UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, DATES FOR ALL AGE REQUIREMENTS ARE AS OF FEBRUARY 22, 2008.

1. FIGURE SKATING EVENTS - 2008

INDIVIDUAL FREESTYLE COMPETITION

Divisions:
Open Division - any skater that is 18 years of age or older.
Scholastic Division - any skater that is 12 years of age but no older than 17 years of age.

Categories and program Lengths:
SENIOR - USFS Senior Free or ISI Freestyle 9 or 10, (Ladies - 4 min. Men - 4 ½ min)
JUNIOR - USFS Junior Free or ISI Freestyle 8, (Ladies - 3½ min. Men - 4 min)
NOVICE - USFS Novice Free or ISI Freestyle 7, (Ladies 3 min. Men - 3½ min)
INTERMEDIATE - USFS Intermediate Free or ISI Freestyle 6, (Ladies & Men - 2½ min)
 

PAIRS COMPETITION - both skaters must submit an entry by the deadline indicated in Section 3 below, with their partner indicated on the entry form. Skaters must be at least 12 years of age or older.

Divisions: At the discretion of the ESG Figure Skating Sport Chairpersons, Pairs may be divided into two divisions, grouping older, higher test level skaters in one division, and younger, lower test level skaters in a second division.

Categories and program Lengths:
Similar Pairs - Both skaters must have passed USFS Intermediate Free or ISI 6 at the time the entry is submitted. Program Length 3 - 3½ minutes.
Mixed Pairs Intermediate - both skaters must have passed USFS Intermediate Free or ISI 6 at the time the entry is submitted. Program Length 2½ minutes.
Mixed Pairs Novice - both skaters must have passed USFS Novice Free or ISI 7 at the time the entry is submitted. Program Length 3 minutes.

Note update to age requirement for Intermediate Team Members (12-18-07)
SYNCHRONIZED TEAM COMPETITION – Teams will qualify as follows (using modified USFS & ISI guidelines).

Team Size
A team must consist of at least 12 skaters but no more than 22 skaters.

Divisions/Categories and program Lengths:
SENIOR - Skaters must be 14 years of age or older. Program Duration: 4½ minutes
COLLEGIATE - Skaters must be enrolled in a New York college or university as a full time student at the time of competition. Program Duration: 4½ minutes
JUNIOR - Skaters must be between the ages of 12 and 18. Program Duration: 4 minutes
INTERMEDIATE - At least 75% of the skaters must be between 12 and 18 years of age. The remaining 25% of skaters may be between 9 & 11 years of age. Program Duration: 3½ minutes
OPEN JUNIOR - Skaters must be at least 12 years of age by the first day of, with the majority of the skaters 18 years of age or younger. Program Duration: 4 minutes
 

2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
All Skaters Must:

1. be a domiciled resident of New York State or have status as a full time student in a NY State School (proof of either of these may be required).
2. meet the minimum age requirement of 12 years old (except as noted in the case of the Intermediate Team Category).
3. be a registered member in good standing of a USFS Club or ISI Club/Rink.
4. submit your Entry so it is received by the deadline date of January 18, 2008 at 3:00pm.

3. RULES & REGULATIONS

AGE:  Skaters must meet the age requirements for their division based on the first day of competition, February 22, 2008.

NEW YORK STATE RESIDENCY: Skater must be a domiciled resident of New York State or have status as a full time student in a NY State School (proof of either of these may be required).

PHOTO ID: All participants MUST present a New York State government (Driver's License, Non-driver Photo ID) or school issued photo identification that proves NY State Residency in order to participate in the Games. If your school does not issue IDs or you do not have one when submitting an entry you can apply for a non-driver's ID through the NYS DMV or some local sheriff offices. It can take up to 6 weeks for this request to be processed. If you need a photo ID DO NOT DELAY!

BIRTH CERTIFICATE: If a skater has previously participated in the Winter Games a copy of their birth certificate is on file. Any skaters that have not previously participated must include a copy of their birth certificate with their entry. When submitting an entry online through active.com please be sure to mail in the birth certificate, if there is not one on file already, right away to complete your entry.

ENTRY DEADLINE:
• Individual Freestyle Competition & Pairs Competition: Whichever occurs first; 180 entries or January 18, 2008 for individual entries. Completed entry form, fee, birth certificate must be among the first 180 entries RECEIVED by the deadline of 3pm, January 18, 2008. After receipt of your entry you will be sent a confirmation within 5 days. If you would like confirmation before this time you must send your entry return receipt.
• Synchronized Team Competition: A maximum of 12 (twelve) Synchronized Skating teams will be allowed entry into the 2008 Winter Games. The team roster form, entry form for each team member and their birth certificate (unless on file with ESG) must be received by 3pm, January 18, 2008. A postmark will NOT count. In the event that more than 12 teams apply, a drawing will be held on January 18, 2008 for the Division with the most entries to determine the competing teams. Teams not selected for the Games will have their entry fee refunded. No checks will be cashed until after the entry deadline
The Games are not responsible for mail lost or delayed by the US Postal Service or other delivery service providers.

