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This page are events hosted at our GRAND RAPIDS OPEN in June each year.

Dates are June 21-23, 2024.

Single Free Skate

• Entrants may skate up a level and may enter either the test track or the Well-Balanced free skate events but NOT both.
• Times are +/-10 seconds unless otherwise specified.  Max times may be anything up to the stated time.
• Well-Balanced program requirements not specified below are defined in the US Figure Skating Rulebook:  4090 – 4740.

Well-Balanced programs judged on 6.0 system

• Pre-Preliminary:  1:40 max sec . (4270).   Must have passed the Pre-Prelim Free Skate test and no higher.
• Preliminary Limited:  1:30+/-10 sec. (4260).  Must have passed the Preliminary Free Skate test and no higher.  May include Axels.  May not include double jumps or flying spins.
• Preliminary:  1:30+/-10 sec. (4260).  Must have passed the Preliminary Free Skate test and no higher.
• Pre-Juvenile:  2:00 +/-10 sec. (4250).  Must have passed the Pre-Juvenile Free Skate test and no higher.
• Open Juvenile:  2:15+/-10 sec. (4240).  Must be 14 years old or older as of closing date.  Must have passed the Juvenile Free Skate test and no higher.
• Adult PreBronze:  Max 1:40 minutes (4600).  Must have passed the Adult PreBronze or Pre-Preliminary Free Stake test or its equivalent and no higher.
• Adult Bronze:  Max 1:50 minutes (4590).  Must have passed the Adult Bronze or Preliminary Free Skate test or its equivalent and no higher.
• Adult Silver:  Max 2:10 minutes (4580).  Must have passed the Adult Silver or Pre-Juvenile/Juvenile Free Skate test or its equivalent and no higher.

Well-Balanced programs using the International Judging System (IJS)

• Juvenile:  2:15+/-10 sec. (4240).  Must have not reached the age of 14 years old as of the closing date.  Must have passed the Juvenile Free Skate test and no higher.
• Intermediate:  2:30+/-10 sec. (4230).  Must have passed the Intermediate Free Skate test and no higher.
• Novice:  Ladies – 3 min; Men – 3.5 min+/-10 sec. (4220).  Must have passed the Novice Free Skate test and no higher.
• Junior:  Ladies – 3.5 min.; Men – 4 min+/-10 sec. (4210).  Must have passed the Junior Free Skate test and no higher.
• Senior:  Ladies – 4 min; Men 4.5 min+/-10 sec. (4200).  Must have passed the Senior Free Skate test.
• Adult Gold:  Max 2:40 minutes (4570).  Must have passed the Adult Gold or Juvenile Free Skate test or its equivalent.

Short Program (with music)

IJS will be used for Juvenile – Senior – Additional program requirements as defined in the US Figure Skating Rulebook 4080 – 4921
Elements are for the 2015-2016 season

Open Juvenile Short Program (6.0):  max 2 minutes
1. Jump combination — two single jumps or one double jump and one single jump
2. Axel (may not be repeated)
3. Solo Jump —  single jump, double toe-loop jump or double Salchow jump (may not be repeated)
4. Solo spin— minimum 5 revolutions in position (may commence with a jump)
5. Spin combination — only one change of foot and at least one change of position (4 revs each foot)
6. Step sequence —straight line, circular, or serpentine

Juvenile Short Program (IJS) max 2 minutes
As stated by the current US Figure Skating Rulebook (4230) for the intermediate short program.

Intermediate Short Program (IJS) max 2 minutes
As stated by the current US figure Skating Rulebook (4230).

Novice Short Program (IJS) max 2 min 30 sec
As stated by the current US Figure Skating Rulebook (4220)

Junior Short Program (IJS):  max 2 min 50 sec
Requirements can be found at usfigureskating.org.
As stated by the current US Figure Skating Rulebook (4210)

Senior Short Program (IJS):  max 2 min 50 sec
Requirements can be found at usfigureskating.org.
As stated by the current US Figure Skating Rulebook (4200)

Introductory Levels Free Skate Program

The Grand Rapids Open offers Introductory Levels Free Skate Program events for Beginner through High Beginner and No Test levels.

