LMF2.011/15/17

U.S.FigureSkatingSkateForeverYoungAwardProgram

Version2.0

November2017

Draftedby:TerrylLeeAllen,ViceChairforCommunitySupportandDevelopment–AdultSkatingCommittee

LoriFussell,Chair–AdultSkatingCommitteeLisaInsley,Chair–SynchronizedSkatingCommittee

KarissaWoienski,FigureSkatingProgramsManager-U.S.FigureSkating

Editedby:JulieGidlow,AdultSkatingCommittee

AwardDesignby:StasiaBuffenbarger

LMF2.011/15/17

INTRODUCTION/RATIONALEU.S.FigureSkatingSkateForeverYoungAwardsaremedal-likeawardsgiventocompetitorsattheU.S.AdultChampionshipsandtheU.S.SynchronizedSkatingChampionshipswhoare71yearsofageandolder.Thepurposeoftheawardistoencourageandhonoradultfigureskaterswhohavethepassionandcouragetoskatecompetitivelyatagesthatarerarelyseenincompetitivesports,letalonetheU.S.AdultChampionshipsandtheU.S.SynchronizedSkatingChampionships.TheoldestageclassattheU.S.AdultChampionshipsisclassV,whichincludesallcompetitorswhoare66yearsofageandolder.TheU.S.AdultChampionshipsisoneofahandfulofcompetitionsintheworldthatisabletooffereventsfortheseolderskaters.Giventherealityofagingbodies,classVskatersarenotcompetitiveunlesstheyareskatingagainsttheirpeers.Andeventhen,olderclassVskatersareatadisadvantagewhenjudgedagainstyoungerclassVskaters.ThisprogramrecognizestheolderskatersinclassV(71yearsofageandolder),basedontheirageandparticipationattheU.S.AdultChampionships.AdultteamsattheU.S.SynchronizedSkatingChampionshipscompriseathletes21andolder(upto4teammembersmaybe18-20yearsold).MastersteamsattheU.S.SynchronizedSkatingChampionshipscompriseathletes25andolder,withthemajoritybeing30orolder.Itisatrueachievementforsomeone71oroldertocompeteonanadultormastersteamattheU.S.SynchronizedSkatingChampionships.U.S.FigureSkating’sAdultSkatingProgramdefinestheultimatesuccessincompetitiveadultfigureskatingasbeingphysicallyabletoskatecompetitivelyforalifetime,andwouldliketoofferincentivestocompetitiveadultfigureskaterstocontinuetocompeteatthemostadvancedages.Beingacompetitorat71yearsofageandolderisanaccomplishmentworthyofrecognitionbeyondjustfinalplacements.Theseskatersinspireallofus.Theyarelivingexamplesofwhatalifelongloveoffigureskatingcanbe!

AWARDDESCRIPTIONU.S.FigureSkatingSkateForeverYoungAwardsaremedal-likeawardsgiventoallcompetitorswhoare71andolderfortheirparticipationattheU.S.AdultChampionshipsandtheU.S.SynchronizedSkatingChampionships.Threelevelsofawardsareavailable,basedsolelyonageasofthecloseofentries.CompetitorsattheU.S.AdultChampionshipsandtheU.S.SynchronizedSkatingChampionshipswillreceiveoneSkateForeverYoungAward,pereventskated,asindicatedbelow:

• 71yearsto75yearsofage BronzeSkateForeverYoungAward• 76yearsto80yearsofage SilverSkateForeverYoungAward• 81yearsandolder GoldSkateForeverYoungAward

SkateForeverYoungAwardswillbepresentedatthemedalceremonyfortheeventinwhichtherecipientskated.