Is there a Minimum Time Limit for Adults?

[sk8tergirl]

Hi everybody!    Just wondering....For adults, is there a penalty for skating under the maximum time for your event? For example, if you were skating Gold Level and the music you liked was only 2:25,  but the max time is 2:40 would you be penalized/disqualified for skating under time? 

[Clarice]

I'm assuming you're talking about the US?  You want Rule 4051, which says that adult events may not exceed the maximum time allowed, but may be less provided the technical elements are included.  For free skates Preliminary and higher, programs must be within 10 seconds +/- of the required time.  Most people try to be pretty close to the maximum available time, though, because they can fit more into the program that way.  You could try either cutting another piece of music together with the one you like, or look for a section of the music that could be repeated.  It is also sometimes possible to slow the music down slightly and stretch it that way. That likely wouldn't work for your example, though - if you stretched the music another 15 seconds longer it would probably be too slow to sound good.

[amy1984]

It is also sometimes possible to slow the music down slightly and stretch it that way.

You also want to make sure you have good quality software to do this.  Otherwise it'll sound like poop.  Even with good software, anything other than a slight change can sound laggy and choppy.  Think of watching a video stream on the internet and it doesn't look 'smooth' because the streaming is bad or slow or whatever.  That's what stretched music can sound like. 

If you have something you like and it's short, you can look for something complimentary to add (I look at the rest of the soundtrack/CD/whatever), or even a different version of the same piece.

[sk8tergirl]

I thought it was different for the adult events (no minimum), especially at the higher levels due to decreased cardio for some adults, but I wasn't sure. (I couldn't find Rule 4051.) Thanks, Clarice. 

Thanks, Amy. Yes, I like the idea of finding a piece of music to add, (like a short intro). I will look into this....

[amy1984]

I think you're right.  For testing, the min/max applies, but in competitions, I've only ever worried about going over but of course I can't find the rules now.

[techskater]

For the adult tests or competitions, NO minimum