Vacationland Figure Skating Club

Competition and test forms are always available in the Junior & Senior Club Locker Room upstairs in the Civic Center.  There are packets ready for you to take.  Competitions are lots of fun and are a fabulous learning experience.  There are several basic skills competitions throughout the year and these are a great way to get started.  They are geared to be low pressure and a fun experience for your child.  There are many formats but there are some competitions that take groups of skaters on the ice so the skaters do not need a program and are not required to be on the ice alone.  Frequently, several skaters from our club go to the same competition so we provide our own cheering section, not to mention a helping hand if you need it!  

The competition packet provides descriptions of all the events offered and any special instructions. Your coach will go over any details but it is always a good idea to read the packet. In there you may find discount hotel options, info on awards, vendors available such as videography and photography, maps and directions and other useful information. Some competitions have a host motel. While you're never required to stay there sometimes it's fun to be where there are a lot of skaters. Some times our club will obtain blocks of rooms, if so we will let all competitors know. Fees for registration vary. Generally Basic Skills are less expensive than regular. The fee for the first event is usually somewhere between $75 to $90. Then the fees for each subsequent event are less, usually from $30 to $50. Sometimes programs are available for purchase at around $3 to $5. It is best if you purchase one so you can keep track of what event is on the ice but it is not required.

Your registration form will require signatures. Typically yours as well as your coach and a club officer or board member. Please allow enough time to obtain all the required signatures prior to the due date! A competition may or may not allow late entrants and if they do, there's usually an added fee.   If you have questions feel free to contact your coach/instructor.

If you want the latest info on competitions and test sessions the TCFSA (Twin Cities Figure Skating Association) is always a good resource.  They post a calendar that contains most of the competitions in the state.  See the link below.

 Skaters receive points for participating in competitions.  New for 2012 criteria Basic Skills competitions will earn fewer points than regular competitions.  Please see page 2 of the full 2012 Criteria under either the Jr Club or Sr Club sections of this website.

This is a series of 3 competitions

St Cloud   12.12.10

Willmar   1.15.11

Alexandria  3.19.11

Please go to this link Central MN Basics Series for forms and information

As a general rule, skates should be sharpened one month prior to a competition, show, etc.  Talk to your coach.  NEVER sharpen skates immediately before any performance.  Most prefer 3-5 weeks prior but this will depend on your skill level and how often you skate.  Your coach can help you decide what is best for your situation!

Skates may be left in the ToePic for sharpening for a small fee.  Most skate shops offer sharpening.  Please be VERY CAREFUL where you have them sharpened.  The Civic Center and many sporting goods stores do not have the equipment to properly sharpen a figure skate.  A blade can be completely ruined with one improper sharpening!!     

Competitions are a great way for your skater to improve skills, build confidence and demonstrate what they have learned.  Most often there are several skaters from our club that attend so there is a sense of team work and pride in the club.  Contrary to what you may think, it doesn't have to be a lot of pressure.  The goal doesn't have to be to win but to skate your personal best.  If your skater is nervous or has the jitters talk to your coach.  They are experts at this and have tips and techniques to offer that will calm the spirit.  Competitions aren't for everyone but most skaters love it!  If you are considering your first one you may want to go watch one just for fun.  There are several "events" offered in each competition.  What you register for will be up to your coach.  There are Basic Skills and Regular competitions.  Each of these is explained in detail below....

For the beginning skater there are several Basic Skills competitions throughout the year. These are a great intoduction for your skater. Make sure that you have talked to a VFSC coach to determine what is best for your skater. There are several event options that you may register for. You may sign up for just one or several as you and your coach decide.

The first type are group type events. Several skaters are on the ice at the same time along with an assistant. The judges are usually sitting in chairs off the ice. The assistant will ask each skater to do a specific element, one at a time, based on that level. The other skaters wait in a line on the ice. All elements are listed in the registration packet, so you'll know exactly what to expect. When each element has been completed and each skater has had their turn, the assistant leads them off the ice. This is a very low pressure fun introduction to a competition experience.

