Adult figure skating


Adult figure skating is a term used by skating organizations to refer to tests and competitions for amateur ice skaters over 21. The category was originally aimed at skaters who had taken up the sport as adults, but more recently has expanded to include adult skaters performing and competing at an 'elite' level, many of whom had skated competitively as children or adolescents. Adults who are learning to skate without prior experience are also included. In addition, a "Young Adult" category has been added to many Adult events.

United States

was the earliest sport governing body to codify tests and competition standards for adult skating.
Adult freeskate tests were introduced in the mid-1996s, and adult moves in the field tests followed in 2002.

Testing

Standard track tests are open to skaters of any age, but because adults who take up skating have more limitations than young beginners, the U.S. Figure Skating introduced special tests for this category. The tests have roughly the same elements as the standard track Pre-Preliminary through Juvenile, but with a more relaxed judging standard and some moves rearranged.
There are both moves in the field and freeskate tests at the following levels:
Skaters must pass the moves in the field test before testing the corresponding freeskate test.
There is also an adult component to ice dancing and pair skating tests.
Beginning with the pre-bronze dances, adult skaters may switch to the adult track or masters track.
Adult and masters dance tests are identical to standard tests, but do not require the tester to also perform a solo pattern of the dance, and the tester is marked on a lower passing average. Preliminary dances are tested standard track.
Adult Pairs tests are the Adult Bronze, Adult Silver and Adult Gold.

Competitions

For competitions, skaters are grouped in events by age.. In May 2014, the age ranges in US Figure Skating were changed to the following:
Age ClassificationAge Range
I21–35 years old
II36–45 years old
III46–55 years old
IV56–65 years old
V66+ years old

Many Adult events now include a "Young Adult" category for skaters from 18 – 20 years old.
U.S. Figure Skating has four official adult competitions: Eastern, Midwestern, and Pacific Coast Sectionals, and the U.S. Adult Championships. Adult Sectionals offer qualifying events called "Championship," which are required events for skaters attempting to qualify to compete in the Championship events at Adult Nationals. The top four skaters in each Championship event qualify for the Championship event at Nationals. Other non-qualifying events are also held at Sectionals. Prior to the creation of Sectionals in the late 1990s, adult skaters had their events at standard regional competitions.
The U.S. Adult Championships includes the Championship events, as well as open Adult level events and Masters level events. Along with the freeskate events, pairs, dance, solo dance, and showcase events are held. The Showcase events are split between Artistic/Dramatic and Light Entertainment for each level. All Championship and Gold or higher events are scored using the ISU Judging System. All other events, including Showcase, are scored with the 6.0 judging system.
Skaters who have passed the standard track Intermediate freeskate or 2nd figure test must compete at the Masters level. Masters levels include: Masters Intermediate, Masters Novice, Masters Junior, Masters Senior, Championship Intermediate/Novice, and Championship Junior/Senior.
List of US Adult Figure Skating Championships
YearLocationDatesResults
2020Newark, DEApril 14 - 18, 2020Canceled
2019Salt Lake City, UTApril 3 - 6, 2019
2018Marlborough, MAApril 11 - 14, 2018
2017Wake Forest, NCApril 18 - 22, 2017
2016Ann Arbor, MIApril 5 - 9, 2016
2015Salt Lake City, UTApril 14 - 18, 2015
2014Hyannis, MAApril 8 - 12, 2014
2013Scottsdale, AZApril 9 - 13, 2013
2012Bensenville, ILApril 10 - 14, 2012
2011Salt Lake City, UTApril 12 - 16, 2011
2010Bloomington, MNApril 13 - 17, 2010
2009Grand Rapids, MIApril 22 - 15, 2009
2008Lake Placid, NYApril 9 - 12, 2008
2007Bensenville, ILApril 11 - 14, 2007
2006Dallas, TXMarch 29 - April 1, 2006
2005Overland Park, KSApril 13 - 16, 2005
2004Lake Placid, NYApril 14 - 18, 2004
2003Ann Arbor, MIApril 9 - 12, 2003
2002Ann Arbor, MIApril 3 - 6, 2002
2001Marlborough, MAApril 25–29, 2001
2000Lake Placid, NYApril 13–16, 2000
1999Ann Arbor, MIApril 8–11, 1999
1998Oakland, CAApril 16–19, 1998
1997Lake Placid, NYApril 17–20, 1997
1996Lake Placid, NYApril 18–21, 1996
1995Wilmington, DEApril 20–23, 1995

