2010 ISU Congress Agenda is online - discuss!

[Sylvia]

It's 202 pages long: http://isu.sportcentric.net/db//files/serve.php?id=1859

ETA: The "good" news is that the proposed new age rules for Juniors (if they pass, and I hope they don't as written) would NOT take effect until the 2011-12 season (see page 63).

[elfenblüte]

I am afraid to read this...

[Debbie S]

The first 50 pages is a lot of admin/bylaw stuff. Proposals begin on p. 51 - first general rules, then the proposals for each sport - figure skating begins on p. 101.

The things that jump out at me:

1. A couple of different proposals to count all judges' scores - no more random selection.

2. Qual rounds at ISU Campionships are back. It looks like a country's entries won't have to qual if the country had the same number of finishers in the top 18 (singles) or 12 (pairs), or 15 (dance) the year before. If not, they go to a QR before the SP/OD (or whatever the new dance abbreviation will be). It will be the day before the main comp begins and it appears individual feds will have to foot the extra hotel bill.

3. For Senior-level championships, skaters/teams need to achieve a minimum score in either the current or previous season to be able to even go - for Men, it's 40 in the SP, 70 in the FS; Ladies - 30 in the SP, 50 in the FS; Pairs - 35 in the SP, 60 in the FS; Dance - 20 CD, 35 OD, 55 FD. I guess this might save us from skaters who can't land double jumps.

4. It also looks like the age rules for Junior int'ls may change to take away the under-21 provision for a male pairs skater/dancer and make 18 the age limit for everyone.

5. SP changes: the spiral sequence is being removed from the Junior and Senior Ladies SP but can be included as a "transition". Both men and ladies will have 1 step sequence. Senior ladies may do 3axel in the SP. Men can do 2 different quads. 2 step sequences (men) and 1 step and 1 spiral (ladies) are still required in the FS. In Pairs SP, it looks like there will be no more spiral sequence, at least for the next 5 years, and the solo spin combo and pair spin combo will alternate from 1 year to the next - next season, it's the solo spin. In Pairs FS, a spiral sequence is required instead of a step.

6. In Dance, there is a new type of step sequence for the "short dance" - the Partial Step Sequence (performed anywhere on the ice)

Kneeling or sliding on both knees has been outlawed in both the short dance and FD, as has swinging a partner around by the skates or legs (doesn't say anything about costumes, though, I thought that had also been included?).

[gkelly]

Thanks for the highlights, Debbie. I'll have to scan the whole thing myself when I get a chance.

Some thoughts:

1. A couple of different proposals to count all judges' scores - no more random selection.

Yes -- please pass one of these.

3. For Senior-level championships, skaters/teams need to achieve a minimum score in either the current or previous season to be able to even go - for Men, it's 40 in the SP, 70 in the FS; Ladies - 30 in the SP, 50 in the FS; Pairs - 35 in the SP, 60 in the FS; Dance - 20 CD, 35 OD, 55 FD. I guess this might save us from skaters who can't land double jumps.

Well, these are very achievable scores for anyone who wants to compete at the senior level. It won't make much difference in the total numbers of entrants but will exclude skaters who aren't close to an international standard.

4. It also looks like the age rules for Junior int'ls may change to take away the under-21 provision for a male pairs skater/dancer and make 18 the age limit for everyone.

This could cause problems.

5. SP changes: the spiral sequence is being removed from the Junior and Senior Ladies SP but can be included as a "transition". Both men and ladies will have 1 step sequence. Senior ladies may do 3axel in the SP. Men can do 2 different quads. 2 step sequences (men) and 1 step and 1 spiral (ladies) are still required in the FS. In Pairs SP, it looks like there will be no more spiral sequence, at least for the next 5 years, and the solo spin combo and pair spin combo will alternate from 1 year to the next - next season, it's the solo spin. In Pairs FS, a spiral sequence is required instead of a step.

Huh. We'll see whether these all pass.

So they're taking an element out of the SP but keeping it in the LP? In one way it makes more sense to require specific spiral skills as an element in the more technical program and give more freedom in the supposedly freer program.

But in another way, this will lower the scores in the short programs so that they will be closer to half that of the long programs. So that may make it harder for skaters to build up as much of a lead after the short.

