A total of 656 regular proposals and 15 urgent proposals were considered at the 47th ISU congress. Not all of these deal directly with figure skating. We describe here the figure skating related proposals that passed at the 47th ISU congress. Rule changes that are editorial in nature only and do not change the meaning of the rule or are minor clarifications of existing rules are indicated as "editorial".
Note: the following is a synopsis of the rules - not the actual text of the rules.
347. The costume deduction shall be 0.1 in the second mark.
348. The timing of a program begins the moment the skater moves or begins to skate.
350. Short programs that exceed the time limit shall receive a deduction of 0.1 in each mark for every 10 seconds in excess of the allowed time.
351. Interpretive programs must be completed within 10 seconds of the nominal time limit. Programs the do not finish within the allowed time limit shall receive a deduction of 0.1 in each mark for every 10 seconds above or below the allowed time interval.
352. Editorial.
354. The Axel jump in the senior men's short program may be a double or a triple. The solo jump out of footwork may be a triple or a quadruple.
355. The jump combination in the junior men's short program may be a double with a triple or two triples. The solo jump in the junior ladies short program may be a double or a triple.
356. In short program spiral step sequences at least three spiral positions must be executed.
359. Editorial.
360. Incorporates the ISU pair lift classifications and difficulty into the rules.
361. The senior pairs short program shall now include a double or triple throw jump. A spiral step sequence and a normal step sequence will be required in alternate years starting with a spiral step sequence in 1998/99.
362. The split position shall be required in all pairs short program twist lifts. In the pairs short program throw jump the maximum rotations of the lady in the air is three (which precludes a throw triple Axel). In the pairs short program spiral step sequence at least two spiral positions by each partner must be executed.
363. Editorial.
367. An elaboration of the well known forbidden elements. The deduction for forbidden elements in the short program shall be 0.1 in each mark. The execution of unprescribed elements in place of prescribed elements shall be considered an omission plus an additional element with a deduction of 0.1-0.2 in the first mark. The deduction for the use of vocal music in the short program shall be 0.1
369. The free skating programs at the European and/or Four Continents Championships and the World Championships must be different programs with different costumes and different music. [Note: According to the ISU press release this did not pass, but according to a delegate at the meeting it did.]
370. In junior and senior programs only two different triple or quadruple jumps may be repeated in a jump combination or sequence. No triple or quadruple jump may be attempted more than twice.
371. In the well balanced program requirements, the penalty for each extra or lacking element shall be 0.1 in the first mark. The minimum rotations requirement for spins must be met only for the minimum number of spins. Spins beyond the minimum number do not have to meet the rotations requirement.
372. The moves in the field sequence must include free skating movements (in addition to steps).
380. A well balanced senior and junior pairs free skating program must contain: one throw jump but not more than two; one solo jump but not more than two; only one jump sequence; one pair spin combination but not more than two; only one solo spin; one death spiral but not more than two, with the second death spiral different from the first; at least one step sequence; at least one spiral sequence.
381 and 383. The penalty for each extra or lacking element in a well balanced program shall be 0.1 in the first mark.
382. Same as 360.
385. The difference in credit for a well executed double vs. a well executed triple, or a well executed triple vs. a well executed quad shall be 0.1-0.2, or 0.3 in the case of a difficult combination. Deduction for vocal music shall be 0.1 in the second mark. Deduction for violation of well balanced program requirements shall be 0.1 for each element.
387. The deduction for forbidden jumps and movements shall be 0.1 in each mark for each occurrence.
388. Loosening of the costume restrictions.
389. Interpretive free skating programs may include the moves that are otherwise illegal in free skating programs. Interpretive free skating programs with an excess of permitted elements shall receive a deduction of 0.1 in each mark for each excessive element.
390. Editorial.
393. Editorial.
394. A member of the immediate family of a competitor may not serve as an official in the same event as the competitor, but may serve in other events.
395. Primarily editorial. Closes a loophole.
396. A member of the immediate family of a coach may not serve as an official in the same event as the coaches pupils, but may serve in other events.
398. Editorial.
399. Editorial.
400. Competition events should not begin before 9:00 AM
401. Competitors may now provide their music on computer disk.
402. Editorial.
407. The arena score board must display the judges marks for each competitor. The reading of the marks is optional. Additional information on the score board is optional.
