IJS Event Practice Sessions

Following consultation, via the NISA web-site, with skaters, coaches, Technical Panel Officials and parents the results of the survey concerning length and cost of IJS Events are as follows:

71.4% of skaters,coaches and parents wished to retain practice sessions at the IJS Events but were in agreement that this was to get used to the ice pad and did not require the Technical Panel Officials to be present.

Only 30% of Technical Panel Officials wished to retain the practices in order to officiate during these sessions. It was acknowledged that the reduction in the length of the Event should increase the availability of these Officials.

Therefore the following structure will be implemented at Lee Valley in August 2008, to be followed by a subsequent review:

One Practice session will be available in advance of the short program (Singles/Pairs). Skaters should choose which program is to be performed.

One practice session will be available before the C.D and one before the F.D. for dancers.

SKATERS MUST INDICATE ON THEIR ENTRY FORM WHETHER THEY WISH TO SKATE WITHIN THE PRACTICE SESSIONS

The practice sessions will be structured as per ISU events subject to time and numbers registering for practice ice .i.e. skating order will reflect the draw order but not necessarily within the competition groupings, although where possible ISU maximum numbers per group will be adhered to.

Practice at any rink, other than within the official practice, is not allowed following the draw and any skater in breech of this rule will be disqualified from the Event.

Technical Panel Officials will not routinely attend practice sessions but, if they so wish, may make their own arrangements to attend.

NISA may require individual newly qualified Technical Panel Officials to attend for educational/training purposes.

A provisional schedule of events per day will be available as soon as ice times are confirmed. However it is envisaged that daily practice/competition hours will be longer than in previous events to facilitate the reduction in the length of the event as a whole.

It is confirmed that the British Championships January 2009 will continue to run with official practice sessions with Technical Panel Officials in attendance.

Elimination after each segment will follow ISU current procedure (2008/9) if time restrictions dictate.

Any ISU Congress changes will be implemented at the August IJS Event.