Well, harder for those skaters who excel in spirals or steps. Skaters who blow everyone else away primarily on the jumps will still have big leads.

There will be more time for transitions in the short programs (since the difference in time limit between the two programs is narrower than the difference in number of elements -- or are they also going back to the 2:40 maximum?). Which means that the stronger overall skaters, who use the extra time for in-betweens wisely and boost their PCS as a result, can still build up good leads.

[caseyedwards]

Now Kevin Renolds can do both of his quads in the short program

[HisWeirness]

The Congress will be held from June 12-20, 2010. Looks like elections will be on 18 June.

ISU is proposing to undergo a major restructuring.

Here is the summary info:

At the most recent Council Meetings, Proposals by Members for the 2010 Congress Agenda were reviewed. This input, plus Council re-consideration of certain Proposals has resulted in important modifications to prior versions of the Council Proposals. The Council appreciates the careful attention of the Members to specific issues, as well as the general comments received from Members.

The final Council Proposals on this Agenda differ from prior versions in these principal respects:

• deletion of a proposed Executive Committee in favour of ad hoc duty assignments by the Council;
• dropping from consideration a reduction in the number of elected members of the TCs;
• adding specific restrictions upon the extraordinary powers of the Council (US proposal);
• increasing the role of the Vice-Presidents (Russian proposal);
• providing the possibility that the appointed member of a TC may be of the same nationality as one of the elected member (Italian Proposal);
• and including Technical Controllers as persons qualified for election to the TC (Canadian proposal).

As a result of the above, if the Council Proposals are adopted by the Congress effective immediately (Constitution Article 1, paragraph 2) as a package, inconsistent Member proposals on the Agenda will be deleted and removed from Congress consideration to shorten an already very-long Agenda.

Also proposed is:
• a shorter Congress (4 days) held at 4 year intervals (in June after each OWG) with a Member’s Conference of fewer participants held 2 years after each Congress. The quadrennial Congress Agenda will be composed of proposed amendments to the Constitution, By-Laws, General Regulations and Special Regulations. Only the Council and Members may propose such amendments to the Congress. The Technical Committees and Sports Directors may suggest such amendments to the Council for possible adoption as Proposals to the Congress.

Next there is the constitution including the proposed changes.
Then, the proposals are listed starting on page 51.

Constitution Proposals (FS = figure skating federation)

1. Finland FS: Add Office Holders in the Organization of the ISU – xiii)Marketing Director and xiv) Public Relations and Communication Director
Council NOT in favor

2. Serbia: Only those representatives of Members may attend who have been duly nominated by Members.
Council NOT in favor

3. Canada FS: During the Congress any Member can request debate on to a specific change in the Technical Rules as proposed by the respective Technical Committee and approved by the Sports Directorate.
Reason: To allow any technical rule change to be debated using positive language, which should lead to less confusion in the voting process.
Council NOT in favor

4. Russia FS: Any objection put forward by a Member during the Congress to a change in the Technical Rules as proposed by the respective Technical Committee and approved by the respective Vice President Sports Directorate requires a second member to support the objection and subsequently a simple majority to become effective. Such objection may only propose not to accept the change, it cannot propose any amendment.
Council NOT in favor

5. USA FS: Term limits. Elected officials may serve for a maximum of three successive four-year terms.
Council IN favor, as long as each ISU office (president, VP, etc) is counted separately for term limits

6. Russia FS: Have the Technical Committees under the supervision of the corresponding Vice-President.
Council IN favor

7. Austria: The right to modify or the suspend of the applicability of any Rule has always been a privilege of the Members. The Members must be involved in the process and not just be informed of decisions taken by the Council.
Council NOT in favor , see proposal 9

8. Russia FS: The right to modify or suspend the applicability of any Rules is always a privilege of the Members. Only the Congress may take decisions on general aspects of ISU Rules and the Council should not have the power to change the decision of the Congress.
Council NOT in favor, see proposal 9

9. USA FS: Define what "exceptional circumstances" means when the Council acts alone to change Rules, etc. without the Congress' (and Members) approval/input.
Council IN favor, included in Restructuring proposal.

