The ISU has released a very helpful 45-minute video presenting the key changes to the technical rules for next season. You’ll likely get the most out of the video if you’ve already read Communication 2317.
In addition, the ISU recently released next season’s Scale of Values in Communication 2322. This often overlooked document should play a critical strategic role in your choreography. Don’t underestimate its importance!
The ISU has published two new Communications you should consider critical to your 2020-21 program planning:
Communication 2317 details the requirements an Element, Feature, or Additional Feature must satisfy in order to get credit for a given difficulty level. The Technical Panel uses the information in this document (along with information in the Technical Handbook, which is not yet published for this season) to “call” the level of each Element in your program.
Communication 2318 explains what the judges are looking for when determining what Grade of Execution and Program Component Scores to award.
Though the Well Balanced Program requirements for the upcoming season will be the same as in 2019-20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these new Communications outline some important changes to technical requirements and judging criteria. Teams who may be considering reusing one of last season’s programs due to reduced training time should read these documents especially carefully. In many cases, the document underlines important changes and clarifications to last season’s rules.
Check the ISU website frequently for revisions and clarifications to these rules over the coming months.
Typically at this time of year, the ISU publishes a new Communication containing Well Balanced Program Requirements for the upcoming season. According to the recently published Decisions of Council in Communication 2312:
Synchronized Skating: The requirements for the Well Balanced Short and Free Programs for all categories will not be changed.
In other words, the required and optional Elements in Short and Free Programs will be the same as last season. The Communication goes on to say that some changes have been proposed for the Scale of Values, Levels, and GOE for all disciplines. These will be communicated at a later date.
Communication 2312 also discusses:
Today was to have been the culmination of the last year’s worth of hard work for the teams who qualified to compete at the 2020 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Lake Placid, USA. The unfortunate (but understandable) cancellation of the event due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic left thousands of people — not least of all, the skaters — heartbroken to miss out on the chance to experience these wonderful programs one last time.
But, as the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” To help fill the gap left by the event’s cancellation, teams from around the globe came together to create a Virtual Worlds on Youtube — complete with promo videos for teams, opening ceremonies, and a virtual draw.
Though it’s not exactly the same as watching (or streaming) it live, it’s impossible not to admire the creative teamwork required to bring this digital event together. And there’s no better time to sit back, relax, and enjoy some skating videos, than when you’re at home distancing yourself from the outside world.
Thank you, and well done to all those involved!
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