first, however, the second place skater who is counting his or her points does not get the first place points but keeps only what he or she actually earns during the competition. Even non-scoring participants get to count each placement in overall ISU World Standings which ranks the top athletes around the globe.

Prize Money

It pays to do well at these events – literally. $180,000 will be awarded to skaters who end up on (or near) the podium. Pairs and ice dance teams have to split the winnings, but the first place award of $18,000 could go a long way toward paying back training and coaching loans from their Novice years – before the national team started picking up the tab. Second place receives $13,000; third place gets $9,000; fourth earns $3,000, and fifth is awarded $2,000.

Skaters who aren’t on an “A” team usually have to pay all or most of their way to many of the major competitions. They are generally still paying for their own coaching, costuming, choreography and off-ice training too. The prize money really is a drop in the bucket compared to the cumulative costs of training to become an elite skater.

Incidentally, performers can lose three grand from their winnings if they don’t participate appropriately in the exhibition skate following the competition. There is also a general threat of reduction in money award to anyone who refuses to participate in the ceremony , press conferences, or any other “social” event deemed mandatory by the ISU event’s organizer.

If they liked your performance, or they have a spot to fill in the program, non-placing skaters can earn a whole $200 for skating during the exhibition. Pairs and dance teams do get $300 – just enough to buy them each a latte at the venue.

Tentative Event Schedule

Skaters will begin to arrive on Wednesday, October 24th. Most skaters rest and have a light exercise in the evening to overcome jetlag. Thursday is busy with official practice, team meetings, meetings of officials, the judges draw, reception, and officials’ dinner.

Friday kicks off with official practice for some disciplines, but the ice dancers start the show with their compulsory dances. Pairs’ and men’s short programs round out the day.

After official practice on Saturday, the ice dancing OD preludes the championship pairs round. Their free skates start in the early afternoon, followed in the evening by the ladies’ short and the men’s long programs. Pairs and men’s “victory ceremony” will conclude the evening.

Sunday begins will practice and round table discussions (the latter may be televised in your area or on the internet.) Free dances keep the energy going on this last day of competition. The ladies’ free skate is the last competitive event. After dance and ladies’ winners take to the podium, round table discussions will lead in to the late-evening exhibition of champions. Hopefully the anti-doping committee will conduct their mandatory tests on the winners of each event before the 11:00pm celebration banquet begins.

The copyright of the article Skate America Behind the Scenes in Figure/Speed Skating is owned by Timbre Beck-Murphy. Permission to republish Skate America Behind the Scenes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.