10. Russia FS: similar to proposal 6. Included in Restructuring proposal.

11. Serbia: stuff about the sports director...

12. USA FS: Singles and Pairs FS technical committee needs more members because they have more officials and events to oversee than Dance and Synchro committees.
Council NOT in favor

13. Italy: Within one Committee the members must be of different nationalities and ISU Members except for the Skater and/or Coach appointed who may have the same nationality as one of the elected Committee members.
Council IN favor

14. Canada FS: Only persons named in the current lists of ISU Referees, ISU Controllers or ISU Judges are eligible for election to the four positions in the Committees for Single and Pair Skating, Ice Dance or Synchronized Skating and then only in the respective branch;
Reason: To more formally allow the expertise of the technical panel to be reflected in the composition of the technical committee.
Council IN favor

15. Croatia FS: more stuff about who can be on technical committees. Council NOT in favor.

16. Russia FS: similar to proposal 6. Included in Restructuring proposal.

17. Canada FS: Include non-mathematical criteria when the Officials’ Assessment Commission (OAC) identifies Referee and Judging anomalies.
Council IN favor

18. Finland FS: Include decisions taken by Technical Panels in the OAC's work.
Council IN favor, see restructuring.

19. Serbia: restrict OAC membership to referees only.
Council NOT in favor, need judges in the OAC for figure skating.

20. USA speed: 21 day advanced notice of any rule changes for competitors.
Council NOT in favor

21. France: convene workshops outside of Congress meetings.
Council NOT in favor, new restructuring gets rid of workshops.

22. Serbia: Get rid of workshops. Too to attend.
Council IN favor, see restructuring.

23. Canada FS: Allow the financial report (item 15) to happen in advance of any consideration of proposals so that the financial reality of the union can be properly considered in the debate of proposals.
Council IN favor, see restructuring.

24. Canada FS: Allow any technical rule change to be debated using positive language, which should lead to less confusion in the voting process.
Council NOT in favor, new restructuring puts technical rule changes under the Council.

25. Russia FS: similar to proposal 6. Included in Restructuring proposal.

Next, I will outline the rule change proposals.

[literaryfreak]

So for ice dance, there is a Pattern Dance AND a Short Dance, in addition to the Free Dance?

[HisWeirness]

Rules/Regulations Proposals

26. ISU: Add World Team Trophy (WTT) and Synchro Jr. World Challenge Cup to the list of official "ISU Events." This list already includes ISU Championships and the GP and JGP.

27. ISU: Members shall have the obligation to inform the ISU immediately in case that a Skater or official, who has taken part in international activities as an eligible person, becomes ineligible.
The ISU wants to get notice from the member (federations) is someone is ineligible/retired.

28. ISU: Trademarks - clarify that trademarks worn by skaters during official pre-competition warmups (i.e. the six minute warm up) are allowed and restricted based on Rule 102.

29. Finland FS: increase the number of allowed trademarks from 2 to 4 to increase sponsorship
Council IN favor

30. ISU: annual fees....

31. USA FS: TV rights - clarify TV rights for ISU events versus domestic events.
Council NOT in favor, likes the old wording better

32. France: Put federations in charge of overseeing internet gambling on events.
Council NOT in favor, does not want to get involved in betting activities

33. USA speed: Speed skating TV stuff.

34. Finland FS: change the name of the Synchro Jr. World Challenge Cup to the World Jr. Synchro Skating Champs.
Council NOT in favor, added this comp to ISU events.

35. ISU: Add language about Youth Olympic Games and WTT to Rule 107.

36. ISU: Eliminate Short track team worlds.

37. Finland FS: Only ISU sanctioned comps should be on ISU calendar. Only members (federations) can enter skaters in sanctioned comps.
Council NOT in favor, provision already in Rule 109.

