Flo, I agree. The adult pairs competition requirements are crazy. My partner and I would be forced into Masters because of his singles test level 20 years ago. We, unlike you guys, are not a good pair, and it would be ridiculous for us to be competing at a Masters level.

I understand the desire to encourage "safe" pairs skating for adults, but I don't buy the whole concept of using your singles freeskating level to determine your competition level. Singles and pairs are really two different disciplines that have some overlap. The techniques for lifts, throws, death spirals, etc. are very different from singles. If they want to make some kind of correlation, they should err on the side of using a lower singles test level.

[We may not be a good pair, but we're a fun pair!]

I was required to skate at Gold freestyle because of my test level as a kid. I agree with that.

Even if I had a desire to, I would never, never, never skate pairs under the currect rules. I would be required to be in masters, from what I understand, and that is downright scary for someone who has never done anything but singles.

Singles and pairs are different, and ITA that they should go with pairs tests as an indicator, not singles tests. Just my 2 cents .

__________________
"The only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary." -- Vidal Sasson

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." -- Unknown

The masters pairs field has been interesting. Although I don't think we should be competing with skaters who had skated as kids, we were in the correct group as far as skills that year. The team who won the gold was great and had a split double twist. We were the only ones with a combination overhead - a platter star, and skated our program well, and were really happy with our placement. I've also skated in masters where the majority of the field were high level returning skaters - but then again, we were not at our best! I'd like to skate pairs again - and compete with other adults at whatever level! So I'm staying at silver and juvenile pairs until the dust settles. Let me know if there are any men out there interested!
Good luck. And a gold medal to the "fun" pair!