General event parameters:

• Skaters will skate to the music of their choice. Vocal music is permitted at all levels.
• Level will be determined by the highest Free Skate test passed. Skaters may compete at the highest level they have passed, or “skate up” to one level higher.
• Minimum number of spin revolutions are in parentheses following the spin description. Revolutions must be in position.

Test Track Free Skate

The Grand Rapids Open offers Test Track Free Skate events for Pre-Preliminary through Senior levels.

General event parameters:

• Skaters may not enter both a Well Balanced Free Skate event and a Test Track Free Skate event at the same non qualifying competition.
• Skaters will skate to the music of their choice. Vocal music IS permitted at all levels.
• Level will be determined by the highest Free Skate test passed. Skaters may compete at the highest level they have passed, or “skate up” to one level higher.
• Minimum number of spin revolutions are in ( ) following the spin description. Revolutions must be in position.
• The following deductions will be taken:
  • 0.1 from each mark for each technical element included that is not permitted in the event description.
  • 0.2 from the technical mark for each extra element included.
  • 0.1 from the technical mark for any spin that is less than the required minimum revolutions.

U.S. Figure Skating Nonqualifying Competitions

EVENT:  Introductory Levels Compulsory Event

Beginner through High Beginner and No Test levels.

Format: In simple program form, using a limited number of connecting steps, the skating order of the required elements is optional

• To be skated on ½ ice
• No music is allowed
• The skater must demonstrate the required elements and may use any additional elements from previous levels
• A 0.2 deduction will be taken for each element performed from a higher level
• Skaters may have the option to skate one level higher in compulsories than their free skate program

EVENT:  Compulsory Moves

Pre-Preliminary through Pre-Juvenile levels.
General event parameters:

• Basic Skills – Juvenile:  Elements skated on ½ ice
• Elements may be performed only once
• Music is not allowed

EVENT: Jumps Challenge

Beginner through Senior levels.
General event parameters:

• Each jump may be attempted twice; the best attempt will be counted.
• Pre-juvenile and lower will be skated ½ ice; Juvenile – senior will be skated on full ice
• Jumps with an “*” must be preceded with connecting steps (intermediate – senior)

EVENT:  Spins Challenge

Beginner through Senior levels.
General event parameters:

• Spins may be skated in any order. Connecting steps are allowed, but will not be taken into consideration in scoring. Spins may not be repeated. On required elements may be included.
• All events are skated on ½ ice.
• Minimum number of revolutions are noted in parentheses.

2015 U.S. Figure Skating Solo Dance Series Events

The GRAND RAPIDS OPEN is a participating competition within the 2015 Solo Dance Series.
The solo pattern dance event, combined event and shadow dance events are being offered as part of the 2015 U.S. Figure Skating Solo Dance Series and will be conducted in accordance with the 2015 Solo Dance Series Handbook found at http://www.usfigureskating.org/Programs.asp?id=479.  Please refer to the 2015 Solo Dance Series handbook for the current Series rules, levels and event requirements that will be in effect for this competition.

More information about all the events can be found HERE.

U.S. Figure Skating Nonqualifying Competitions

Free Skate 1-6 Program Event

Format: The skating order of the required elements is optional. The elements are not restricted as to the number of times element is executed, or length of glides, number of revolutions, etc. unless otherwise stated. Connecting moves and steps should be demonstrated throughout the program. Vocal music is allowed.

• To be skated on full ice.

• The skater must demonstrate the required elements and may use but is not required to use any additional elements from previous levels
• A .2 deduction will be taken for each element performed from a higher level
• Time 1:30+/-10sec

Basic Elements Event: SNOWPLOW SAM – BASIC 8

Format: The skating order of the required elements is optional. The elements are not restricted as to the number of times the element is executed or length of glides, number of revolutions, etc. unless otherwise specified. Vocal music is allowed.

