Officials

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Category: Rules of sport

Terms used:

Act

The Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act S.C. 2009, c.23 including the regulations made pursuant to the Act, and any statute or regulations that may be substituted, as amended from time to time.

Additional Features

Refers to technical content in synchronized skating that increases the difficulty of an element, such as step sequences, free skating moves, free skating elements and points of intersection. 

Base Level Technical Official

An individual sixteen years of age or older who is responsible for accurate technical panel process and for authorizing, correcting, deleting and adding elements to the list of elements performed during an event. The BLTO assists with the identification of elements in competition. The BLTO also assists with the identification of falls and illegal elements where appropriate to the level. The BLTO is qualified to act on a panel at or below a specified level of competition in singles only and can only be assigned to events where elements can be called no higher than base level and juvenile singles.

Base Level Technical Officials

An individual sixteen years of age or older who is responsible for accurate technical panel process and for authorizing, correcting, deleting and adding elements to the list of elements performed during an event. The BLTO assists with the identification of elements in competition. The BLTO also assists with the identification of falls and illegal elements where appropriate to the level. The BLTO is qualified to act on a panel at or below a specified level of competition in singles only and can only be assigned to events where elements can be called no higher than base level and juvenile singles.

Board

The board of Directors of Skate Canada.

Canadian Figure Skating Championships

A championship that qualifies athletes toward and including, but not limited to, the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, and the Olympic Winter Games.

Categories

The name for each level of competition within a discipline.  Examples of categories are STAR 1, STAR 2, Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Pre-Novice, etc.

Challenge

A championship that qualifies athletes toward and including, but not limited to, the Canadian Figure Skating Championships.

Chief Data Specialist

The data specialist who oversees the team of data specialists at a competition.

Closely Related

Husband, wife (or common law spouse), mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, daughter, son, granddaughter, grandson, sister, brother, niece or nephew and such similar relationships created at law.

Club

A not-for-profit organization that is operating for the general purpose of providing Skate Canada skating programs and is managed by a volunteer board of directors.

Club Competition

A competition for which only members of the holding club are eligible.

Dance Lifts

A movement in which one of the partners is elevated with active and/or passive assistance of the other partner to any permitted height, sustained there and set down on the ice. Any rotations and positions and changes of such positions during the lift are permitted. Any variation or combinations of dance lifts as determined by the ISU Ice Dance Technical Committee are published in an ISU Communication.

Data Specialist

An individual sixteen years of age or older who has been trained and appointed to calculate the results of sanctioned figure skating competitions.

Data Specialists

An individual sixteen years of age or older who has been trained and appointed to calculate the results of sanctioned figure skating competitions.

Difficulty Groups Of Elements

All elements in synchronized skating are divided into groups of difficulty based on the number of features included. Lists of difficulty groups of elements are determined each or every second year and published in a Skate Canada and ISU communication.

Evaluator

An individual sixteen years of age or older who is responsible for evaluating assessments in the STAR 6-Gold structure.  Evaluators are qualified to assess in one or more disciplines.

Evaluators

An individual sixteen years of age or older who is responsible for evaluating assessments in the STAR 6-Gold structure.  Evaluators are qualified to assess in one or more disciplines.

Event

The name given to a group of skaters entered in a category. There may be one event per category or several events per category depending on the number of total entries. Each event is independent of the other events within the category.

Events

The name given to a group of skaters entered in a category. There may be one event per category or several events per category depending on the number of total entries. Each event is independent of the other events within the category.

Fall

Defined as a loss of control by a skater with the result that the majority of the skater's body weight is on the ice being supported by any other part of the body other than the blades. e.g. hand(s), knee(s), back, buttock(s) or any part of the arm.

Features

Technical content that increases the difficulty of an element which may become part of the difficulty group of an element.  Features such as pivoting, travelling, body movements, etc. are determined annually and published in a Skate Canada and ISU Communication.

