Location and Schedule
Dates and Location
May 17-19, 2024

Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex
5309 29th St. E
Ellenton, FL 34222

2024 Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Announcement and Information (pdf document posted, February 26, 2024)

Event venue, dates, and location are subject to change.

Daily Schedule is forthcoming

Events
Please see the announcement link above for the 2024 Events.

The Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships is a qualifying competition for the 2024 State Games of America Championships (SGA). Skaters placing first, second or third in an event at the Sunshine State Games competition qualify to compete at the State Games of America being held July 17-21, 2024 in San Diego, CA. For more details visit www.stategamesofamerica.com.

These events will be conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of U.S. Figure Skating, as set forth in the current rulebook, as well as any pertinent updates that have been posted on the U.S. Figure Skating website.

This competition is open to all eligible, restricted, reinstated or readmitted persons as defined by the Eligibility Rules that is a currently registered member of a U.S. Figure Skating member club, a collegiate club or an individual member in accordance with the current rulebook. Please refer to the current rulebook for non-U.S. Citizens.

Format

• All event requirements will be in accordance to USFS regulations. A description of elements, moves, and time requirements will be available soon.
• Athletes must check-in with the ice monitor at the ice at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled competition time for each event in which they are competing. Athlete Check-in, where pick-up their shirts and goodie bags, is NOT event check-in.

Sport Rules
This event is sanctioned by United States Figure Skating (USFS). This competition will be conducted in accordance with United States Figure Skating (USFS) rules, as per the current rulebook, unless stated otherwise.

Entry Requirements
Eligibility: All skaters must have a Florida affiliation in one or more of the following ways: reside in the State of Florida, attend school in Florida, be a member of a Florida Figure Skating Club or have their primary training location in Florida. All participants will be 3expecteed to abide by the Code of Ethics (GR 1.01) and the Code of Conduct (GR1.02) as set forth in the current U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook.

Test level: Entrants may not have competed in a qualifying competition at a level higher than the level at which they register to compete at the Sunshine State Games. For example, competitors who register to compete at the Intermediate Women or Men level may not have competed at the Novice level or higher at any qualifying competition prior to the 2024 Sunshine State Games.

Skaters registering to compete at the Pre-Juvenile level or lower may not have competed in a qualifying competition.

Skaters may only enter ONE level per type of event. For example, skaters cannot enter both the Juvenile AND Intermediate Free Skate events. However, a skater may enter the Juvenile Free Skate event and also the Intermediate Short Program event. Furthermore, skaters cannot enter both standard track free skate events and Excel Free Skate events, as Excel events are considered to be free skate events.

Age restrictions/requirements: Singles free skate events (well-balanced program) have the following requirements: (age is determined by the entry deadline):

• Juvenile: Girls – 12 years or younger; Boys – 13 years or younger
• Open Juvenile: Girls – 13 years or older; Boys – 14 years or older
• Intermediate must be under the age of 18
• Adults must be 21 years or older

REGISTRATION / ENTRY INFORMATION:
Registration for this year’s events will be done online through Entryeeze. A link to the registration can be found on the Florida Sports Foundation website, www.sunshinestategames.com.
Registration is closed. NO LATE ENTRIES OR ADDITIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Limited Ice Time
Due to limited ice time this year, we are not offering dance or showcase events. We may close entries early.

Any change to an event AFTER the schedule has been published WILL result in a $30.00 fee for each
event changed.

EVENT CATEGORY: PRICE
1ST IJS event: $ 150.00
2nd IJS event: $ 90.00
2nd 6.0 event (if 1st event is IJS) $60.00
1st 6.0 event: $ 110.00
2nd 6.0 event $ 60.00
1st Compete USA event: $ 95.00
2nd Compete USA event: $ 50.00
Any additional non-IJS event regardless of level: $50.00

Refund Policy: There will be NO REFUNDS unless an event/division is cancelled, or a participant is found to be ineligible because of failure to meet residency or age requirements. There will be no refunds for medical withdrawals.

Schedule: A schedule will be posted on the State Games website and on Entryeeze after registration has closed. Participants will be notified when the schedule has been posted.

Rink Description: The has three ice surfaces each 85’ x200’ NHL regulation size. The snack shop and pro shop will be open during the competition.

Practice Ice:
Practice ice registration will be announced on the Florida Sports Foundation website
www.sushinestategames.com after the close of entries and will be available for purchase on
www.entryeeze.com website.

Each skater will be eligible to purchase one (1) practice ice sessions per event entered. Additional practice ice may become available after the initial practice ice registration and after the schedule is posted.