• To be skated on full ice
• The skater may use elements from a previous level
• A .2 deduction will be taken for each element performed from a higher level
• Time: 1:00 +/- 10 seconds

Showcase Events

Performances will be judged from an entertainment standpoint, for theatrical and artistic qualities. Technical skating skills and difficulty will not be rewarded as such; however, skating must be the major element of the performance and be of sufficient quality to support the selected theatrical elements. Unintended falls, poorly executed skating elements and obvious losses of control will reduce contestant’s mark. Theatrical elements evaluated will include energy, poise, acting, pantomime, eye contact, choreography, form/extension and the use of props and ice. One mark will be given by each judge for each performance. No technical skating mark will be used.  May use scenery and/or hand-held props or those that skater can get on and off ice without assistance.

General event parameters:

• Level will be determined by the highest Free Skate or dance (solo or partnered) test passed. Skaters may compete at the highest level they have passed, or “skate up” to one level higher.
• The determination of level will be based upon test requirement at the entry deadline
• Current Guidelines and Procedures for Nonqualifying Showcase competitions can be found at www.usfigureskating.org, under Programs and on the National Showcase page.

Events:
1.  Dramatic:  Programs should express intense emotional connection and investment in the music, choreography and theme concept through related skating movements, gestures and physical actions.
2.  Light Entertainment:  Showcase program that should express a carefree concept or storyline designed to uplift and entertain the audience through related skating movements, gestures and physical actions.
3.  Duet: Duets are theatrical or artistic performances by any competitors.
(Duets must compete at the highest test level of the two skaters)

Beginner, No Test  Showcase Program
Must not have passed PrePreliminary FS test.
No age restriction
Duration: Max 1:30 min. No Axels or double jumps.
Pre-Preliminary Showcase Program
Must not have passed Preliminary FS test.
No age restriction.
Duration: Max 1:30 min. No Axels or double jumps.
Preliminary Showcase Program
Must have passed Prelim FS but not PreJuv FS test
Duration: Max 1:40 min.  No min. age; max age 20.
PreJuvenile Showcase Program
Must have passed  PreJuv FS or 2 Prelim.dances.
But not Juvenile FS or complete Bronze dances.
Duration: Max 1:40 min.  No min. age; max age 20.
Juvenile Showcase Program
Must have passed Juvenile FS or complete Prelim.Dances.
But not Intermediate FS or any Silver dances.
Duration: Max 2:10 min. Age: 13 and under
Teen Showcase Program
Must have passed Juvenile FS or complete Prelim.Dances.
But not Intermediate FS or any Silver dances.
Duration: Max 2:10 min. Age: 14 – 17 years.
Intermediate Showcase Program
Must have passed Intermediate FS or complete Bronze dances.
But not Novice FS or any Gold dances
Duration: Max 2:10 min. Age: 17 and under
Novice Showcase Program
Must have passed Novice FS or one Silver dance.
But not Junior FS or any Gold dances.
Duration: Max 2:10 min. No age restriction.

Junior Showcase Program
Must have passed Junior FS or 2 Pre-Gold dances.
But not Senior FS or complete Gold dances.
Duration: Max 2:40 min. No age restriction
Senior Showcase Program
Must have passed Senior FS or complete Gold dances.
Duration: Max 2:40 min. No age restriction.
Young Adult Showcase Program
Must have passed Juvenile FS or complete Prelim. dance
But not Novice FS or any Gold dance
Duration: Max 2:10 min. Age: 18 – 20.
Adult Bronze/Silver  Showcase Program
May not have passed Gold FS or any Pre Gold dance test.
Duration: Max. 1:40 min.  Age 21 and older.
Adult Gold/Masters  Showcase Program
Must have passed Gold FS or one Pre-Gold dance test.
Duration: Max. 1:40 min.  Age 21 and older.