Good Standing

The state or condition of a person who has paid all dues outstanding to Skate Canada, a Club, or a Skating School (as applicable) and whom the Board has not declared not to be in good standing and in the case of Members, a Member whose Membership has not been terminated pursuant to Article 3 hereof.

Grade Of Execution

The mark given by a judge to evaluate the quality of an element in a program.  There are 11 GOEs ranging from +5 to -5.

Grades of Execution

The mark given by a judge to evaluate the quality of an element in a program.  There are 11 GOEs ranging from +5 to -5.

International Skating Union

The International Skating Union (ISU) is the exclusive international sport federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee administering the sports of Figure Skating and Speed Skating throughout the world. The ISU is composed of a number of national associations called ISU Members that administer ISU sports at the national level and recognize that all international matters are under the sole jurisdiction and control of the ISU.

Interruption

The period of time starting immediately when the competitor stops performing the program or is ordered to do so by the referee, whichever is earlier, and ending when the competitor resumes the performance.

Interruptions

The period of time starting immediately when the competitor stops performing the program or is ordered to do so by the referee, whichever is earlier, and ending when the competitor resumes the performance.

Invitational Competitions

A competition that is open to competitors and/or teams from more than one club and may include members of other foreign associations. There may be a selection process whereby skaters qualify to advance to higher levels of competition based on their results at the club/regional/sectional level.

Judge

An individual sixteen years of age or older who has been trained and appointed to officiate at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.

Judges

An individual sixteen years of age or older who has been trained and appointed to officiate at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.

Level Of Difficulty

The term given to certain features of elements that increase the value of an element. There are 5 levels of difficulty ranging from Level Base to Level 4.

Levels Of Difficulty

The term given to certain features of elements that increase the value of an element. There are 5 levels of difficulty ranging from Level Base to Level 4.

Member

Each person that meets the requirements of any of the three Member classes as defined in Article 3 hereof and that has been duly admitted as a member of Skate Canada.

Members

Each person that meets the requirements of any of the three Member classes as defined in Article 3 hereof and that has been duly admitted as a member of Skate Canada.

Pattern Dance Elements

A series of prescribed steps, turns and movements in a rhythm dance consisting of a sequence of a pattern dance or a section of a pattern dance or a combination of steps/turns from pattern dances

Program Component

The mark given by a judge to assess the different aspects of a skater’s performance. There are three PCs: Composition, Presentation and Skating Skills. The Program Components marking range is from 0.25 to 10.0.

Program Components

The mark given by a judge to assess the different aspects of a skater’s performance. There are three PCs: Composition, Presentation and Skating Skills. The Program Components marking range is from 0.25 to 10.0.

Qualifying Event

A qualifying event is any competition or any event that qualifies skaters to the sectional championships and higher. These include, without limitation, Sectional Championships, Skate Canada Challenge, Synchronized Regional Championships, Canadian Figure Skating Championships and Canada Cup.

Qualifying Events

A qualifying event is any competition or any event that qualifies skaters to the sectional championships and higher. These include, without limitation, Sectional Championships, Skate Canada Challenge, Synchronized Regional Championships, Canadian Figure Skating Championships and Canada Cup.

Referee

A referee of an event within a competition is an experienced judge who has received further training to conduct an event and monitor the performance of the panel of judges. Referees are qualified to referee or judge at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.

Referees

A referee of an event within a competition is an experienced judge who has received further training to conduct an event and monitor the performance of the panel of judges. Referees are qualified to referee or judge at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.

Regional Synchronized Skating Championships

A championship that qualifies athletes toward and including, but not limited to, the Canadian Figure Skating Championships or Canada Cup

Regionals

A championship that qualifies athletes toward and including, but not limited to, the Canadian Figure Skating Championships or Canada Cup

Registrant

Includes (i) an individual who is registered by a Club or Skating School with Skate Canada and who is subject to all applicable rules, regulations and policies of Skate Canada but who is not a Member; and (ii) an individual who is engaged in any activity provided, sponsored, supported, sanctioned or recognized by Skate Canada and registered directly with Skate Canada but who is not a Member.