Several clubs host all-adult competitions throughout the skating year. These include:
CompetitionLocationClubFirst HeldUsually Held
Peach ClassicDuluth, GA Georgia FSC1997September
Halloween ClassicAston, PA IceWorks SC2004November
New Year's InvitationalAshburn, VA Washington FSC2002January or February
Deborah Burgoyne North American InvitationalWyandotte, MI Wyandotte FSC2003February

Many clubs include Adult events in their standard track competitions.
There are also some other lists that are kept of the

Canada

Adult skating in Canada did not have a national event until Skate Canada started the first Canadian adult championships in March 2004. The first Skate Canada Adult Championships were held in Burnaby, BC. In 2007 Calgary hosted the Championships with just over 120 competitors in ladies freeskate, men's freeskate, ladies interpretive, men's interpretive, compulsory dances, freedance and pairs. The CPC scoring method used is similar to the ISU system, with adjustments for STARskaters and AdultSkaters. The CPC also has a method of recording marks for interpretive programs.
Competitors do not have to qualify to enter the championship as the competition is still new and the numbers applying are not high enough to warrant preselection.
Canadian adult skaters take the same tests as juvenile StarSkaters. The levels of competition are Adult Bronze, Adult Silver, Adult Gold, Masters Novice, Masters Junior and Masters Senior Due to the small number of skaters at the Masters level, Masters Skaters usually get grouped together in competition. Interpretive skating starts in Pre-Introductory, Introductory, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Dance has Preliminary, Junior Bronze, Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Senior Silver, Gold and Diamond levels in compulsory dances. Currently Freedance is an open event. Pairs is also an open event due to low enrollments.
Some Canadian adult skaters compete in the US and/or overseas; Germany, France, Russia, Switzerland and Estonia.

International Competitions

There are also some other lists that are kept of the

Inter-club

Several clubs host annual adult-only competitions attended by skaters from several countries. These competitions use similar levels and age ranges as those used in the U.S. They include:
CompetitionLocationClubFirst HeldUsually Held
Le Coupe de la Montagne Villard-de-Lans, FranceClub de danse sur glace
Villard-de-Lans		1999May or June
Vana Tallinn TrophyTallinn, EstoniaSC Põhjatäht2004May or June
Peach ClassicDuluth, GA, USAGeorgia FSC1997September
Dune of Flanders Cup Dunkerque, FranceDunkerque Patinage2000November/December
French Cup France:fr:Fédération française des sports de glace|FFSG 2007March/April
Druids Cup Francerolling?January

The French Cup is a non-qualifying event, open to international skaters. The first competition took place in Le Havre, then Bordeaux, and Limoges. In 2010, it will take place in Besançon.

ISU

The International Skating Union held the first in Oberstdorf, Germany June 10–12, 2005. The ISU event has slightly different age ranges than used in the other adult-only competitions. The minimum age is 28 and the maximum age is 71.
ISU Adult Age ClassificationAge Range
I28–37 years old
II38–47 years old
III48–57 years old
IV58–71 years old

List of ISU Adult Competitions with links to results
YearLocationDatesResults
2021Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 9- 15, 2021
2020Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 17- 23, 2020
2019Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 19- 25, 2019http://www.deu-event.de/results/adult2019/index.htm
2018Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 14- 19, 2018http://www.deu-event.de/results/adult2018/index.htm
2017Vancouver, CanadaAugust 21 - 26, 2017
2017Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 22 - 27, 2017
2016Vancouver, CanadaAugust 28 - Sept. 2, 2016
2016Oberstdorf, GermanyJune 13 - 18, 2016
2015Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 18 - 23, 2015
2014Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 27 - June 1, 2014
2013Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 15 - 18, 2013
2012Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 22 - 26, 2012
2011Oberstdorf, GermanyJune 8 - 11, 2011
2010Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 19 - 22, 2010
2009Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 28 - 31, 2009
2008Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 29 - June 1, 2008
2007Oberstdorf, GermanyMay 24 - 27, 2007
2006Oberstdorf, GermanyJune 1 - 3, 2006
2005Oberstdorf, GermanyJune 10 - 12, 2005