409. A video replay system may be used by the referee and judges in the singles and pairs short programs.
412. In all programs the median mark is calculated from the base mark, before deductions.
414. OBO
415. OBO
416. OBO
417. OBO
418. Same as 400.
419. Editorial.
421. At ISU championships in singles: all competitors will skate the long program first. The top 30 will then skate the short program. The top 24 after the short program will skate the final long program. The weighting shall be 0.4 for the first short program, 0.6 for the short program, and 1.0 for the final long program. At ISU championships in pairs: all competitors shall skate the short program. The top 20 after the short program will skate the long program.
422. Editorial.
423. Revision of point system for earning berths at Worlds, with exceptions added for skaters who withdraw due to injury or illness.
425. Skaters must be 15 years of age as of 1 July preceding an ISU senior championships unless they have placed in the top three in the World Junior Championships held in the immediately preceding calendar year.
426. Part of the revision of the point system for earning berths at Wolds.
433. Technical delegates need not be referees.
437. At the European and Four Continents Championships, the panel of judges for each final round event must include three judges from the other geographical region. Details for the draw of the three out of region judges are specified.
438. Bureaucracy relating to the distribution of protocols to member federations.
440. Editorial.
441. Editorial.
442. Bureaucracy relating to countries informing the ISU they will be using their full quota of Olympic entries.
443. Referees and Assistant Referees for Olympic qualifying competitions shall be appointed by the ISU president.
445. The judges at the Olympics and Olympic qualifying competitions must be judges on the current list of ISU judges.
446. Increases the maximum number of ISU referees allowed from each member federation to eight.
448. Editorial.
449. ISU referees must have judged at least three times in international competition.
450. Editorial.
451. Editorial.
452. Editorial.
453. Editorial.
454. The referee's marks at an ISU championship event must be included in the classification list. (Part of the process for evaluating judges performance.)
456. Only the referee, assistant referee, and the panel of judges may be present at event review meetings.
465. Editorial.
466. Bureaucracy relating to the time limits for various reports dealing with the evaluation of judge's performance and suspected bias.
467. More bureaucracy relating to the distribution of reports.
472. Increases the maximum number of international judges allowed from each member federation to twenty, and ISU championship judges to fourteen.
474. Editorial.
477. Bureaucracy related to input from the technical committees to the ISU Council.
480. Bureaucracy relating to the distribution of letters generated when a judge is criticized or warned by the ISU for conduct or judging performance during a competition.
481. Editorial.
483. Editorial.
485. Revision to Kilian steps 9 and 10.
486. Definition of "crossed open choctaw"
487. Add reference to explanation of skating on the weak beat.
488. Definition of the term LFO3+3.
489. Specifies the amount by which couples can cross the center line of the rink in less than regulation size rink.
490. List of required deductions for compulsory dance.
491. Gives the ISU Dance Committee the option of specifying original dances with multiple rhythms and/or changes of tempo.
492. Editorial.
493. Basic specification of original dance pattern.
494. Editorial.
495. Skating with a hand or hands on the ice is not permitted.
496. The deduction for incorrect timing shall be 0.1-1.0 in the second mark.
500. Music for the free dance must have an audible rhythmic beat and melody, or audible rhythmic beat alone, but not a melody alone. Music intended for use on stage is permitted (i.e., dance music out of ballets, musicals, operas, and operettas). The music for all kind of folk dances is permitted. Vocal music using lyrics is not permitted. Additions of the sounds of applause or cheers are not permitted.
501. Junior free dance is permitted a maximum of 3 separations of 5 seconds duration. Holding of the partner's skates is now permitted, but skating with a hand or hands on the ice is not. Lifts and partner assisted jumps are now one category of elements with seniors permitted 7 and juniors 5.
504. The deduction for incorrect timing shall be 0.1-1.0 in the first mark. The deduction for skating on the weak beat shall be 0.1-0.5 in the first mark.
506. The interpretive free dance is defined as an exhibition dance of unprescribed steps which expresses a concept, story, theme, or ideas. It is not a free dance - which now incorporates prescribed elements.
509. Editorial.
510. Editorial.
513. Editorial.
515. Editorial.
516. Each dance in a dance event will be judges by a different panel of judges.
517. Editorial.
520. At the European and Four Continents Championships, the panel of judges for each final round event must include three judges from the other geographical region. Details for the draw of the three out of region judges are specified.
522. Editorial.
524. The warmup period for free dance shall be five minutes in duration.
526. In an interrupted compulsory dance the skaters must begin again after the point of interruption. The couple may not repeat the steps missed by the interruption or the judges must deduct accordingly.