Rhythm

The regularly repeated pattern of accented and unaccented beats which gives the music its character.

Rhythm Dance

A dance created by an ice dance team to dance music with designated rhythm(s) and/or theme(s) selected annually by the ISU Ice Dance Technical Committee.

Section

An organization incorporated or organized in a particular province or territory (and in some cases, a combination thereof) strategically aligned with Skate Canada, that may receive funds from provincial or territorial Governmental Authorities and be subject to applicable sport recognition programs and transfer payment arrangements. Each Section is held to the governance and operating requirements of their respective province and / or territory(ies) and is responsible for skating in their respective jurisdictions.

Sectionals

A championship that qualifies athletes toward and including but not limited to Skate Canada Challenge and the Canadian Figure Skating Championships.

Segment

The name given to a portion of an event.  Some categories have two segments (e.g., short program and free program) and some categories have only one segment.

Skate Canada Challenge

A championship that qualifies athletes toward and including, but not limited to, the Canadian Figure Skating Championships.

Steps

The visible tracing on the ice that is executed on one foot. A step is counted each time there is a change of foot.

Technical Controller

An individual sixteen years of age or older who is responsible for accurate technical panel process and authorizes, corrects, deletes and adds elements to the list of elements performed during an event. Technical controllers are qualified to act on panels at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.

Technical Controllers

An individual sixteen years of age or older who is responsible for accurate technical panel process and authorizes, corrects, deletes and adds elements to the list of elements performed during an event. Technical controllers are qualified to act on panels at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.

Technical Specialist

An individual sixteen years of age or older who identifies elements and levels of difficulty of elements in competition. The technical specialist also identifies falls and illegal elements. Technical specialists are qualified to act on panels at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.

Technical Specialists

An individual sixteen years of age or older who identifies elements and levels of difficulty of elements in competition. The technical specialist also identifies falls and illegal elements. Technical specialists are qualified to act on panels at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating.

Tempo

The speed of the music in beats or measures per minute.

Trial Judges

A person who is training to become qualified as a judge or a judge who is training to become qualified at a higher level.

Contents[Hide]

1. Eligibility to Officiate

In order to officiate at a competition or assessment day sanctioned by Skate Canada, the following must apply:

  • Must be a Registrant in Good Standing
  • All officials must be sixteen years of age or older
  • Must be qualified as per the Officials Appointment and Qualification Procedure
  • Must have completed the Skate Canada Code of Ethics Officials Training (valid for one year)
  • Must have completed the Respect in Sport Activity Leader Training (valid for three years)
  • Screening must be done through the company approved by Skate Canada and must show a status of “Clear” (valid for three years)

Note: active coaches may only act as STAR 1-4 Event Assessors, Base Level Technical Officials, Technical Controllers and Technical Specialists.

2. Appointment of Officials

Appointments and qualifications of all officials must follow the Officials Appointment and Qualification Procedure.

2.1. Extent of Appointment

Any Evaluator, Judge, Referee, Base Level Technical Official, Technical Controller or Technical Specialist is eligible to officiate at or below the official’s specified level of qualification in the applicable disciplines.

Primary Judges are qualified to judge any Event at a Club Competition.

STAR 1-4 Event Assessors are qualified to judge any Event that is assess to standard.

Juvenile Judges are qualified to judge Juvenile or lower Events in the applicable discipline at any competition up to and including Sectionals and STAR 8 and lower Events at Invitational Competitions.

Pre-Novice Judges are qualified to judge Pre-Novice or lower Events in the applicable discipline at any competition up to and including Sectionals and Gold and lower Events at Invitational Competitions.

Senior Invitational Judges are qualified to judge Junior and Senior Events in the applicable discipline as a minority on the panel at Invitational Competitions. Senior Invitational Judges are also qualified to judge Novice and lower Events in the applicable discipline at any competition up to and including Sectionals and all STAR categories at Invitational Competitions.

