Procedures & Protocols

PROCEDURES & PROTOCOLS

World Championship Class consists of three sections:

1. Figure Artwork (weighted @ 50%): consists of 5 selected segments:

·      Diamond Menagerie

·      Circling Compass

·      Maltese Cross

·      Lofty Loops

·      Winged Swedish Cross-cut

2. Creative Figure Artworks (weighted @ 25%) are created by the skaters. Drawing is permitted either before or after skating the artwork is complete.

3. Fancy Skating (weighted @ 25%) is a choreographed program skated to music chosen by the skater. Music Length is 2:00 – 3:30 minutes (+10 seconds).

Any skaters may compete in one, or more segments. However, the World Championship title is rewarded to the skater completing all segments.

World Junior Championship Class (21 and under as of October 1, 2026) consists of two sections:

1. Figure Artwork (weighted @ 50%):

Figure Artwork consists of 4 selected figure segments:

·      Forward Outside Figure Eight

·      Twin Threes

·      Circling Compass

·      Pivoting Maltese Cross

2. Fancy Skating (weighted @ 50%) is a choreographed program skated to music chosen by the skater. Music Length is 1:30 – 2:30 minutes (+10 seconds).

Any skaters may compete in one, or more segments. However, the World Junior Championship title is rewarded to the skater completing all segments.

International Open (Open to All)

The International Open Class (18 and older as of October1, 2026) consists of two sections:

1. Figure Artwork (weighted @ 50%):

Figure Artwork consists of 3 selected figure segments:

·      Forward Outside Figure Eight

·      Quad Cupcake

·      Pivoting Maltese Cross

2. Fancy Skating (weighted @ 50%) is a choreographed program skated to music chosen by the skater. Music Length is 1:30-2:30 minutes (+10 seconds).

Any skaters may compete in one, or more segments. However, the International Open title is rewarded to the skater completing all segments.

Festival Open Class (Open to All)

The World Championship Class consists of 4 Figure Artworks segments:

1.     Forward Inside Loops

2.     Forward Loop de Loops

3.     Circle 8 RBO – LBO

4.     Twin Threes

5.     Forward Paragraph 8 – Right Foot Start

Any skaters may compete in one, or more segments.

World Team Fancy Skating consists of two classes:

The Team Figure Artwork class (all ages, 2-16 skaters) consists of one section when skaters perform specific Figure Artworks in harmony.

The Team Fancy Skating class is a choreographed composition to music chosen by the skaters.  Music Length is 2:00-3:00 minutes (+10 seconds).

Inclusive Skating

Inclusive Skating (all ages with disability) consist of one section:

Performance: Program with music assistance if needed 1:00-2:00 minutes (+10 seconds).

Figure Artworks

Figure Artwork must have six tracings. Figure Artwork section of all divisions of the competition the skaters will obtain an identifying letter from the Chief Accountant at rink side. They will be directed to a section of the ice to perform their Figure Artworks. After all the Figure Artworks are completed, the Skating Artist will place their letter by the section of their Figure Artworks. 

Figure Artwork Penalties

·      Pre-Sets- Pre drawing of Figure Artwork (Championship Class and Jr. Divisions) –9 points

·      Blade/Hand Touchdown – 3 points

·      Fall– 6 points

·      Marking of long axis with blade – 9 points

·      Interfering with another Skating Artist – 9 points

·      Unsportsmanlike conduct– 9 points

·      The maximum penalty — 9 points.

Judges Criteria

Figure Artworks

·      World Championship Class:

Edges, Tracings, Turns, Crosscuts, Centers, Alignment, and Overall Quality.

·      All Other Divisions: Overall Quality.

Fancy Free

·      All Divisions:

Edge & and Stroking Mastery, Choreography, Musicality, Beauty of Positions, Visual Mastery, Audience Appeal, Overall Skating.

Tie Breaker

·      World Championship Class: A tie is broken within the first three placings, by skating the figure chosen and will be judged by Overall Quality.

·      World Junior and International Open Divisions: A tie is broken within the first three placings, by prioritizing figures already competed and judged.

Music Options

• Live Music: Live performing artist, vocal or instrumental. 
• Recorded Music: Any recorded music, vocal or instrumental from any genre or period.
• Original Music: WFS can create an original score or recording with the skater.

World Figure Sport has the capacity to assist all Skating Artists and coaches with music consultation, editing services, and original arrangements by contacting WFS at 518.304.3029.

During performance/competition flights, Skating Artists will enter and exit the ice under direction of the Chief Referee. They will obtain an identifying letter for each flight from the Chief Accountant at rink side. They will be directed to a section of the ice to perform each Figure Artwork. After all the Figure Artworks are completed, the Skating Artist will place their letter by the starting center of each of their Figure Artworks. 

Skating Artists will communicate with both of the Chief Accountant and Chief Referee regarding any penalty points. Skating Artists will stay on the ice and/or in the box with the Chief Accountant to fill out and sign their Segment Artwork Documents noting any penalty points. The document needs to be directly handed to the Chief Accountant and receipt acknowledged by the accountant’s confirmation of receipt. Any questions should be immediately directed to both the Chief Accountant and Chief Referee at that time (and not after the fact).

