by Steven Arness | Mar 3, 2003 | Advocacy, Steven Arness
Email from USFSA.ORG
Dear Steven,
Thank you for your comments on figure skating clothing requirements. SSR 19.01 is based on ISU Rule 304, which states in part “…the clothing of the competitors must be modest, dignified and appropriate for athletic competition — not garish or theatrical in design. Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music chosen.” Rule 304 continues “Ladies must wear a skirt. The ladies’ dress must not give the effect of excessive nudity for an athletic sport. Men must wear full length trousers; no tights are permitted and the costume must not be sleeveless.”
Rule 304 reflects experience with competitors whose costumes brought more attention to themselves than did their skating. Rightly or wrongly, the ISU felt obligated to address the issue of costumes in their rulebook. I think you’ll find that most sports address uniform or clothing issues in their rulebooks. I believe that the NFL has fined players for wearing the wrong color socks.
As the National Governing Body for Figure Skating in the United States, our rules have to harmonize with those of our sport’s International Governing Body. To do otherwise would be a disservice to our skaters and officials, who would find themselves at a disadvantage when competing or judging overseas.
As Chair of the Rules Committee, it’s my job to clarify and interpret the rules. I cannot unilaterally change a rule. If you wish to see SSR 19.01 changed, I suggest that you contact the Chair of the Singles and Pairs Committee, Kristin Arneson Cutler. If she sees merit in your argument, she can ballot her committee to see if there is general support for such a change. If the committee approves, the revised rule can than be presented to the Board of Directors and the Governing Council for approval.
If I can be of any further assistance, please contact me.
by Steven Arness | Mar 3, 2003 | Advocacy, Steven Arness, Uncategorized
Email to USFSA.ORG
To whom it may concern,
At the rink where I skate at is a lady who has been skating for a number of years and is also taking private lessons to further her skills. And while I think she is pretty good, you will never see this lady at any tests. Nor will you see her competing at any competitions. Why you may ask? For the simple reason that for her to do any of this, she must abide by the rules of being forced to wear a skirt.
She claims the simple reason of modesty, and has tried various outfits to comply, but basically is barred from going further in the sport for the simple reason of not having the ability to wear trousers. Something which women have had the ability to do outside of skating and other sports for a great number of years. Ive been told that the skirt is supposed to be for modesty, tell me what would be more modest then for this lady to wear something she is comfortable and feels more dignified in? How many other skaters out there dont move onward due to this sexist rule?
I Started in an adult learn to skate session last year, I took eight weeks of class plus a couple other public sessions each week. My summer job restricted my ability to get practice time on the ice, but come fall I signed up again for more classes, (three more sessions so far) Im at the point now that I sought out a coach to help me in some of my problem areas. However I have been advised by the coach that I cannot wear leggings or tights, (much better then when I was wearing pants) which I have been wearing all my last sessions. This too is now in the dress code and I would like to know why after so many years of men being allowed to wear tights or leggings that this is no longer so.
Why is there such a discrimination in the attire that one is allowed to wear? Even I as a man am allowed to wear a warmup jacket and pants while being coached, yet the ladies are not. On the other hand the ladies can wear leggings and be coached, while I am denied and forced to wear pants. Since theres nothing in the rules about a man not being able to wear a skirt, how about if I wore a skirt over my trousers?
Why is a female skater allowed to express femininity with the showing of bare legs, arms, and attention to ones bosom, while a male skater is not allowed to show his arms, legs, or chest, why is a man forced to hide masculinity?
Figure skating is supposedly a form of ones artistic impression, both in moves in how one interprets the music, and in how one looks. But I find that while ones costume is supposed to represent ones interpretation and expression, does clothing really matter? Isnt it supposed to be in how someone completes the elements? And their artistic impression of what they are trying to portray? Clothing only plays a small part in the overall scheme of things, taking into account that one can only get a .1 point reduction for clothing not meeting the requirements. If clothing was such an issue, assuredly it would have its own set of marks or factor into the scoring system a great deal more.
When will the USFSA get away from being a bigoted and sexist sport?
Steven