Novice, Junior, and Senior Judges are qualified to judge the corresponding levels or lower Events in the applicable discipline at any competition up to and including Sectionals/Regionals and any level Event at Invitational Competitions. Senior Judges may be invited to complete the panel in the applicable discipline for Skate Canada Challenge. Senior synchronized skating Judges may be invited to complete the panel for the Canadian Figure Skating Championships or Canada Cup.

Challenge Judges are qualified to judge all Events in the applicable discipline in all competitions up to and including Skate Canada Challenge and Skate Canada Trophy. Challenge Judges may be invited to complete the panel in the applicable discipline for the Canadian Figure Skating Championships.

Canadian Judges are qualified to judge all Events in all competitions up to and including the Canadian Figure Skating Championships and Skate Canada Cup in the applicable discipline.

International and ISU Judges are qualified to judge all Events in all competitions up to and including the Canadian Figure Skating Championships, and any international/ISU competitions as per ISU guidelines.

Referees are eligible to referee Events if also qualified to judge those Events.

Invitational Referees may referee Events up to and including the Senior level and any Event at the Gold level or lower in the applicable discipline in Invitational Competitions.

Sectional/Regional, Challenge and Canadian Referees may referee any Events at any competitions in the applicable disciplines up to and including the highest level at which they are qualified.

Base Level Technical Officials may act as the Technical Specialist 2 or Technical Controller in singles Events at competitions where elements can be identified at no higher than Level Base and Juvenile Singles.

Sectional/Regional, Challenge and Canadian Technical Controllers may act as Technical Controllers in the applicable disciplines at Events at competitions up to and including the highest levels at which they are qualified. Technical Controllers may, in specific cases, also serve as Technical Specialist (refer to Composition of the Panel of Officials for specific detail).

Sectional/Regional, Challenge and Canadian Technical Specialists may act as Technical Specialist in the applicable disciplines at Events at competitions up to and including the highest levels at which they are qualified.

Data Specialists at any level are eligible to act as Chief Data Specialists at or below their current level of qualification. Individuals may act as Data Specialists (this includes Data Specialists in training) up to one level higher than their current qualification.

2.2. Rescinding of Appointment

Evaluators, Judges, Referees, Technical Controllers, Technical Specialists, Base Level Technical Officials and Data Specialists who are inactive for more than 24 consecutive months will be removed from the list by the relevant section committee unless satisfactory reason exists.

Demotion or removal of Referees, Evaluators, Judges, Technical Controllers, Technical Specialists, Base Level Technical Officials or Data Specialists may be made at any time for good and sufficient reason by the Officials Assignment and Promotion Committee, in consultation with the relevant section committee.

2.3. Reappointment of Officials

Evaluators, Judges, Referees, Technical Controllers, Technical Specialists, Base Level Technical Officials or Data Specialists whose appointments have been rescinded for reasons other than incompetence, may be re-appointed to a level not higher than their previous level upon completion of appropriate updating activities.

A request for reappointment as an Evaluator (all levels), section level and below Judge, Referee, Technical Controller, Technical Specialist, Base Level Technical Official, introductory, level I or II Data Specialist will be considered by the relevant committee of the official’s home section.

A request for reappointment as a Challenge level and above Judge, Referee, Technical Controller or Technical Specialist will be considered by the Skate Canada Officials Assignment and Promotion Committee. A request for reappointment as a level III Data Specialist will be considered by Skate Canada.

3. Compensation

Officials may receive direct compensation for their duties and expertise.

4. Conflict of Interest

A Chief Data Specialist, Data Specialist, Judge, Referee, Technical Controller or Technical Specialist may not officiate in an Event of a competition, where any of the following circumstances prevail. This conflict of interest rule does not apply to STAR 1-4 Event Assessors, Coach Assessors, Evaluators, Technical Representatives, Data Input and Video Replay Operators. 

