Communication No. 1162: Figure Skating

I. Decisions of the 49th Ordinary Congress, Kyoto, Japan, 2002

The following Rule changes were accepted by the Congress:

  1. The time of the Short Program and Free Skating must be reckoned from the moment the skater begins to move or to skate until arriving at a complete stop at the end of the program.

  2. Senior Ladies Short Program: except for Open International Competitions a jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or other comparable free skating movements must be a triple jump.

  3. Junior Pairs Short Program: double or triple throw jump (season 2002-2003 - double or triple loop throw jump).

  4. In Pair Skating, Short Program and Free Skating, unison must be considered not only in the second mark, but also in the first mark.

  5. Description of a jump sequence: A jump sequence consists of a minimum of two jumps connected with small quick steps, unclassified jumps such as half-loop, split jump, mazurka, etc., hops and/or turns. The sequence should be continuous in a rhythm to make it apparent where the sequence begins and ends.

  6. Free Skating, Singles and Pairs: when the program is not well balanced, the penalty should be 0.2 for each extra or lacking element in the mark for technical merit.

  7. The one allowed carry lift in Pairs Free Skating can have any type of hold. The carry lift shall not count in the number of overhead lifts.

  8. Free Skating, Pairs: For all Pair Skating lifts the partners may give each other assistance only through hand-to-hand, hand-to-arm, hand-to-body and hand-to-upper part of the leg (above the knee) grips.

  9. Interpretive Free Skating (Open International Competitions), Singles: The maximum number of jumps with two or more revolutions including those executed in a sequence or combination is as follows: Ladies - three (3) with two (2) or more revolutions; Men - four with two (2) or more revolutions.

  10. In case of an interruption in the Short Program, Interpretive Free Skating and Free Skating the allowed two (2) minute period before the continuation commences immediately after the Referee's decision.

  11. At European Championships the panel of Judges for each final round event must contain two (2) Judges from the other geographical region.

  12. The 6.0 mark can be used for outstanding performances. Except for the last competitor this mark can be awarded by a Judge, when deserved, either in the first mark or in the second mark, but not in both.

  13. To be eligible for appointment as a Referee for International Competitions (International Referee) or ISU Championships (ISU Referee) a candidate recommended must have attended an ISU Sponsored Referees seminar (including a practical part) within the twenty-four (24) months preceding the nomination for Referees of International Competitions (International Referee) or thirty-six (36) months for Referees of ISU Championships (ISU Referee) and possess a good working knowledge of English.

  14. Judges are forbidden to bring any form of electronic communication system on the Judges' stand.

  15. Details regarding the adopted amended Urgent Matter No. 29 (Canada Figure) will follow shortly in a separate Communication.

II. Clarifications for Skaters, Judges, Coaches and ISU Members.

The Figure Skating Technical Committee would like to remind the following:

1. Junior Pairs Short Program, season 2002-2003:
d) The solo jump can only be a double lutz.

2. When nominating Judges for International Competitions who were not in the list for the previous season, the Members concerned must submit the documents confirming the required national activity, which are either a copy of the classification list which includes the names of the Judges or the list of the panel verified by the Member. 

Milan,                          Ottavio Cinquanta, President
                June 20, 2002
Lausanne                        Fredi Schmid, General Secretary

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