38. France: have an ISU Syncro World Cup (novice, jr, sr) Series
Council NOT in favor

39. France: add a "juvenile" competition category.
Council NOT in favor

40. France: change wording about Adult comps.
Council NOT in favor

41. France: international comps for disabled skaters
Council NOT in favor, not their area of expertise

42. France: Age limits for figure skating. Change ages for novice, create ages for juvenile comps.
Council NOT in favor.

43. ISU: Age limits.

a) The word “Senior” is used in this Rule and in the ISU Statutes to describe participation in certain events/competitions that have a minimum age entry requirement of fifteen (15) years, determined in each instance by the birthday of the Skater that occurs before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant competition.
b) “Senior” shall not be used in the title of any ISU Event. The official title of the ISU Event is that title stated in a specific ISU directive such as the ISU Communication announcing allotments by the Council, the relevant Memorandum, or the Official ISU Trade name and Trademark Guide.
...
For all ISU sport disciplines when a Junior of 15 years reached before July 1st, has competed twice in total in Senior events, even in different seasons, the Skater cannot compete any more in Junior events/competitions.
For the determination of the applicable two Senior events permitted the following applies: all Senior major events (ISU Championships, ISU Team Events, Olympic Winter Games) count each for one participation of the two max. permitted, but ISU Grand Prix Series and Final, ISU World Cup Speed Skating and ISU World Cup Short Track
Speed Skating, regardless of participation in more than one competition forming a series, shall be considered as one participation only.
For Pairs and Ice Dance the conditions above governing participation in Senior events and limiting return to Junior events are valid, but in case of change of partner the participation in previous Senior competition/s will not count.

Age limits for figure skating.

a) Senior
In ISU Senior Championships, ISU Senior Grand Prix of Figure Skating and Final, International Senior Competitions and the Olympic Winter Games only Skaters may compete who have reached the age of fifteen (15) before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant event/competition. For exceptions see item c) of this paragraph.

b) Junior
i) A Junior is a Skater who has reached the age of thirteen (13) but not the age of eighteen (18) before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant event/competition.
ii) In ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships and ISU Synchronized World Challenge Cup for Juniors, only Junior Skaters may compete who have reached the age of fourteen (14) but not the age of eighteen (18) before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant event/competition.
iii) International Junior Competitions are open only to age-eligible Junior Skaters. Sub-groups are permitted with the approval of the Council.

c) Pair Skating and Ice Dance (Pairs and Couples)
What in this paragraph 3 related to these two sport disciplines, with the exception of the Novice category, becomes effective as of the season 2011/12 – for the season 2010/11 the age limits for Pair Skating and Ice Dance as per Rule 108, paragaraph 2 of the 2008 General Regulations apply.
Exclusively for Pairs and Couples the following special age Rule is applicable. Between two Skaters it is permitted a difference of age so that Skaters of thirteen or fourteen years can form a Pair or Couple with a Skater of eighteen or nineteen years (therefore no longer Junior). Provided they are qualified and entered by their Member according to ISU Rules, these Pairs/Couples can take part in any ISU Events and International Competitions with the exclusion of all Junior events/competitions, the Olympic Winter Games and YOG for which specific age limits are imposed.

d) Novice:
i) A Novice is a Skater who, before the July 1st immediately preceding the relevant competition, has reached the age of ten (10) but not the age of thirteen (13).
ii) In International Novice Competitions, subgroups are permitted with the approval of the Council.
iii) A Novice Skater in Pairs or Ice Dance may compete in a Junior Competition with a Junior partner if that partner is age-eligible to compete in the relevant competition as a Junior.

Synchro age limits are similar to the other FS limits.

5. Special Categories for All Disciplines
It is evident that some Skaters who reach the upper age limit for Juniors require further improvement (through training
and competition) to compete effectively with more seasoned Skaters.
Accordingly, Skaters of an age exceeding Junior age may be assigned to one of two Special Categories (SC) titled: SC1
and SC2. Such assignment is made by each Skater’s respective Member association if approved by the relevant ISU
Technical Committee.
It is foreseen that at national level elite Skaters of a Member aged 18, 19 will be assigned to SC1, those aged 20, 21, 22
to category SC2 and can take part in all International Competitions, ISU Events and Olympic Winter Games, provided
they are qualified and entered by their Member/NOC according to the ISU/IOC Rules Age reached before the July 1st
immediately preceding the relevant competition.
In Pairs and Ice Dance, Skaters of age for SC1 or SC2 can participate with a partner of Junior age in competitions open
to the mentioned categories SC1 or SC2, but the Pair or Couple having one Junior Skater cannot skate in Junior
competitions.
Organizers may organize events/competitions that permit all entered Skaters in categories SC1 and SC2 to compete
with the other entered Skaters. The results for the Special Categories, however, may be separately reported for
statistical purposes.

more to come.