  • When the official is currently, or has in the past twelve months been the regular coach/choreographer of the competitor
  • When the livelihood of the official is dependent on, or is perceived to be dependent on the outcome of the competitor in a competition or assessment
  • When, due to the personal relationship with the competitor, or the coach/choreographer of the competitor, the official can reasonably be considered to be in a conflict of interest
  • When the official is Closely Related to the competitor
  • When the official is Closely Related to a coach who has been the regular coach of the competitor during the past twelve months
  • When the official is Closely Related to another official on the panel in a Qualifying Event
    • In non-Qualifying Events, Closely Related persons may sit on the same panel provided that no more than one is on the technical panel (TC, TS1, TS2) and no more than one is acting as a Judge
    • Anyone acting as a Referee cannot be a Closely Related person to any Judge or any member of the technical panel
  • When the official has been a skating partner of the competitor during the past twenty-four months in a sanctioned competition or during the past twelve months in an assessment
  • When due to extenuating circumstances, a Data Specialist or Chief Data Specialist is required to officiate contrary to the above, then the Referee must assume the responsibility to verify the procedures employed and/or the calculated results for the Event where the conflict exists
  • When the official is a full-time employee of Skate Canada or a Skate Canada section at the following competitions:
    • Canadian Figure Skating Championships
    • Skate Canada Challenge
    • Skate Canada Trophy
    • Skate Canada Cup
    • Qualifying Events at Regional Synchronized Skating Championships

Duties of Officials

4.1. General

Must keep themselves fully informed on all matters concerning the performance of their duties within the current Skate Canada rules, policies and procedures as well as ISU General Regulations and Special Regulations and Technical Rules, ISU communications, manuals, handbooks and booklets and all updates published on the ISU website as applicable to their level of qualification.

Must have a satisfactory standard of eyesight, hearing and general physical condition in order to perform their duties.

Must adhere to the Skate Canada Code of Ethics.

Must comport themselves with discretion as Skate Canada officials.

Must not show bias for or against any competitor(s) on any grounds.

Must be completely impartial and neutral at all times.

Must disregard public applause or disapproval.

Must base their marks or decisions only on the performance and not be influenced by reputation or past performances.

Must not discuss their marks or decisions and the marks or decisions of other officials during the competition with any person other than the Referee and/or, for members of the technical panel only, the other members of the technical panel of the part of discipline in which they are serving.

Must have a good knowledge of spoken English and/or French.

Must possess good communication skills.

Must not serve as a television commentator at an event where they are serving as an official, nor engage in communications with the media, television, or others except through the Referee or Technical Controller of the part of the event which they are officiating.

Any form of electronic communication device (such as mobile phones, tablets, and smart watches) must be turned off on the officials stand.

Must refrain from posting to any social media outlet in relation to the event, the athletes, the officials, or anyone serving in any capacity at the event while on duty at the competition.

Must share technical and experiential knowledge with colleagues that are developing as Skate Canada officials.

Must respect the confidentiality of all technical panel decisions.

No official participating in a Skate Canada event in any capacity may make negative comments to the public concerning such event.

Must also follow the duties specific to their roles.

4.2. Duties Specific to the Referee

Must follow general duties of all officials.

Conducts all intermediate draws in cooperation with Chief Data Specialist.

Manages the panel of Judges (ensuring that they do not, while on the judges stand, bring notes from previously awarded scores or any form of electronic communication, nor communicate with one another or indicate errors by action or sound, nor look at marks being input by Judges sitting alongside them) and acts as the responsible spokesperson of the panel of Judges should the need arise.

Communicates with the Technical Controller as required.

Conducts a brief meeting with the Judges prior to every Segment of an Event.

Checks compliance of warm-up periods.

Gives a signal to the person in charge of music to announce the next competitor(s).

