Law 6: Synchronized competitions

The Synchronized Skating Technical Committee announces the lists in an ISU Communication by June 1st; they take effect on July 1st.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 844.2 · recall

Seniors and juniors skate a Short Program and a Free Skating; novices, basic and advanced, skate only a Free Skating.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 844.1 · recall

Teams may use their own names if these do not conflict with ISU sponsors; when the ISU finds one inappropriate, the ISU Member must file a name change.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 845 · recall

An organiser may hold both segments on one day, except at ISU Championships, if at least four hours pass after the end of the Short Program.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 847.2 · recall

At the official practices for the Short Program and the Free Skating the team's music is played twice, each time without interruption, and no other music is played.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 847.4 · recall

The five ISU Members placed highest at the previous ISU Synchronized Skating Championships may enter two teams.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 849.1 · recall

Every other team needs the season's Minimum Combined Total Element Scores, Short Program and Free Skating added; the host's team is entered without them.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 849.2 · recall

Novices get at least 10 minutes any time before the Free Skating; between the segments juniors get at least 11 and seniors at least 12.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 847.4 · applied

The lists are announced by June 1st and take effect on July 1st; the requirements then apply at all ISU events until June 30th.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 844.2-3 · applied

The Short Program ends at 12; only C, at half past four, leaves the four hours the rules ask for. A, B and D come too soon.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 847.2 · applied

A skater draws the ISU Member who starts, and the order follows the Members alphabetically from there; Championships and the Olympics draw by World Standings.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 850.1 · recall

Each team has a warm-up of at least one minute, without music, while the previous team's marks are being judged.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 852.1 · recall

A team must not take more than 30 seconds to exit the ice, in the Short Program and the Free Skating alike.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 852.1 · recall

The ice is resurfaced after every six teams in the Short Program and every five in the Free Skating, unless the ISU changes the groups at a Championship.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 852.4 · recall

Teams are announced with their own name in a set way: the ISU Member first, followed by the team's name.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 853.3 · recall

The Short Program may last 2 minutes 50 seconds, or less; going over brings a deduction for each started 5 seconds.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 854.1 · recall

Any element started after 2 minutes 50 seconds is considered omitted; in the Free Skating, elements started after the time plus 10 seconds have no value.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 854.1 · recall

The Free Skating lasts 3 minutes for novices, 3 minutes 30 seconds for juniors and 4 minutes for seniors, each with ten seconds either way.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 854.2 · applied

The next team enters at the sign of the RAI and warms up; it is then announced and must be in its starting position within 30 seconds.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 853.2-4 · applied

A junior team may finish ten seconds either side of 3:30. B ends at 3:38; A at 3:15 and D at 3:05 are too short, C at 3:45 too long.

Source: ISU SR SYS 2026, Rule 854.2 · applied