Practice Ice will be $ 20.00 per 20 minute practice sessions.

Do not call the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex for practice ice sessions during the dates of the
competition.

Awards:
1. Medals will be awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each event.
Ribbons will be awarded to 4th – 6th place in the Compete USA events. There will not be a
presentation of awards. Medals and ribbons can be picked up at the registration desk once the results are posted.

2. The Dorothy Dodson Award, named after veteran Figure Skating Judge, Dorothy Dodson,
Recognizes the skater with the highest combined score in the Intermediate Ladies Free Skate and
Short Program event, This Award will be presented at the end of competition.

3.The Elizabeth “Betty” Stark Award, named after veteran Figure Skating Judge, Elizabeth “Betty”
Stark recognizes the Juvenile Girl with the highest points in the Juvenile Girls Free Skate program. This award will be presented at the end of the competition.

Judging System:
The IJS Scoring System will be used for the following events:
– All Singles Short Programs events.
– Well Balanced Free Skate Program: Preliminary and above events.
– Adult Free Skate: Pre- Bronze and above levels.
– Excel Series: All Excel Plus Events and Excel Pre-Preliminary and above events.

All competitors skating in these events must submit a Planned Program Content form online using the Entryeeze website for the Sunshine State Games. The deadline for submitting PPC’s is midnight, May 5, 2024.

The 6.0 Majority Judging System will be used for all other events.

Music
Online music submission is the ONLY acceptable method to submit program music. After you have paid for your events, the system will prompt you to upload your music for each event that requires music. If your music is not available at that time, you can logout of your account and return later to upload your music by going to the “Competition” tab and then selecting “My Music.” Please be sure you are uploading the correct music for the correct event segment. Be careful, for example, not to mix up your short program and your free skate program. The deadline for uploading music is May 5, 2024. After that date there will be a late fee of $30.00.

Backup Music at Event [CDs]
In addition to submitting the music online, all competitors/teams must also have at least one [1] backup copy of their competition music on CD, AT RINKSIDE, during the actual competition event or official practice. CDs must meet the following requirements:

– In standard Audio CD format (Compact Disc Digital Audio). Other formats, including mp3 are not acceptable. Due to the compatibility and reliability reasons, music may NOT be submitted on re- recordable “CD-RW” discs. PLEASE, not CD-RWs!!

The LOC, competition officials, and volunteers exercise reasonable care when handling CDs. However, they are not responsible for damage to or loss of any CDs. The LOC is not responsible for CDs not picked up by the end of the competition. Those CDs will be destroyed.

Penalty for Incorrect Music or Failure to Upload Music
The LOC may assess each competitor/team an additional charge, up to $30.00 per event segment, if the competitor/team fails to submit their music prior to the close of online music submission.

Videography
Individual videotaping will be permitted in designated areas ONLY. Professional vide taping of each event will be available. Except for the official video producer, only battery-operated cameras will be permitted with no tripods. NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY, PLEASE.

U.S. Figure Skating IJS Protocols for Test Credit: In accordance with Rules TR 3.00, 4.01, and 4.02, athletes may receive credit for meeting minimum scores at any competition held under the International Judging System (IJS). The athlete must “skate up” to the event they are seeking test credit for, in addition to having already passed any prerequisites prior to the competition. Eligible events at the 2024 Sunshine State Games include: Single Free Skate: Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, Senior, Adult Silver through Adult Masters Junior/Senior.
Excel Free Skate: Juvenile through Senior. Skaters requesting Test Credit will need to speak with the Registration desk about the process for obtaining a Test Credit Packet from the Accounting Staff. Forms must be completed and submitted prior to the end of the competition. No test credit forms will be mailed or processed after the close of the competition. The test credit fee will be $20.00.

Liability: U.S. Figure Skating, Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex and Florida Sports Foundation accept no responsibility for injury or damage sustained by any participant in this competition. This is in accordance with Rule 1600 of the official U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook.

Locker Rooms and Changing Areas
Locker rooms and changing areas will not be available during this competition. All athletes will be expected to arrive at the rink ready to compete (costumes, hair, make-up, etc.). Athletes will be provided with an area to put skates on but will not be permitted to change in public restrooms.

Important Notice To All Coaches
To be a credentialed coach at a sanctioned nonqualifying competition, coaches must meet the following requirements:

Coaching U.S. Figure Skating athletes:
• Current member in good standing with U.S. Figure Skating
• Completed background check (green light status)
• Completed SafeSport Training*
• Continuing Education Requirements (CERs) for the 2023-2024 Competition Season
• Proof of current general liability insurance with limits of $1 million per occurrence/$5 million aggregate.