Times the duration needed by the competitor(s) to take the starting position and decides upon subsequent possible withdrawal or deduction.

Takes necessary actions related to delayed start or restart, including instructing the person in charge of music to stop or restart the music of a competitor(s).

Decides whether the condition of the ice permits the holding of the Event.

Decides upon all protests regarding the Event concerned.

Times, with the assistance of a volunteer timekeeper (if applicable), the program as skated, possible Interruptions, Dance Lifts (ice dance, with the assistance of a second timekeeper).

In ice dance events, times the Tempo of Pattern Dance Elements in the Rhythm Dance (when applicable).

Decides upon all deductions for the following violations: program time, Interruptions in performing the program, Interruption of the program with allowance to resume from the point of Interruption, music violations (synchronized skating), part of the costume/decoration falling on the ice, Dance Lifts exceeding permitted duration (ice dance only) and Tempo specifications (ice dance only).

Together with the panel of Judges, decides upon the deductions for the violation of the following requirements or restrictions: costume/prop, and in ice dance only, choreography and music restrictions. Those deductions are applied according to the opinion of the majority of the panel which includes all the Judges and the Referee. No deduction is made in the case of a 50/50 split vote.

Judges the complete Event for one's own information and for reporting purposes.

Suspends skating until the order is restored in case the public interrupts the competition or interferes with its orderly conduct.

Excludes competitors from the Event, if necessary.

Removes Judge(s) from the panel, if necessary, based on important and valid reasons.

Is in complete control of the ice surface and may order anyone to leave the ice who is there without permission.

Forbids any coach at any time during the course of the skating championships or competitions to be on any part of the ice surface of the rink on which the competitions are taking place.

Ensures that all rules applicable to the competition are observed. When a situation arises which is not covered by a specific rule, makes a ruling on the matter, based if possible, on the closest existing rule.

Decides any matter concerning breaches of Skate Canada rules and/or ISU Rules and Regulations.

Participates in the victory ceremony (when applicable).

Moderates the round table discussion (where applicable) together with the Technical Controller (with the purpose of feedback among the Judges in regard to the application and validity of current rules and discussions on the general quality of skating); the Referee provides input mainly regarding the Grade Of Execution of the elements and the Program Component score.

Authorizes the publication of the results of the Event. Results will not be released until authorized by the Referee and Technical Controller.

Prepares the report on the Event with the help of the Technical Controller (when applicable).

4.3. Duties Specific to the Assistant Referee Ice Level (Synchronized Skating)

Must follow general duties of all officials.

Permits the first and each additional team to enter the ice for their warm-up.

Monitors the ice conditions and reports problems to the Referee.

Directs a registered alternate to enter the ice for the expressed purpose of picking up objects on the ice considered to be hazardous to the skater.

Must not judge or take notes during the team performance. For safety reasons, the full attention of the ice-level assistant Referee must be on the team.

Assists the Referee of the Event as instructed by the Referee.

4.4. Duties Specific to the Assistant Referee (Ice Dance)

Must follow general duties of all officials.

Supports the Referee as directed during a brief meeting with the Judges prior to every Segment of an Event.

Monitors the timing of possible Interruptions and communicates appropriate deductions to the Referee.

Monitors the timing of all lifts in the Rhythm Dance and free dance to verify possible extended lifts and communicates appropriate deductions to the Referee.

Times the Pattern Dance Elements in the Rhythm Dance.

Advises and supports the Referee in deciding upon all deductions that come under the sole discretion of the Referee, e.g., time violations, Interruptions of the program, fresh start, lifts in excess of permitted time, etc.

Scans the ice surface at the end of each program and before the next team starts to ensure the ice is clear of objects/debris.

Must be a qualified Referee at the level being assigned.

May be called upon to fulfill a mentorship role to a newly qualified Referee or act as an assessor to an exam candidate while performing the duties of assistant Referee. Helps the Referee assess the judging panel and complete the  referee report if requested.

Assists the Referee of the Event as instructed by the Referee.

