INTERSECTION: any maneuver incorporating movement of one part of the team through the remaining part. (intersections can be a part of any of the other four basic elements)
the ranks for precision skaters have, in the past, been determined more by age than ability. recently, a testing system for precision has been developed that incorporates moves in the field as well as execution of certain precision elements. currently, the divisions within precision are still made by age, although ability does factor in which age division a team would enter. there are 9 skating divisions and 3 introductory level divisions. they are as follows...
- PRELIMINARY: 8-16 skaters, 75% 9 years old or younger, 25% may be 11 years old or younger. they skate a free program only that is 2 minutes long
- JUVENILE: 12-24 skaters, must be 12 years old or younger, free program only, duration:3 minutes
- INTERMEDIATE: 12- 18 skaters, 75% 15 or under, 25% up to age 18, free program only, duration: 3 and a half minutes. (a note on this division: in terms of participation, this is the largest division, more teams compete at the intermediate level that at any other)
- NOVICE: 12-24 skaters, 14 or under, free program only, program duration: three and a half minutes
- JUNIOR: 12-20 skaters over age 12, but under 19, Junior teams skate a technical and a free program, duration: 2:40 (technical), 4 minutes (free), Junior teams are also eligible to compete internationally
- SENIOR: 16-24 skaters, must be over 15, no age cap, skate a technical and a free program, duration: 2:40 (technical), 4 and a half minutes (free) Senior teams are eligible for international competitions.
- COLLEGIATE: 12-24 skaters, ages 17-28 who must be enrolled in a program of higher education. program length is the same as Senior.
- ADULT OPEN: 12-24 skaters, must be over 21, 75% over 25, free program only, duration: 3 and a half minutes
- ADULT MASTERS: 8-20 skaters, must be over 25, 75% over 35, free program only, duration: three and a half minutes
- YOUTH INTRODUCTORY: 8-12 skaters, must be under 11, program duration: 2 minutes
- TEEN INTRODUCTORY: 8-12 skaters, must be under 18, program duration: 2 and a half minutes
- ADULT INTRODUCTORY: 8-12 skaters, must be at aleast 19, program duration: 2 and a half minutes
ages are determined by you age on the July 1 preceding the competition season. (so if you turned 12 on July 2, you could still compete with a juvenile team for the entire season)
COMPETITION STRUCTURE
precision competitions are structured the same way competitions for individuals, pairs, or dance are. teams compete at sectionals to qualify for nationals (with the top four teams advancing), and junior and senior teams placing in the top four at nationals qualify for internation palcement. currently, the top two junior and senior teams also qualify to compete at the ISU World Challenge Cup, the event that will (in 2000) become the world chapionships for precision.
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