ISU Releases Communication #1677

The International Skating Union released ISU Communication #1677 with additional ice dance technical information. IDC has outlined some of the items of note below.

 

SHORT DANCE LEVELS

One major difference for short dance is the way that levels are figured on the pattern. Instead of 4 bullet points on each sequence, as on the waltzes last year, this year’s Latin dances only have three “key points.”

  • To get level one, the team must do 75% of the steps (both partners). If someone falls/stumbles and misses more than a quarter of the dance, there will be no level given.

  • Level 2 = 100% of the dance done + 1 key point done correctly

     

  • Level 3 = 100% of the dance + 2 key points

     

  • Level 4 = 100% of the dance + 3 key points

This is the same for both juniors and seniors. For juniors in the Cha Cha Congelado, the lady’s steps are part of 5 of the 6 key points (some are lady + man together). For the seniors doing the Rhumba, it’s equal and more streamlined. The lady and man are judged together on step 3, on both sequences of the pattern. They are also judged on steps 11-13 on both sequences, but on those steps, each partner’s steps count for a separate key point.

 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION & GOEs

There are multiple pages of technical information for levels and grades of execution.  Here are some bullet points:

  • The communication contains a lot of information on dance spins. A regular spin (not combination) can either include a change of direction or not; however, if a change of direction is included, the team must do two rotations in each direction to earn level 2 or higher. Overall, it seems like the ISU is trying to encourage diversity in variations.
  • Rules for step sequences are a little more strict. For example, if the difficult features for a step sequence are done and meet the requirements of a level 2 step sequence, but the difficult steps only make up 50% or less of the whole sequence, then the sequence drops to a level 1.


“UPLIFTING” IS BACK

  • On the interpretation/timing mark: if the music does not have an uplifting effect (free dance), the deduction should be -1 to -2.
  • On the composition/choreography mark: if there is a theme and it is not understandable to the audience (free dance), the deduction should be -1 to -2 as well. It’s worth noting that the rule says “IF” there is a theme, not that the program must have a theme.