4.5. Duties Specific to the Judge (Juvenile Level Judge and Higher)

Must follow general duties of all officials.

Uses the whole range of Grades of Execution values and Program Component marks.

Marks independently and while judging may not converse with another Judge or indicate errors by action or sound.

Does not use previously prepared marks.

Makes adequate notes in order to provide explanations concerning marks given, if required.

May not write down the marks awarded by the other Judges during any part of a championship or competition.

Together with the Referee, decides upon the deductions for the violation of the following requirements or restrictions: costume/prop, and ice dance only, music and choreography restrictions. These deductions are applied according to the opinion of the majority of the panel which includes all the Judges and the Referee. No deduction is made in the case of a 50/50 split vote.

Attends the initial judges meeting and the meeting led by the Referee prior to every Segment of an Event (if applicable).

Attends the round table discussion moderated by the Referee (if applicable).

4.6. Duties Specific to the STAR 1-4 Event Assessor

Must follow general duties of all officials.

Identifies the element executed and the associated assessment level.

Identifies the assessment level for the Program Components.

Verifies well-balanced program criteria.

Records elements and assessments on official marking sheet (event assessor 2 and 3 only).

4.7. Duties Specific to the Technical Controller

Must follow general duties of all officials.

Authorizes or corrects the deletion of elements.

Supervises the Technical Specialist 1 and data input operator and proposes corrections, if necessary, respecting any performed element and Level Of Difficulty identified by the Technical Specialists.

Authorizes or corrects the identification of illegal elements/movements (singles, pairs, and ice dance) and illegal elements/Features/Additional Features/movements (synchronized skating).

Authorizes or corrects the identification of a Fall, which occurred in any part of the program, including introductory and concluding Steps/movements in pattern dance, as appropriate for level and discipline.

If both Technical Specialists disagree with a correction requested by the Technical Controller, the initial decision of the Technical Specialists stands.

In the case of a disagreement about an element and/or Level Of Difficulty between the two Technical Specialists, the decision of the Technical Controller prevails.

Verifies that the performed elements and Levels Of Difficulty identified are correctly input into the computerized scoring system (if being used) by the data input operator. The performed elements and Levels Of Difficulty may be finalized only upon formal confirmation by the Technical Controller that such verification has been completed.

Verifies that the program adheres to the well-balanced program criteria for the applicable level and discipline.

Records executed elements and Levels Of Difficulty awarded by the panel and makes adequate notes in order to provide explanations of decisions, if required.

Attends sufficient practice sessions of the competition to make necessary preparation (as applicable).

Leads a meeting of the technical panel prior to every Segment of an Event (if applicable).

If possible, assists the Referee in moderating the round table discussion (where applicable) (with the purpose of feedback among the Judges in regards to the application and validity of current rules and discussions on the general quality of skating); the Technical Controller provides input mainly regarding technical content.

Authorizes the publication of the results of the Event. Results will not be released until authorized by the Referee and Technical Controller.

Helps the Referee to prepare the report on the Event (when applicable).

4.8. Duties Specific to the Technical Specialist

Must follow general duties of all officials.

Identifies and calls the performed elements.

Identifies and calls correct Levels Of Difficulty of the performed elements (the Difficulty Groups Of Elements and the difficulty groups of Additional Features in synchronized skating).

Identifies and calls deductions in synchronized skating.

Identifies illegal elements/movements (singles, pair and dance) and illegal elements/Features/Additional Features/movements (synchronized skating).

Identifies a Fall which occurred in any part of the program, including introductory and concluding Steps/movements in pattern dance, where applicable to the level and discipline.

Identifies and deletes additional elements.

Attends sufficient practice sessions of the competition to make necessary preparation (as applicable).

Attends a meeting of the technical panel prior to every Segment of an Event (if applicable).

4.9. Duties Specific to the Data Specialist

For a full and complete listing of all duties of Data Specialists, refer to the Skate Canada Data Specialist Manual.