[HisWeirness]

Rules/Regulations proposals continued.

44. Russia FS: change senior age limit to 14 from 15 so the age limit is consistent across all international comps including ISU Champs.
Council NOT in favor, see new age rule proposal from ISU.

45. Russia FS: reduce upper junior ages from 19 to 18 in singles and from 21 to 19 for men in pairs/couples.
Council NOT in favor, see new age rule proposal from ISU.

46. Russia FS: Introduce international Novice age limits and comps.
Council NOT in favor, see new age rule proposal from ISU.

47. France: synchro age limits....
Council NOT in favor, see new age rule proposal from ISU.

48. ISU: "The AZE Rule" (my words, not theirs )

The Council may also reject an application from a Member for a permission that a Skater who has or had foreign citizenship may compete for that Member, although the formalities and requirements stated in this rule have been met, if in the opinion of the Council granting such application would be contrary to the purpose and spirit of the rule. (E.g. in case that a Member tries to “import” several athletes with foreign citizenship , in particular when such athletes should form a new national team of such Member or its substantial part.)
Reason: Some Members, instead of educating their own Skaters, have repeatedly tried to "import" foreign Skaters and grant them in some kind of extraordinary and speedy proceeding citizenship of the country of that Member in order that the Member may be represented in international competitions and ISU Events.
Such actions are contrary to the purpose and spirit of rule 109 which is to make it possible for Skaters, who for serious and genuine reasons have to change their citizenship or permanent residence, to continue to compete.

49. France: Stop sending hard copies to the ISU of competition annoucements.
Council IN favor

50. Ice Dance TC: update language in Rule 112 to reflect the new Pattern Dance (replace CD) and Short Dance (replace OD).
Council IN favor

51. ISU: Implement consistent procedure for dealing with late entries.

52. France: Add wording to allow entrance fees for international competitions that are not ISU events.
Council IN favor, but change ISU events to ISU champs

53. Finland FS: keep close relatives for serving technical/judging roles for the same segment of a competition.
Council NOT in favor, already sufficient wording in Rule 121

54. USA FS: conflict of interests for ISU office holders... ISU Council will further evaluate this.

55. Ice Dance TC: update language in Rule 123 to reflect the new Pattern Dance (replace CD) and Short Dance (replace OD).
Council IN favor

56. France: similar to proposal 49. Council IN favor.

57. ISU: about announcement copies.

58. ISU (Drafting Matter): OAC members at a FS championship are appointed by the ISU President.

59. Japan: In World Junior Figure Skating Championships the only Skaters who did not participate in European Championships or Four Continents Championships in relevant ISU skating season are eligible to compete. Too much stress to do both.
Council NOT in favor. See age limits to restrict Junior/Senior overlap.

60. ISU: Make sure that skaters have cleared the internet rights as well for their program music and choreo (in addition to performance and TV rights).

[Imperfect Edge]

I disagree with the age restriction changes - they will hamper/discourage 'late developers' and weaker skating nations. Dont mind the restriction limiting juniors competing in Senior events too. And by bringing down the age limit for boys ... you are penalising the girls who will be forced to skate senior before their time as most have older partners.

The qualifying round is probably a good idea if we are to accept these reduced free skate numbers.

I dont understand what the proposals are for ice dance in terms of the compulsory/original replacement?

[kirkbiggestfan]

Now Kevin Renolds can do both of his quads in the short program

Can he do steps into his quads?
I wonder if Joubert may go for the quad sal in the short too.

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

So, they're replacing the CD with the pattern dance and the OD with the short dance and there's still gonna be a FD?

I thought the purpose of getting rid of the CD was to cut down ice dance to only 2 segments.

[Debbie S]

So for ice dance, there is a Pattern Dance AND a Short Dance, in addition to the Free Dance?

My understanding is that the new segment will be called the Short Dance, and that will consist of a set pattern dance (the CD) and additional required elements that will make up the optional portion.

I also noticed that there is a rule that dancers can not be separated for more than 5 secs in the Short Dance, except at the beginning and end. Was this a rule for the OD?

