About Competitions
Skating competitions are an opportunity to measure your ability against skaters of similar test levels. Together with testing, competitions provide a skater with well-defined goals to accomplish. The excitement of competition at any level motivates a skater to persevere through training in a difficult sport. All USFS registered skaters are restricted to competitions approved or “sanctioned” by the USFS governing body and conducted according to USFS rules.
“Non-qualifying” competitions, such as our own Madison Open, are organized by USFS clubs for participants from other USFS clubs. They offer a variety of events from beginner levels to Senior skating events. “USFS Qualifying Competitions” allow higher-level skaters to work towards the USFS National Championships. Wisconsin is one of the states in the Upper Great Lakes Region, which sends skaters to the Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships. Those winners go on through the Midwest Sectionals toward national competition or on to Junior Nationals. Other areas of the country have similar competitions.
There are two local exceptions to the requirement that a skater be a USFS member to compete. The Wisconsin Badger States Games figure skating events allow any skater to enter but the competition is approved by the USFS for its members. Basic Skills competitions provide competition for skaters who are enrolled in a Basic Skills affiliated skating school. USFS registered skaters may enter these competitions if they are also skating school students. ISI skating schools may have similar rules and competition structures. Current competition rules and judging procedure are described in the USFS Rulebook.
“Non-qualifying” competitions, such as our own Madison Open, are organized by USFS clubs for participants from other USFS clubs. They offer a variety of events from beginner levels to Senior skating events. “USFS Qualifying Competitions” allow higher-level skaters to work towards the USFS National Championships. Wisconsin is one of the states in the Upper Great Lakes Region, which sends skaters to the Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships. Those winners go on through the Midwest Sectionals toward national competition or on to Junior Nationals. Other areas of the country have similar competitions.
There are two local exceptions to the requirement that a skater be a USFS member to compete. The Wisconsin Badger States Games figure skating events allow any skater to enter but the competition is approved by the USFS for its members. Basic Skills competitions provide competition for skaters who are enrolled in a Basic Skills affiliated skating school. USFS registered skaters may enter these competitions if they are also skating school students. ISI skating schools may have similar rules and competition structures. Current competition rules and judging procedure are described in the USFS Rulebook.
