Hi Manleywoman-
For all Masters levels, an axel type jump & combination/jump sequence are now required (as part of the maximum 7 jump elements) under the new well balanced program requirements just passed at Governing Council.

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Christy

I thought an axel was required to pass the US Adult Gold test. But maybe I'm wrong???

Yes and no - I am not sure I agree with you! It can be an issue, certainly - but I would never have managed many jumps even if I'd started skating as a 6-year-old, so I don't expect to do them now I'm in my 50s. At least I understand more about how my body works now!

And I do know skaters in their 40s and 50s who are working on their axels, if not landing them consistently. One friend is a lot nearer your end of the decade than mine, but she is working on her axel. She did skate as a youngster, but not to that level!

So it isn't just age.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

An axel is required in adult gold

My skating as a child amounts to about 20 times. I skipped gym in school and only did some horseback riding and barrel racing.... bike riding and stuff. No ballet or dance. Very klutzy as a kid.

So, I'm 44 years old and have been skating for 4 years now. I'm still trying to get all my single jumps and fixing a few of them (bad technique). I have a beginner camel and the start of a sit spin.

That being said, the best thing my coach said to me at the end of the season was that when we hit the ice again in the fall.....if I work hard enough and want it bad enough I might have a double salchow by the end of next season! But, she said I'd have but really bust my behind for it!

I think that's pretty cool. But she also said she won't work on it until I get my flip and lutz first.... (nothing like a little incentive, eh?)

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

As another poster already mentioned, the axel is a requirement for the Adult Gold freestyle test. However, no "axel type jump" is required in actual Adult Gold competition, or any of the lower level adult programs. We don't have any "required elements" since we don't skate a "short program." The only requirements are those listed in our balanced program rules (i.e., minimum of one jump combination or sequence and a maximum of three; exactly one step or spiral sequence, etc.)

Hi newskater5, I have been skating for 18months and started skating when I was 27. I reckon you can achieve anything on how bad you want it. Currently I am learning to do axels on ice. That being said I skate 7 - 9 times a week and and have lessons twice a week. And remember skating is all about falling :-) so have fun

It's required to pass the test but not required to compete with at the Gold level. Manleywoman was hoping to leave it out of her competitive program.

For the test, yes. I don't think you "have" to do one in your program but in order to meet well-balanced program standards you should.

Now that I think about it ... Does anyone know if there is an actual deduction if you don't specifically meet the well-balanced program standard?

Yes, there are deductions. I believe under 6.0 it's a 0.1 per mark (someone correct me if I'm wrong) if the judges choose to take it. I think in IJS it's treated as a fall (-1) off the total mark.

Im all for going as far as you want and mentally are able to ... the minds the first hurdle after all...

Besides, it means that if you succeed then I have more of a chance as well (22yo, started in Feb, but am not allowed to skate again until next year - hopefully earlier depending on how my treatment goes - and I got 3-turns within a few weeks, and choctaws within 2 months)

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-Erinna-
aka cassarilda

My Progress Report!
"Did I mention there is only ONE rink in Melbourne?!"
"If you're not flying, you're obviously not trying!!!" - courtsey of the guy who helped me up off the ice after my last spectacular and sore fall

With the right amount of determination I would think it's very possible to get as far as an axel and some doubles at the least, as you are still relatively young. Triples may be a different matter as not all the kids can manage triples (that is very dependant on your natural ability and athleticism) A skater at my rink started later than that and now has an axel and is working on doubles. She didn't skate very seriously at the beginning so it hasn't been quick (10 years maybe) but she has got there.

I started at 37 and didn't believe I'd ever be able to jump so started doing dance. I got bored with the compulsories (so tedious to me) although I loved doing free dances (this is solo) and everyone told me I skated like a free skater anyway (too klutzy for dance maybe) so eventually decided to give jumps a go. This was when I was past the age of 40 with a dodgy back (history of slipped disk and sacro-illiac joint problems) and dodgy knee (old skiing accident). A few years down the line I have my single jumps up to but not yet including the Lutz and can see the possibility of working on an axel even if I never manage to land one. I'm not particularly athletic (also slightly overweight) and did not do gym or ballet or roller blading as a kid (all things that in my experience really help with skating). I skated once at the age of 14 on a disco session and then not again til I was about 35!

Skating is very much a mental game - you do have to believe you can do it. I'm trying to persuade myself I can do the Lutz

Even if you never get your doubles you can have a lot of fun in adult competitions (it is unlikely starting at your age that you'd ever be competitive at the Senior level and the lower levels are age restricted usually). I'm in the UK and won a bronze medal (at level 2 and under - no axels allowed) in last years British Adult Championships and that was only my third ever Freeskating competition and first freeskating championships. It may not mean a lot in the grand scheme of things but it was a real thrill for me!

Enjoy your skating!

You can go as far as you are able, given the limitations of:

• your athleticism and physical abilities
• your mental toughness
• amount of time you can spend on the ice

All are equally important, in my opinion. One of the things that tends to make adults progress slower and hit various brick walls (in terms of skills attainable) is time on the ice. We have lives and jobs and responsibilities which all tend to interfere with ice time. Most kid skaters I know spend about twice the amount of time on the ice as the adult skaters. Also, let's face it, we heal slower. So when we're off the ice for an injury or health problem, we're off longer than the kids too.

Getting old sucks, now that I think about it!