[caseyedwards]

Can he do steps into his quads?
I wonder if Joubert may go for the quad sal in the short too.

Steps into a quad would be hard. I don't know.

[gkelly]

I also noticed that there is a rule that dancers can not be separated for more than 5 secs in the Short Dance, except at the beginning and end. Was this a rule for the OD?

Well, not for the no-touching midline step sequence .

[poths]

3. For Senior-level championships, skaters/teams need to achieve a minimum score in either the current or previous season to be able to even go - for Men, it's 40 in the SP, 70 in the FS; Ladies - 30 in the SP, 50 in the FS; Pairs - 35 in the SP, 60 in the FS; Dance - 20 CD, 35 OD, 55 FD. I guess this might save us from skaters who can't land double jumps.

Clara Peters' 'career' over before it begun

[HisWeirness]

Rules/Regulations proposals continued.

61. Finland speed/FS: competition declaration form changes.
Council IN favor

62. ISU (Drafting Matter): speed skating stuff.

63. ISU: Award of Medals.
Synchro medals at Worlds only for skaters who participated in at least one segment of competition.
Get rid of "small" medals at ISU figure skating championships.

64. Ice Dance TC: more short dance rewording stuff for award of medals.
Council is getting rid of small medals so it does not matter.

65. France and 66. Japan: more hard copies of results issues.

67. ISU: Competition Expenses. Make changes from Communication 1562 and improve wording.

68. Russia FS: Extend how long expenses are covered for Officials at competitions so they can improve their expertise by seeing other events.
Council NOT in favor

69: Russia FS: competitor expenses, let all competitor expenses be paid through the exhibition.
Council NOT in favor

70. ISU: manage judges expenses, limit number of nominated judges to 3 from each member.

71-160 are speed skating proposals.

[overedge]

Thanks, HisWeirness!

1. Finland FS: Add Office Holders in the Organization of the ISU – xiii)Marketing Director and xiv) Public Relations and Communication Director
Council NOT in favor

How shortsighted. If any organization needs some professional advice on marketing and PR, it would be the ISU.

23. Canada FS: Allow the financial report (item 15) to happen in advance of any consideration of proposals so that the financial reality of the union can be properly considered in the debate of proposals.

The ISU has financial reports? Seriously, who knew? I'd sure like to see one of these.

[SamuraiK]

There's sooo much to digest right now. I spent like 3 hours reading all and still Im unclear about lots of stuff , specially the new Short Dance..


Overall this new proposals arent as whacky as I thought they would be but I hate that there are so many of them included in one single rule so the voting will come as a package. For example, I really like the new proposal of skaters that already competed internationally twice as seniro can not go to Jr. Worlds but I really dont like the restriction to only 18 years for all Pair/Dance boys but since both proposals are within the same rule it's all or nothing. I wouldnt want to be a member representative for sure.

[HisWeirness]

161. France: the required elements and the Scales of Values should be both included in the same Technical Rule.

162. ISU: Random draw for JGPF judges, from Communication 1535.

163. Austria FS: Eliminate random draw of judges, use the marks of all judges on the panel.

164. Canada FS: Remove secret-random draw process from the selection of judges.

165. Russia FS: Have 9 judges on panel plus one substitute. Have all 9 scores count, but maintain anonymity of judges.

166. USA FS: Allow all judges scores to count after a trim of the high and low score. Require 12 judges and one substitute judge at major competitions.

167. Ice Dance TC: Update language with Pattern Dance (prescribed dance) and Short Dance (prescribed rhythm). The Short Dance and Free Dance must be included in all ISU Championships, the Olympic Winter Games and in ISU Grand Prix events (Senior and Junior). Separate International Senior Competitions in Free Dance only may be organized.

168. France: similar to 161.

169. France: similar to 167.

170. Ice Dance TC: update names of dances.

171. Ice Dance TC: Composition of Ice Dance events.

ISU Championships, Olympics, and ISU Grand Prix (Senior and Junior) dance events shall consist of Short Dance and Free Dance

International Competitions in Ice Dance shall consist of:

• Short Dance and Free Dance,
• Pattern Dance and Free Dance, or
• Free Dance (Senior only).