After competition flights, Fancy Skating Artists should stay in the building with their costume on for various post-competition segments (e.g. medal ceremonies, audience interaction, official photography) that might require their presence.

JUDGES: The judging panel will be sequestered and will not witness the live skating. They will only evaluate the Figure Artworks left behind on the ice by the skating artists and identified by their letters. Judges will rank order the Figure Artworks such that the lowest number indicates the highest quality rank:

• World Championship Division is judged on the following: Edges, Tracings, Turns, Loops, Cross-cuts, Centers and Alignment, Spinning Center/Flying take off/landing and Overall Quality of a Figure Artwork.
• All Other Divisions: Overall Quality.

Upon request by the Skating Artist, the Chief Accountant might request a Figure Artwork to be judged for Figure Artwork Exam credit.

TIE BREAKERS:

World Junior and International Open Divisions: If a tie occurs in the first three placings, it will be broken by prioritizing figures already competed and judged.

World Championship Division: If a tie occurs in the first three placings, the tied Skating Artists resume competition and re-skate the Swirling Mirror (Double-Sided RFI-LFI) to break the tie. During a World Championships’ Medal tie-break all judges rank the Overall Quality of the Figure Artworks.

Fancy Skating (FS): The Art of Skating, a World of Possibilities –

With World Figure Sport, Skating Artists create an original Fancy Skating performance without constraint. The number of rotations in any type of Flying Figures will not have precedence over the quality of execution, flights of fancy, originality, and musical necessity when performed.

Whether a Soloist or a Team, Fancy Skating is a performance of athletic art in which the Skating Artist(s) present(s) an original choreographed composition set to live music or other suitable recorded sound track.

Fancy Skating has a vast and unlimited repertoire that encompasses a World of Possibilities and includes all types of Fundamental, Special, Creative, Free, Flying and Spinning Figure Artworks.

• Every edge, extension, nuance, and expression should flow together on the ice originating solely from the musical necessity with world class skating technique and riveting choreography.
• The purpose of Fancy Skating is to unite the Skating Artists’ profound technical and artistic mastery of the Art of Skating with fine, performing, decorative and recording arts, thereby transcending oneself and the audience.
• Contorted positions, bent lines, and contrived bombastic use of body, arms, and legs (including excessive grabbing foot or blade) are not usually considered valuable in Fancy Skating. Therefore, unnecessary use is detrimental to grace.
• Skating Artists should strive to maintain exquisite world class positions and extensions that are superbly executed and sustained throughout the entire on-ice composition.
• Skating Artists should focus on executing beautiful positions originating from the edge of one’s blade and carried through a pointed foot into the body to the top of the head.
• Skating Artists should choose to present their best style and repertoire as a performer that includes an engaged and passionate performance while striving for world class technique and interpretation produced from an unlimited skating repertoire including flights of fancy and pirouettes.
• Fancy Skating combines the epitome of technical and artistic merit by striving for world class skating technique, edge quality, speed, flow and ice coverage with exquisite form, world class sustained body positions and musicality that creates the Art of Skating as moving sculpture.

JUDGING CRITERIA

I. EDGE and STROKING MASTERY, CHOREOGRAPHY and MUSICALITY, OVERALL SKATING.

II. BEAUTY OF POSITIONS, VISUAL MASTERY, OVERALL SKATING.

III. AUDIENCE APPEAL.

RANKING

Each group carries equal weight and will be evaluated by a distinct judge (with possible audience involvement on III). Each judge will rank-order the skaters for their category. The lowest sum of all skaters’ Fancy Skating Points obtains the highest Championship Rank.

FANCY SKATING PENALTIES are as follows:

• Music with any derogatory language – 9 point penalty
• Unsportsmanlike conduct – 9 point penalty

 Please contact World Figure Sport’s Global Headquarters with any questions at 518.304.3029.

FANCY SKATING MUSIC INFORMATION FOR ALL DIVISIONS

Music for the World Championships and World Junior Divisions – Music Length: 2:00 – 3:40 minutes + or – 10 seconds

Music for the International Open, Team Fancy Skating and Inclusive Skating Divisions – Music Length: 1:30 – 3:40 minutes + or – 10 seconds

Choose from the following musical options:

• Live Music: Live performing artist: vocal or instrumental 

• Additional Music: Any recorded music: vocal or instrumental from any genre or time period

• Original Music: WFS can create an original score or recording with your help

With guidance from WFS, Skating Artists may efficiently adapt any previous or current programs into a beautiful Fancy Skating performance.

World Figure Sport has the capacity to help all Skating Artists and coaches with music consultation, editing services, and original arrangements. Skating Artists preparing for World events and other divisions are encouraged to set up a music consultation by texting 518.304.3029 to request a music appointment.

VIDEO/FILMING/PHOTOGRAPHY

In the World Figure & Fancy Skating Championships’ Class Skating Artists should be prepared to perform in spotlights, any lighting questions should be directed to the WFS Office before Worlds. All divisions may be followed closely on the ice by official WFS videography and/or photographers while performing their Figure Artworks and Fancy Skating choreography.

World Figure Sport’s Procedures and Protocols’ documents may be updated by the WFS Board of Directors at its discretion. Please contact World Figure Sport’s Global Headquarters with any questions by phone, text or WhatsApp at 518-304-3029.