Figure skating sectional events are going on this week. Let's learn a bit about what exactly sectional figure skating competitions are about:

The United States is divided into three sections:

• Pacific Coast section - Nickname: "Coast"
• Midwestern section - Nickname: "Mids"
• Eastern section - Nickname: "Easterns"

Each section is divided into three regions:

Figure skaters that compete at a sectional event have qualified by placing in the top four at a previous regional event. Those who place in the top four at a sectional qualify to compete at the United States National Figure Skating Championships that will take place in January. The U.S. National Figure Skating Championships is nicknamed "Nationals."

Now....to confuse things:

Juvenile and Intermediate level ice dancers and pair skaters have a choice during this competition season. They can compete at sectionals or choose to go directly to Junior Nationals which will take place shortly after Thanksgiving....but the Junior level events are not part of Junior Nationals....

Further Reading:

• What is the Figure Skating Competition Season?

_{Sectional Competitor Danielle Kahle - Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images}