172. Canada FS: similar to 171, but includes that Junior events be a CD and a FD.

While we completely agree with the position for the Senior level (and have advocated such for many years) this proposal will allow compulsory dances continue to play a vital and viable competition role for developmental ice dancers.

173. France: Same as Canada 172.

174. Tech Committee (TC): add exception for technical specialists.

175. Tech Comm: Require Senior and Junior Grand Prix Final and Olympic Qualifying Competition judges to be ISU judges.

176. Canada FS: modify rule language in preparation of elimination of secret-random judges scores draw.

177., 178., 179., 180., and 181. Ice Dance TC: add new dances to rules.

182. Canada FS: Clarify how the trimmed mean for judges scores is calculated.

183. SPS (single and pairs skating) TC: Jump combinations are evaluated as one unit by adding the base values of the jumps included, multiplying the result by 1.1 and after that applying the GOE with the numerical value of the most difficult jump.
Reason: to give more credit to jump combinations which are more difficult than the included jumps in isolation.

184. SPS, Ice Dance, Synchro TC: Delete bonus in Rule 353 (An innovative element, movement or transition may be granted with a special bonus of two (2) points. This bonus can only be obtained once for a program) because it has never been used up to now.
Also to have the same values for Combination Lift as for the two Short Lifts in Ice Dance.

185., 186., 187., and 188. Denmark/Finland/Norway/Sweden: multiply base values (not GOE) of jumps/throws/lifts after 2 minutes (2 min 20 sec for pairs) in the short program by 1.1

Wow, there are 134 proposals to go.

189. ISU: Change the deduction for costume and prop violations as follows:
- costume and prop violation – 3.0 per violation; (singles and pairs)

Add the deduction for music violation and change the deduction for costume and prop violations as follows (ice dance)
- violation of music restrictions (Free Dance) – 3.0;
- costume and prop violation – 3.0;
- part of the costume/decoration fall on the ice – 1.0

Reason: to avoid to draw the public’s attraction more towards the costume than the performance, to stay within a proper sport character; the increase of deductions should reflect the severity of violation.

190. SPS TC: Delete the following from Rule 353 1 m ii:
- deduction of -2.0 will be applied when appropriate in case of a fresh start (see Rule 551);
Reason: though the goal of applying this deduction is quite fair, a decision to stop competitor(s) which will be followed by a serious deduction, seems a too big pressure on the Referees; the Judges however will be advised that a “fresh start” might negatively influence the Components scores.

191. Italy: remove the 1.0 point vocal music deduction for singles and pairs.
Vocal music is not allowed so why deduct for using it, inconsistent.

192. Ice Dance TC: Program Component Factors for Ice Dance
i) The panel’s points for each Program Component are then multiplied by factors which are as follows:

Pattern Dance

• Skating Skills 0.75
• Performance 0.50
• Interpretation 0.50
• Timing 0.75

Short Dance

• Skating Skills 0.80
• Transitions/Linking Footwork/Movements 0.80 0.70
• Performance/Execution 0.60 0.70
• Composition/Choreography 0.60 0.80
• Interpretation/Timing 1.00

Free Dance – not changed.

193. Ice Dance TC: new dance language change.

194. France: For the Original and Free Dance only: if a stumble or fall causes in case interruptions to the program due to one or both partners’ mistake that exceed 5 seconds, an additional deduction will be applied as follows:
-1.0 (for 6-15 seconds interruption) and -2.0 (for 16-30 seconds interruption)
Reason: interruptions by the Skaters’ mistake can be caused by other reasons than stumble or fall.

195. Ice Dance TC: new dance language change.

196. USA FS: Factored segment scores rounded to two decimal places before calculation continues.

197. Ice Dance TC: new dance language change.

198. ISU: Clarification of placements and results publication in the case of withdrawals and disqualifications between competition segments.

199. ISU Council: Clarify tie-breaking rules using wording from Communication 1535.

200. Ice Dance TC: new dance language change.

201. France: move from hard to electronic copies.

202. Japan: move from hard to electronic copies.

203. Ice Dance TC: If possible, ISU Ice Dance Championships should be completed within a maximum period of four (4) three (3) consecutive days.

204. Canada FS: same as 203.