In case you missed them:

• Part I: Block, Circle, Line, Wheel, Intersection
• Part II: No Hold Element and Step Sequences

We’re in the homestretch, friends. Just a few more elements to cover…and then obsess over for several months.

MOVES

• Basic requirements and Base — For Base to be awarded, it appears all skaters simply have to attempt a Spread Eagle and/or Ina Bauer. To achieve Levels 1-3, basic requirements that need to be fulfilled are as follows: all skaters must execute a Spread Eagle and/or Ina Bauer; changes of edge (if included) must occur at the same time (no change); an fm must be held in the correct position, on the correct edge for three seconds (no change); and fm’s with a change of edge must be in the correct position for two seconds on each edge (no change).
• Feature — None (no change).
• Difficulty Groups — Levels 1-3 are essentially the same as last year. One notable difference is that 1798 does not specify whether or not steps are permitted between the two fm’s when a Spread Eagle or Ina Bauer is executed in both rotational directions. I expect this will be clarified in future documents.
• Variation(s) — None (no change). (more…)

If you missed it, here’s Part I: Block, Circle, Line, Wheel, Intersection.

NO HOLD ELEMENT

• Basic requirements — No change. For Level Base, the team must cover at least half the length of the ice (or comparable) in four lines of four (or as equal as possible if skating with fewer than 16).
• Feature — Step Sequence (no change). A Step Sequence is required in the Short, meaning there will be a penalty for omitting or executing it incorrectly, which is not usually the case in the Free.
• Variation(s) — Some changes, but not as major as some other Elements. The one-foot series that covers 20m or 30m is no longer, but the (1) change of axis, (2) body movements, (3) skaters/lines changing places, and (4) extra features remain. Note that the full length of the ice must be covered for Levels 2-4, while only half the length of the ice must be covered for Level Base and Level 1. All variations apply to all levels (except Base), so pay attention to the “or” and “and” requirements to ensure you include the correct number of variations for the level you are attempting. Variations may still be executed at the same time, but as was the case last season, if a body movement and extra feature are executed simultaneously, the Technical Panel will count only one, in the team’s favor for the higher level. (more…)

Remember that time I said this?…

I suspect we’ll see more clarifications, rather than changes, given [ISU Communication 1786] is described as replacing Appendix A in Communication 1759. Logic leads me to believe the intention is for 1759 to remain the core reference document, but perhaps simply with minor updates to come.

Oops.

ISU Communication 1798 outlines several rather major changes to the Difficulty Groups for 2013-14, which is why I’m going to break my overview up into a few separate entries. I’m still working my way through many of the details, and already have a list of questions I expect will be clarified in additional Communications, Q and As, and/or the Summary of Calls in the coming months. For instance, 1798 does not confirm in which cases turns must be correctly executed, versus when they only need to be attempted, for a variation to count. (more…)