Due to the recent surge of COVID-19, U.S. Figure Skating’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Sunday night to conduct the 2021 U.S. Championship Series presented by Toyota via virtual formats, allowing senior and junior athletes to qualify for an in-person 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships while providing high-level programing for Series-registered athletes at the novice, intermediate and juvenile levels.
“While we understand many of our athletes and their families may be disappointed by this announcement, the health and safety of our members remain paramount,” U.S. Figure Skating President Anne Cammett said. “As a skating community, our continued ability to adapt during the ongoing pandemic shows the resiliency of our athletes, coaches and officials and their passion for our sport.”
Announced in August as an alternative to U.S. Figure Skating’s traditional qualifying season, the 2021 U.S. Championship Series presented by Toyota was scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 9 in Norwood, Mass.; Blaine, Minn.; and Spokane, Wash. The revision of the entire in-person Series will result in the following adjustments to the remainder of the season:
- Senior and junior athletes registered for the Series and not previously qualified for the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships will be offered the opportunity to compete in a virtual qualifying competition for the remaining entry positions without needing to earn a minimum technical element score. Additional information will be provided Nov. 9.
- Novice, intermediate and juvenile competitors registered for the Series will be offered the opportunity to participate in high-level competitive programming to identify the National High Performance Development Team. The programming, hosted by U.S. Figure Skating’s High Performance, Athlete Programs and Events departments, will offer a variety of virtual and in-person opportunities January through May, as conditions allow. Additional information will be provided Nov. 9.
Further information, including the fee refund process, will be provided Nov. 9.