Must follow general duties of all officials.

Prepares the lists of officials and start orders for publication.

Verifies the correct calculation of results.

Prepares the online and/or print protocol of an event.

Prints official results for publication.

Conducts the draw(s) for an Event in conjunction with the Referee.

4.10. Duties Specific to the Computer Data Specialist

Tests the scoring system equipment to ensure proper function including the required headsets and video equipment.

Ensures that scoring system equipment and all required support supplies are onsite.

Installs scoring system equipment (when used) at rink side and in the Data Specialist's room.

Creates and manages the database for a competition within the approved Skate Canada competition scoring system software.

Operates the scoring system equipment during an Event and ensures proper data flow.

4.11. Duties Specific to the Chief Data Specialist

Acts as the official direct liaison between the data specialist team and the competition technical representative.

Contacts the technical representative of the Competition, early in the planning stage, to discuss matters of mutual concern pertaining to results calculation.

Ensures that necessary supporting volunteers, facilities, supplies, and forms are communicated to the organizing committee, confirms who will be responsible for providing these items, and obtains contact information for supporting volunteers.

Ensures that all Data Specialists are properly trained and are aware of the rules and the confidential nature of information being prepared.

Ensures that proper precautions are taken to ensure that Data Specialists with conflicts are appropriately assigned.

Ensures that draw data and other information prepared in the data control centre remains confidential pending public posting.

Ensures that adequate and proper forms are used and accurately prepared, and that procedures are adequate to accurately tabulate the officials’ marks into results, and have all phases verified.

Ensures that results are verified and released in accordance with the reporting procedures as outlined in the specific rules for competitions and championships.

Directs any questions to the technical representative regarding rule clarification or situations not covered by the rules.

Ensures that all results, data, and reports required by the Referees or Technical Controllers for their reports are prepared and made available to them promptly.

4.12. Duties Specific to the Evaluator

Must follow general duties of all officials.

Must be fully informed on the standards applicable to the assessment(s) being evaluated.

Must make remarks on assessment sheets to enable explanations of assessments should an explanation be requested by the candidate, parent, coach, or section official's chair.  Evaluators’ remarks on assessment sheets must be in longhand for the benefit of the candidates, parents, and coaches.  Evaluators’ comments must not be shared with anyone other than the candidate or that candidate's parents or coach without the permission of the candidate.

5. Trial Evaluating/Judging

The number of trial Evaluators/Judges is not restricted.

Trial Evaluators and Trial Judges are under the jurisdiction of the Evaluator, Referee, or assessor as applicable. They must follow explicitly the rules relating to duties of officials applicable to Evaluators/Judges found within these Officials rules.

Trial Evaluators and Trial Judges have no official standing with respect to assessments or competitions and should discuss their marking only with the Evaluator, Referee, or assessor assigned.

It is the responsibility of the trial Evaluators/Judges to maintain the records of their trial evaluating and trial judging and keep records of activity and reports on activities as required for promotion. Trial Judges/Evaluators are responsible for the maintenance of their own records until such time as they request promotion, at which time the records are forwarded to the section officials chair as part of the application for promotion.

6. National Honorary Officials

A retired Judge, Evaluator, Technical Controller, Technical Specialist or Data Specialist who has rendered long and valuable service to Skate Canada may be appointed by the Board of Directors to the position of honorary Judge, Evaluator, Technical Controller, Technical Specialist, or Data Specialist. Honorary Judges, Evaluators, Technical Controllers, Technical Specialists or Data Specialists are not eligible to officiate at competitions/assessment days. The Skate Canada Officials Assignment and Promotion Committee will consider suggestions from section officials committees or a Skate Canada committee and may make recommendations to the Board of Directors for such appointments.

7. Officials from Other Countries

A resident of another country may apply for initial appointment and promotion as a Skate Canada official at which time the applicant must become a Registrant or Member of Skate Canada.