527. Revision of dance deductions for falls and interruptions.
529. The compulsory dances and original dance rhythm selected each year must be different rhythms (i.e., the compulsory dances cannot include the rhythm of the original dance.)
530. Separate draws will be held for the compulsory dances at the European and Four Continents Championships. If the same two dances are skated at the continental championships the remaining two dances from the four possible will be skated at Worlds. If one one of the four is not skated at the continental championships that dance and the one common to the continental championships will be skated at Worlds. If all four dances are drawn at the continental championships a free draw of the four will be held at Worlds.
531. Two sequences of the Westminster Waltz and the Tango shall be skated.
532. Editorial.
533. OBO
534. OBO
535. OBO
536. OBO
537. Editorial.
538. Revision of point system for earning berths at Worlds, with exceptions added for couples who withdraw due to injury or illness.
540. Couples must be 15 years of age as of 1 July preceding an ISU senior championships unless they have placed in the top three in the World Junior Championships held in the immediately preceding calendar year.
541. Same as 516.
542. Editorial.
543. Bureaucracy relating to the distribution of protocols to member federations
544. Editorial.
545. Editorial.
548. Editorial.
549. Bureaucracy relating to countries informing the ISU they will be using their full quota of Olympic entries
550. Referees and Assistant Referees for Olympic qualifying competitions shall be appointed by the ISU president.
551. The referees and judges at the Olympics and Olympic qualifying competitions must be championship level referees and judges.
552. The judges at the Olympics and Olympic qualifying competitions must be judges on the current list of ISU judges.
553. Editorial.
554. Increases the maximum number of ISU referees allowed from each member federation to eight.
555. Editorial.
556. Bureaucracy concerning member federations nominating referees who are not citizens of the nominating country.
557. Editorial.
558. Editorial.
559. Trial and substitute judging experience can be counted for promotion of referees.
560. Assistant refereeing experience can be counted for promotion of referees.
561. Same as 559.
562. Member federations must document that national refereeing experience to support promotion of ISU referees has been at the required level.
563. Same as 559 and 560.
565. Only the referee, assistant referee, and the panel of judges may be present at event review meetings.
567. The referee' event report shall include an assessment of all the judges, including the substitute judge.
568. Same as 567.
569. Bureaucracy related to the distribution of reports.
571. Increases the maximum number of international judges allowed from each member federation to twenty, and ISU championship judges to fourteen.
572. Same as 571.
573. Editorial.
574. Editorial.
575. Dance judges not drawn to officiate at ISU championship events must fulfill the requirements for trial judging in all unassigned parts of the event.
576. Editorial.
577. Editorial.
578. Bureaucracy dealing with activities that count towards the promotion of dance judges.
579. Same as 578.
580. Same as 578.
581. Same as 578.
582. Member federations must document that candidates have adequate national experience to support a first appointment as an ISU judge or referee.
583. Same as 578.
584. Bureaucracy relating to the distribution of letters generated when a judge is criticized or warned by the ISU for conduct or judging performance during a competition
587. Steps 9 and 10 of the Kilian constitute a crossed open choctaw.
588. Step 12 of the Rhumba is a wide crossed choctaw.
589. In international synchronized skating skating competitions senior teams shall consist of 16-20 skaters. Junior teams shall consist of 12-20 skaters. Teams may include both men and women. There must be an even number of male skaters with a minimum of two and a maximum of four. If a team included male skaters there must be a male alternate listed on the team entry.
590. In the international synchronized skating skating championships senior teams shall consist of 20 skaters. There must be an even number of male skaters with a minimum of two and a maximum of four. If a team included male skaters there must be a male alternate listed on the team entry if an injury or illness should occur during practice or competition a team will be permitted to skate with no less than 18 skaters.
591. Teams may enter more than one event using different music and a different program, with a minimum change of 50% of team members.
592. Ladies must wear a skirt. Men must wear full length trousers. No tights are permitted and the men's clothing may not be sleeveless. Men must wear clothing in the same or compatible color as the ladies.
593. In the short program, elements started after two minutes fourty seconds will be considered in the marking as omitted.
595. Short programs that exceed the time limit shall receive a deduction of 0.1 in each mark for every 10 seconds in excess of the allowed time.
598. synchronized skating music need not have a melody.
601. A complete overhaul of the senior short program requirements.
602. A complete overhaul of the junior short program requirements.
603. Speed and difficulty of transitions shall be considered in the first mark. Variation of speed shall be considered in the second mark.
