ISU NEWS in Speed Skating the Allround Championships took place in front of over 20000 spectators. The proposals for the upcoming ISU Congress are discussed in collaboration with the respective Technical Committees. In depth evaluation is under way in both disciplines in order to improve them and standardized the calendar for the 2014/15 season. A number of inspection visits for the 2015 Championships are scheduled to take place in the coming months. Finally a successful TV Workshop was held in Saitama (JPN) to discuss, offer and propose new ideas to improve the presentation of Figure Skating on television.
A demonstration by a professional Japanese dance company of next season’s requirement, the Spanish Dances was organized with the help of the Japan Skating Federation. Proposed rule changes for the ISU Congress and the requirements for next season were presented by the IDTC. An Educational DVD with “live examples” and “exercise examples” of Required Pattern Dance Key Points for the upcoming season for Junior and Senior Short Dance will be available to order on the ISU website. Finally an ISU Judges and Referees Seminar was held in Las Vegas (USA) at the end of April.
ISU TECHNICAL COMMITTEES
The Synchronized Skating Technical Committee (SySTC) has been busy with preparations for the Junior World Challenge Cup, ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships and the ISU Congress as well as preparing the requirements for next season. At the same time, the SySTC members have published the Element Requirements for next season and issued the proposals for the upcoming ISU Congress. An annual Trial Judging seminar was held in Rouen (FRA) during the 20th Anniversary edition of the French Cup. The ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships were held in Courmayeur (ITA) and marked the end of the ISU Championships season. An IOC representative attended the World Championships as an observer. The SySTC now concentrates on preparing for the ISU Congress as well as finalizing the Technical Requirements for the 2014/15 season.
Single and Pair Skating The Technical Committee members acted as Referees and Technical Controllers at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and at ISU Championships. Two Committee meetings were held during the Olympics and during the Worlds Championships in Saitama, Japan. The Committee evaluated the content and quality of almost 100 Referees and Technical Controllers Reports which also contained a number of suggestions relating to the ISU Judging System. These suggestions along with proposals made by ISU Members and Technical Committee members, ISU Rule change proposals for the ISU Congress 2014, preparation of the annual ISU Communication with changes for the season 2014/15 and amendments to the current Technical Panel Handbooks for the next season were the bulk of the Committee’s work. At the end of April the Technical Committee Members acted as Moderators at two Judges Seminars: ISU Sponsored Pair Judges Seminar in Berlin, Germany and Recognized Judges Seminar in Las Vegas, USA.
Ice Dance Members of the Ice Dance Technical Committee (IDTC) acted as Referees and Technical Controllers at the Olympic Winter Games and ISU Championships. The IDTC Members conducted meetings with Coaches at all ISU Championships in order to receive feedback in particular on suggestions of technical requirements for the coming seasons. The Annual IDTC meeting with Coaches, Officials and Skaters was organized in Tokyo (JPN).
Synchronized Skating
Speed Skating The Speed Skating Technical Committee (SSTC) had technical representatives at four ISU Championships, two Essent ISU World Cups and three ISU Junior World Cups. The SSTC managed the qualification process and facilitated the event entry process at the Olympic Winter Games. SSTC meetings were held in Sochi and on the occasion of the Essent ISU World Allround Championships last March. The annual season review meeting with Coaches took place prior to the World Cup final. The Committee reviewed the proposals for Speed Skating Rule changes announced in the provisory agenda for the ISU Congress and adjusted some of its own proposals based on further feedback. The SSTC has worked in close cooperation with the ISU
Speed Skating Vice President and Sports Director on the structure and the details of the ISU Speed Skating calendar for the next seasons, taking into account the new standardized calendar for ISU Championships that will be implemented as from 2014/15.
Short Track The Short Track Speed Skating Technical Committee (STSSTC) was busy with the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games where they held a number of meetings. Two weeks after the Olympics the ISU Championships continued. Turkey hosted their first ISU Short Track Championships from March 7-9 with the World Junior Championships in Erzurum. The ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships took place in Montreal (CAN) in a sold out venue. The STSSTC also held meetings in Montreal to discuss and prepare the proposals for changes to the Short Track Speed Skating Special Regulations and Technical Rules which will be submitted at the forthcoming ISU Congress in Dublin (IRL). The Technical Committee also scheduled the next Seminar for Short Track Speed Skating Officials which will be held in Frankfurt (GER) September 3-7, 2014.
BRIAN WESTOVER It is with deep sorrow that the ISU learned of the death of Brian Westover in April 2014. Mr. Westover was an ISU Short Track Competitors Steward and considered by many as one of the best in his field. The ISU pays homage to Mr. Westover’s contribution to Short Track and will remember him with fondness.
ISU MEDICAL COMMISSION Dr. David Mitchell retires after 26 years on the ISU Medical Commission. Dr. Mitchell was appointed in 1988 and was the Chief Medical Officer for the National Ice Skating Association from 1985 to 2000. He was also involved with Anti-Doping UK and had a 30 year career as a General Practitioner. The ISU thanks Dr. Mitchell for his dedication and contribution to the sports and wishes him much success in the future.
ISU WEBSITE : www.isu.org
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