ISU Figure Skating and Speed Skating Branches gather for decisive regulatory changes

Las Vegas, USA

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The Branch sessions for Speed Skating and Figure Skating took center stage on the third and fourth day of the ISU Congress, during which the Special Regulations and Technical Rules were discussed and voted on. These split sessions underscored the ISU’s commitment to addressing the individual needs in each discipline, while fostering major improvements for the growth of the ice-skating community.

Figure Skating Branch

The Vice President for Figure Skating, Benoît Lavoie opened the Figure Skating Branch session on June 12th. He provide an insightful overview of the positive outcomes achieved over the past two years, while highlighting the necessity to adapt rules and regulations to the new realities of the sport.

 

Overview of Figure + Synchronized Skating Proposal votes

  • Proposals for Special Regulations (Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance): 51

  • Technical Rules (Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance): 31

  • Proposals for Special Regulations (Synchronized Skating): 28

  • Technical Rules (Synchronized Skating): 13

 ISU Congress 2024 Day 3 Figure Skating Branch

   Figure Skating Branch Session at the ISU Congress in Las Vegas, United States, USA, 2024. © ISU

The Figure Skating Branch Session voted on all the Special Regulations for Single/Pair Skating and Ice Dance as well as Synchronized Skating. A total of 34 Proposals were approved (178, 179, 184-191,192, 194, 195-196, 197, 198, 199 (amended by NOR), 200-202, 205, 206, 208, 209 (amended), 210, 212, 214, 215-217, 221-225), five Proposals were rejected (177, 180-182, 207) and 10 Proposals withdrawn (176, 183, 193, 203, 204, 211, 213, 218-220). All Special Regulations for Synchronized Skating were accepted, except for proposals 259, 261, 263, 280 and 281, which were withdrawn.


ISU Congress 2024 Day 3 Benoit Lavoie

  Vice President Figure Skating Benoît Lavoie at the ISU Congress in Las Vegas, United States, USA, 2024. © ISU

Votes on the General Technical Rules Proposals for Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance (226-233 + Urgent Matters 19, except for 232 excluded) were accepted.

As for the Single & Pair Skating Technical Rules, the Council presented a decision to delay the implementation date, which was accepted by a simple majority of the Figure Skating Branch delegates. More specifically, Technical Rule Proposals 234 through 246 will be implemented only after the Olympic season 2026/27. However, the Technical Rule Proposals 236, 237 and 243 will be effective immediately after this Congress 2024. The acceptance of Proposal 236 is of particular importance as it removes the somersault jumps from the illegal elements. Consequently, skaters will no longer be penalized for performing such jumps as from season 2024/25.

All Technical Rules Proposals for Ice Dance (247-255) and Synchronized Skating (285-297) were accepted.

Speed Skating Branch

During the Speed Skating Branch session, Vice President Mr. Tron Espeli presented a report on the activities, progress and changes which have taken place of the past two years.

 

Overview of Speed Skating Proposal votes

  • Proposals for Special Regulations (Speed Skating): 22

  • Technical Rules (Speed Skating): 27

A total of 17 Special Regulations Proposals were approved (65, 67, 69, 70 (in amended version), 73-81, 84, 85, + Urgent Matter Proposal 12), two Proposals rejected (68, 72) and three withdrawn (66, 71, 83). The Technical Rule Proposals were passed as a package.

ISU Congress 2024 Day 3 Tron Espeli (2)

 Vice President Speed Skating Tron Espeli at the ISU Congress in Las Vegas, United States, USA, 2024. © ISU

 

Overview of Short Track Speed Skating Proposal votes

  • Proposals for Special Regulations (Short Track Speed Skating): 37

  • Technical Rules (Short Track Speed Skating): 24

A total of 24 Special Regulations Proposals were approved (115, 117, 120-124, 126-134, 137, 138, 140, 144, 146-150 + Urgent Matter Proposal 16), three Proposals rejected (116, 118, 142) and eight withdrawn (119, 125, 135, 136, 139, 141, 143, 145). The Technical Rule Proposals for Short Track Speed Skating were passed as a package.

Congress Program

The full Congress agenda and detailed proposals are available in the ISU Communication 2629 and ISU Communication 2637.

  • June 10: Opening of the Congress and Presentations of strategic reports

  • June 11-13: Full Congress / Figure Skating and Speed Skating Branch sessions

  • June 13: Online Press Conference

  • June 14: Ratification of decisions and closing session

 

WHERE TO WATCH

The 59th Ordinary ISU Congress is available as a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel.

To know more about the ISU Congresses, visit the dedicated webpage here.