Moving On Up
For those of you who aren’t familiar with how skating competitions are broken up, let me explain. I tell people it’s like karate. You test into a “belt,” or a level, and you typically compete against people around your age. So unless you are in a championship event, a 21 year old skater usually would not skate against a 65 year old. Typically.
This year’s adult sectionals event is a bit strange. I logged into my competitor portal and noticed that I was placed in a higher age group. Naturally, I sent a note to the competitor chair, and her response back was that the chief referee wanted no more than 5-6 skaters in a group. And that I was placed with others close to my age. As a result, I’ll be skating with ladies in the 45-65+ age range.
Don’t make any assumptions! These ladies are VERY competitive and very talented. Some of them even place in the top 10 across the entire eastern seaboard! So although I got bumped up to a higher age bracket, my competition is still fierce.
The same thing happened with another skating friend of mine so I guess it’s a “thing” this year. Time to get practicing!
Edit: After I contacted USFSA and the local organizing committee, they moved me back into my correct age group.
From my experience, the 45-65+ range is fierce (I know, I’m in there)! Glad they revisited their decision to put you there so you’re spared the question (are you really…?). Either way, I know you won’t be kicking back and relaxing during your training. Go get ’em, Eva!
Author
I was intimidated by the upper age range because many of those ladies have decades of experience on me!
I’m sure both you and they are happy that you got moved into your correct age group. I’m glad that you asked about it.
Author
Yes! It almost makes me wonder if the EMS system had the wrong age group categories loaded in. In the old age group categories, I would have been in the older group. Oh well!