The second type are individual events. The skater is alone on the ice and performs a short program. Depending on the event it may or may not have music. Some events are on a half sheet of the ice surface. While the skater must know some basic rules and have a program, it is still meant to be a fun low pressure experience.

Regular competitions are happening in or near the state of Minnesota about once a month. Coaches typically have a selection of the competitions they regularly attend. Some competitions combine Basic Skills in with the regular events. Or, to help bridge the gap, some offer events for pre-test levels such as "limited beginner" events. A pre-test (sometimes called no-test) skater is one that has not yet passed their first USFS (United States Figure Skating) test of pre-preliminary. A skater may have several event options such as freeskate, compulsory, jumps, spins, artistic, interpretive, etc. All of those listed, with the exception of interpretive, require a program. Interpretive is an event where the skater hears the music for the first time about 30 minutes prior to taking the ice. They must "wing it" and put together a program in that time frame with no assistance from coaches or parents. An artistic program stresses mood, feeling and costuming more so than technical elements. A freeskate program stresses technical ability but is skated to music. Compulsory, jumps and spins do not have music and are on a half sheet of ice for the lower test levels. You must register at your skaters test level or some allow one level above but never below, your skaters test level. Your regisration level and event options are up to your coach.

You will need to bring a CD of  your skaters music to turn in at registration.  Please ensure that it is in good condition, free of scratches and skips.  Have a back up copy in case there's a problem.  Most competitions specify the type of CD they will accept.  Generally they will not take CD-RW for compatability reasons.  Details will be in the registration packet.

Sign up for practice ice as soon as possible.  While it is not required it helps your skater adapt to a different rink, strange surroundings and the feel of the ice.  It generally is not included in the price of your registration and is a seperate registration entirely.  Fees run from $10 to $15 for 20 to 30 minutes.  If there are multiple rinks try to get practice ice on the same sheet of ice as the skaters freeskate event.  This isn't always possible.  Also coordinate practice ice with your coaches schedule.  If your coach has several students going she may prefer a particular session to spread out the number of students on each session.

The best way to have a positive experience is to be prepared.  If you're ready for a seam rip in a dress, a run in a tight or a headache it won't become a crisis.  Please see the Competition Check List for a detail listing of what to bring, anywhere from kleenex to money! 

Never be afraid to ask for help!  If you are new to competitions ask your coach or a veteran who's been there.  Sometimes your coach may be with other skaters.  Some of our coaches have several students that attend competitions at the same time.  If your coach isn't available chances are another club member is.

Book motel reservations as soon as possible.  Most competitions are large events and most families need motels.  Some cities just don't have enough accomidations for everyone.  When possible book a day before and after the compitition dates and cancel off as needed when you have an event schedule.  Make sure, before you do this, that you won't be charged a fee.

While most registration forms are due 2 months ahead of the competition dates, you may not receive your individual event times until a few days before.  While this is frustrating remember that there is a lot going on behind the scenes with the club hosting the event.  They are waiting on judges, USFS referree schedule approval, sanctions, etc.  Many times the delays are out of their hands.  It never hurts to check the host clubs' website.  While your skaters personal schedule will not be posted sometimes the event schedules will be and this can give you a rough idea of the dates and times.

Stop at the registration desk and pick up your skaters music.  Most competitions will not mail it back if you forget!

Buy results sheets.  These are a listing of the skaters in the event, their ordinals and order they placed.  If you are in Sr Club it's required to get your criteria points.  Even if you're not worried about that, results sheets are an excellent record of your skaters accomplishments.  Pay attention to the ordinals.  They are what each individual judge decided your skaters rank or place should be.  While a skater may get 3rd place, it could be a couple of the judges thought it should have been first and one thought it should have been 5th. 

Thank your coach.  Competitions are long, practice ice can be early and events can run late.  Chances are your coach has been on their feet for hours, not to mention days, with no break.  Most VFSC coaches have several students and it can be a juggle, especially if there are multiple sheets of ice.  No matter how your skater placed, let the coach know you appreciate their efforts!

Last but not least, tell your skater you're proud of them!