Coaching Compete USA athletes:
• Learn to Skate USA Instructor membership OR U.S. Figure Skating full membership
• Completed SafeSport Training* (for coaches 18 years old and over)
• Completed background check (green light status) (for coaches 18 years old and over)
• Learn to Skate USA Instructor Certification completed (for coaches under 18)

* SafeSport training is available through www.usfsaonline.org for full members of U.S. Figure Skating (through Learn to Skate USA portal for instructors). There is no cost to this training and certification is valid for 1 season.

The LOC will have a list of compliant coaches who are approved to receive a credential at the competition. Coaches will need to check in at the event registration desk and show a government issued photo I.D. to receive a credential.

If a coach cannot provide a photo I.D. and is not on the list or cannot produce the necessary documents, he or she will not be allowed a credential. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

If a foreign coach has only foreign athletes at your competition, a background check and SafeSport Training is not required. Instead, the coach must submit a letter from their Federation stating they are a member in good standing.

Other Policies and Procedures
United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) 2023-2024 rules will be used as guidelines for judging all events, unless otherwise stated. Junior Women and Men Short Programs will follow the 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 requirements.

1. This competition will be sanctioned by US Figure Skating, although membership in US Figure Skating is not required to enter the Sunshine State Games.
2. Skaters may compete at the highest level passed or one level higher. Skaters may compete in only one short program level and only one free skate level. Skaters competing in Excel free skate events may not compete in the equivalent well- balanced program event. Skaters are also responsible for verifying age, residency and test level, if challenged.
3. The Competition Committee reserves the right to combine events. Girls and boys may compete against each other at the Pre-Juvenile level and lower if only one eligible competitor enters one of the events.

Volunteers
The Florida Sports Foundation is always seeking volunteers to help with athlete check-in and running music at the Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships.

Reminder: Compliant volunteer positions at all U. S. Figure Skating sanctioned events include key LOC members, locker room monitors and ALL medical event personnel. To be considered compliant, an approved volunteer serving in one of these positions must:

Submit information for, proper payment of $30 and successfully pass a background check*

The background check will be valid for two seasons, the one in which it was completed plus one additional

Must complete annual SafeSport Training. The training will be valid for 365 days from date of completion and there is no cost for the training/certification*

*Accessible via the U.S. Figure Skating Members Only website

Awards
Medals will be awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each event. Ribbons will be awarded to 4th – 6th place in the Compete USA events.

The Dorothy Dodson Award, named after veteran Figure Skating Judge, Dorothy Dodson, recognizes the skater with the highest combined score in the Intermediate Ladies Free Skate and Short Program event, This Award will be presented at the end of competition.

The Elizabeth “Betty” Stark Award, named after veteran Figure Skating Judge, Elizabeth “Betty” Stark recognizes the Juvenile Girl with the highest points in the Juvenile Girls Free Skate program. This award will be presented at the end of the competition

Registration
Registration is closed.

Hotel Information
Hotel Information is forthcoming.

The entry deadline for this year’s competition is April 14, 2024. Late entries will be accepted at the discretion of the competition manager and chief referee and will be subject to a $ 50.00 late fee.

Any change to an event AFTER the schedule has been published WILL result in a $30.00 fee for each event changed.

Qualification for 2024 State Games of America in California
Sunshine State Games Figure Skating athletes are eligible to compete in the 2024 State Games of America, to be held in San Diego, California, July 17-21, 2024.

Time frame to qualify for the 2024 State Games of America
2022 (after July 1): All gold, silver and bronze medalists qualify from National Congress of State Games (NCSG) Member State programs (2022 Sunshine State Games Figure Skating), both Winter and Summer. Any medalist from the 2022 SGA held in Ames, Iowa qualifies.

2023: All gold, silver, and bronze medalists qualify from NCSG Member State programs, both Winter and Summer (2023 Sunshine State Games Figure Skating).

2024 (before July 1): All gold, silver, and bronze medalists qualify from NCSG Member State programs, both Winter and Summer (2024 Sunshine State Games Figure Skating).

Any medalists from the 2022 State Games of America is eligible to compete in 2024. Visit www.stategamesofamerica.com/faqs for more information.

FSF Staff Contact
OJ Hill
(850) 577-7207 or ojhill@playinflorida.com

State Director
Bonnie Boaz, bonnie.boaz2411@gmail.cpom