CANCELLATION OF EVENTS:  If less than three skaters enter an individual event, the event will be cancelled. Skaters will be notified if their event has been cancelled and the entry fee will be refunded. For Pairs events and Synchronized Teams, if only one pair or team in a category enters, that category of competition will be cancelled and the entry fee will be returned.

SANCTION: This competition will be sanctioned by the USFS; as such all skaters, regardless of club or National Governing Body affiliation may participate.

JUDGING CRITERIA: For the 2008 Empire State Winter Games the 6.0 judging system will be used. Freestyle and Pairs events shall have at least 5 judges; skaters will be marked on Technical Elements and Program Components. The accounting process will be handled in accordance with USFS Rules.

TEST LEVEL: Skater must have passed, at time of submitting their entry, the test level indicated for the event in which they wish to participate. Skaters who submit an entry for a skating category/level for which they have not yet passed the test risk having their entry rejected.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL NOTE: Individual skaters are not permitted to compete at the intermediate freestyle level for more than two (2) years in total. This rule is inclusive for any person moving to a new division.

SKATING UP IN CLASS: A skater may not skate up in class, unless he/she placed 1-2-3 in the 2007 Empire State Winter Games Competition.

GROUPING: If 5 or more pairs are entered, ESG will form two groups (or more if needed) for competition.

MUSIC: Music may NOT contain vocals - instrumental selections only

ESG WARM-UP SUIT: Each qualified participant will receive an ESG Warm-up suit, however, to receive the suit the skater must compete in the Games in Lake Placid. No suits will be mailed.

PRACTICE TIME: Individual skaters, pairs and synchronized teams will be scheduled into practice ice slots of approximately 20 minutes for Friday, February 22 or Saturday February 23; every effort will be made to avoid conflicts for participants who are participating in more than one skating event. Practice times are based on the competition schedule and individual requests for ice time cannot be accommodated.

PRACTICE AND COMPETITION SCHEDULES: Will be available on the Games’ website after February 15th. All qualified skaters will be notified within 5 days of receipt of entry through email (if one is provided) or a postcard that their entry has been accepted. If a skater does not have access to the internet to obtain practice and competition schedules and other information, he/she may call the ESG office to have the schedule mailed. NOTE: Skaters are asked to please NOT call the ESG office for practice and competition schedules until after February 15. Schedules cannot be drawn until all information has been accumulated.

ESG REGISTRATION & WARMUP PICKUP: Information regarding ESG Registration and Warm-up pickup, as well as any special event announcements will be posted on the Games website by February 15, 2008. If a skater does not have access to the internet to obtain this information, he/she should call the ESG Office to have the information mailed.

4. ENTRY FEES AND REFUNDS

INDIVIDUAL & PAIRS COMPETITION: Entry fee is $50.00 for the first event; $20 for the next event (each) - sign up online at www.active.com or mail your entry form and Check, Money order, or Credit Card payable to "ESG", to: Empire State Games Figure Skating, 1 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12238 by the deadline indicated in Section 3 above.

SYNCHRONIZED TEAM COMPETITION: Entry fee is $125.00 per team plus an additional $20 per skater. Checks should be made payable to: "ESG" and mailed to Empire State Games Figure Skating, 1 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12238 by the deadline indicated in Section 3 above. If a drawing is necessary, any team that is not selected via the drawing will have their check returned by February 8, 2008. Entries submitted without the proper entry fee will be ruled ineligible and the entry will be returned. You MUST return the team entry form, as well as an entry form for each skater, with a copy of each skater's birth certificate (if it is not already on file in the ESG office), and the entry fee by the deadline date indicated in Section 3 above to be considered entered.

REFUND OF ENTRY FEE POLICY: Skaters or Teams who submit an entry form and fee, and are unable to attend the Games will be entitled to a full refund of their entry fee IF THE GAMES OFFICE IS NOTIFIED IN WRITING (to the address noted above) AND the request is received in writing by the Games office by FEBRUARY 8, 2008. NO REFUNDS will be issued after FEBRUARY 8, 2008. Requests for withdrawals may also be faxed to the ESG office by 4pm on Friday, February 8, 2008. The fax number is 518-474-7944.

5. ENTRY FORMS

INDIVIDUAL & PAIRS EVENTS: There are 2 ways to submit your entry. You may print out a paper entry form and mail that along with your payment and birth certificate, if not already on file, to the address on the form, OR you can sign up online at active.com (DO NOT register both online and via paper entry). Regardless of the method you use to register for the Games, your completed entry must be submitted by the deadline indicated in Section 3 above. Please Remember every entry MUST be SIGNED by skater's Professional Instructor (ISI) or Club Official (USFS). If you enter online a separate form will be mailed to you for the Professional Instructor (ISI) or Club Official's (USFS) signature. Waivers MUST be SIGNED by the skater and parent or guardian if the skater is under the age of 18.

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING TEAM EVENT:  Team Coaches or Club Officials must print the Team Entry Form/Roster (which includes the individual form required for each team member) complete and return it to the ESG Office as indicated. Your complete Team Entry will consist of: the team roster/entry form, a synchronized skating individual form for each team member, a copy of each team member's birth certificate (if it is not already on file with ESG) and the payment. Waivers MUST be SIGNED by the skater and parent or guardian if the skater is under the age of 18. At this time, online registration for Synchronized Skating teams is not available.

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