2009 U.S. qualifying competitions

If you're like me and need to know where and when regionals and sectionals will be held this year (not because you're going but because, like me, you have the awful need-to-know gene that you can't get rid of), look no further. For those unfamiliar, skaters compete in one of nine regionals (see above for how U.S. Figure Skating determines regions and here is a link to more detailed information). Those placing in the top four in their respective regional events then move onto sectionals. Those who place in the top four in their sectionals then go onto the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which will be held in Cleveland, Ohio from January 18-25, 2009.

2009 Regional Championships Information:

• New England Regional -- Event will be held in Kingston, MA, from October 2-5, 2008, hosted by the Yarmouth Ice Club
• Central Pacific Regional -- Event will be held in San Jose, CA, from October 2-5, 2008, hosted by the Peninsula Skating Club
• Southwestern Regional -- Event will be held in Colorado Springs, CO, from October 10-14, 2008, hosted by the Broadmoor Skating Club
• North Atlantic Regional -- Event will be held in Jamestown, NY, from October 10-14, 2008, hosted by the Jamestown Skating Club
• Eastern Great Lakes Regional -- Event will be held in Midland, MI, from October 10-14, 2008, hosted by the Midland Figure Skating Club
• Southwest Pacific Regional -- Event will be held in Anaheim, CA, from October 3-7, 2008, hosted by the Glacier Falls Figure Skating Club
• Upper Great Lakes Regional -- Event will be held in Richfield, MN, from October 14-18, 2008, hosted by the St. Paul Figure Skating Club
• South Atlantic Regional -- Event will be held in Aston, PA, from October 14-18, 2008, hosted by the Ice Works Skating Club
• Northwest Pacific Regional -- Event will be held in Jackson, WY, from October 14-18, 2008, hosted by the Jackson Hole Figure Skating Club

2009 Sectional Championships Information:

• Eastern Sectional -- Event will be held in Boston, MA, from November 11-15, hosted by the Skating Club of Boston
• Midwestern Sectional -- Event will be held in Sugar Land, TX, from November 11-15, hosted by the Texas Gulf Coast Figure Skating Club and the Houston Figure Skating Club
• Pacific Coast Sectional -- Event will be held in Scottsdale, AZ, from November 11-15, 2008, hosted by the Coyotes Skating Club of Arizona

2009 Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships Information:

• Eastern Sectional -- Event will be held in Morristown, NJ, from January 28-31, 2009, hosted by the Skating Club of Morris (Link to competition website)
• Midwestern/Pacific Coast Sectional -- Event will be held in Broomfield, CO, from January 28-31, 2009, hosted by the Rocky Mountain Figure Skating Club (Link to competition website)

2009 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Information:

• U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships -- Event will be held in Lake Placid, NY, from December 8-13, hosted by the Skating Club of Lake Placid. This event will crown the winners of singles (ladies & men), pairs and ice dancing in the first two levels of the standard track: juvenile and intermediate. Novice, junior and senior levels will all compete in Cleveland, Ohio. Skaters qualify for the Junior Figure Skating Championships by finishing in the top four at their respective regionals. Also, pairs and ice dancing only compete at sectionals.

As a reminder, for singles, a standard test track is as follows:

• Senior freestyle
• Senior moves in the field
• Junior freestyle
• Junior moves in the field
• Novice freestyle
• Novice moves in the field
• Intermediate freestyle
• Intermediate moves in the field
• Juvenile freestyle
• Juvenile moves in the field
• Pre-Juvenile freestyle
• Pre-Juvenile moves in the field
• Preliminary freestyle
• Preliminary moves in the field
• Pre-Preliminary freestyle
• Pre-Preliminary moves in the field

I know what you're thinking -- this is a lot to take in at one time! I felt that way too. It's best to spread it out over a nice pot of coffee or for us adult adults, a pitcher of margarita.

Comments

[Rebekah]

Thanks for this. Eventually if I have time I would like to go to one of these competitions. I think it is interesting to know how much these skaters go through to make it to nationals every year. And how many skaters actually try to get to nationals.