605. The deduction for music not in accordance with requirements shall be 0.1-0.2 in the second mark. Prolonged and/or stationary lying or kneeling on the ice must be penalized by the judges. The deduction for forbidden movements shall be 0.1-0.2 in each mark for each forbidden movement. The execution of unprescribed elements in place of prescribed elements shall be considered an omission plus an additional element with a deduction of 0.1-0.2 in the first mark.
606. In both senior and junior programs the five basic elements of a well balanced program must be clearly recognizable. The team must predominantly act as one unit. Splitting into sub-groups is permitted provided the splitting of the team is limited to a maximum of one minute. The deduction for a failure to keep the team as one unit or excessive splitting shall be 0.2 in the first mark.
607. Junior teams must use at least two different hand holds. The minimum penalty for an unbalanced program is 0.2 in the first mark..
608. Prolonged and/or stationary lying or kneeling on the ice is forbidden.
609. There must be at least one change of temp in the music. The deduction for music not meeting requirements is 01.-0.2 in the second mark.
610. Primarily an editorial revision of the characteristics considered in each mark.
611. Bureaucracy dealing with judging activity at precision competitions.
612. After the opening draw teams may only practice in accordance with to the official practice schedule.
613. In the short program each team gets a one minute warmup prior to their performance. The warmup time begins when the first skater enters the ice surface.
614. In the long program each team gets a one minute warmup prior to their performance. The warmup time begins when the first skater enters the ice surface.
615. Teams must not take more than thirty seconds exiting the ice following the short and long programs.
616. In all programs the median mark is calculated from the base mark, before deductions.
617. OBO
618. OBO
619. Bureaucracy relating to the distribution of protocols to member federations.
620. Two covered and closed rinks are required to hold the synchronized skating Skating Championships.
621. The synchronized skating Skating Championships must not exceed four days or be less than two. The short program must be skated before the long program. The short program should not begin before 9:00 AM. Evening competition should be finished by 11:00 PM.
622. Participation in the synchronized skating Skating Championships is open to all skaters of teams who belong to an ISU member federation.
623. Requirements for entries in the synchronized skating Skating Championships.
624. Requirements for the draw and qualifying rounds of the synchronized skating Skating Championships.
625. Requirements for officials at the synchronized skating Skating Championships.
626. Requirements for the technical delegate at the synchronized skating Skating Championships.
627. Requirements for the judges and officials at the synchronized skating Skating Championships.
628. Requirements for the awards ceremony at the synchronized skating Skating Championships.
629. The organizers of the synchronized skating Skating Championships must order and pay for in advance the competition medals.
630. Bureaucracy dealing with the distribution of protocols to the member federations.
632. At the synchronized skating Skating Championships no advertisement of ice shows are allowed inside or outside of ice rinks or in the program sold or given to the public.
633. All official communications at the synchronized skating Skating Championships shall be in English.
635. Editorial.
636. To be eligible for appointment as an international referee the candidate must have been a precision judge for four years, officiated twice as a referee and once as a judge at their national level in the past 48 months, and judged at least three times internationally.
637. Additional requirements for candidates for an international referee appointment.
638. Activity as a substitute judge may be counted in the requirements for an international referee's appointment.
639. Additional requirements for candidates for a championship referee appointment.
641. Activity requirements for candidates for a championship synchronized skating judge appointment.
642. Member federations must provide documentation at access the national activity of candidates for referee appointments.
643. The assistant referee should not judge or take notes during team performances. The full attention of the assistant referee must be on the safety of the skaters.
644. Bureaucracy related to credit for trial judging activity.
645. Editorial.
646. The substitute judge is subject to the same requirements as the official panel in matters of errors and national bias.
647. Bureaucracy dealing with the use of trial judging to meet the activity requirements of competition officials.
648. Allows the use of trial judging activity for candidates for judging appointments.
649. Bureaucracy dealing with trial judging and its use in fulfilling activity requirements for judges.
650. Editorial.
651. Adds the requirement that candidates for championship synchronized skating judging appointments have judged in at least two national synchronized skating championships in the previous 36 months.
652. Adds the requirement that candidates for championship synchronized skating judging appointments have judged in at least three international synchronized skating competitions.
653. Member federations must document that candidates have adequate national experience to support a first appointment as an ISU synchronized skating judge.
654. Bureaucracy relating to the distribution of letters generated when a judge is criticized or warned by the ISU for conduct or judging performance during a competition.
655. Editorial.
656. Events with 20 teams shall have four starting order groups of five teams each.