U.S. Figure Skating has announced that the qualifying series for the 2021 U.S. Championship will be held virtually due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the country.
The Board of Directors of the organization voted unanimously to allow senior and junior skaters to qualify for an in-person National Championship event, and also to provide high-level programing for Series-registered athletes at the novice, intermediate, and juvenile levels.
The 2021 U.S. Championship Series, presented by Toyota, was scheduled to begin the week of November 9 in Norwood, Massachusetts; Blaine, Minnesota; and Spokane, Washington. Now, senior and junior athletes registered for the series and not previously qualified for the National Championship 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.
According to the press release – 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 from January through May, as conditions allow.
Additional information is set to be provided November 9.
