Definition: The figure skating competition season begins in the fall with regional ice skating competitions which usually take place in October. In the novice, junior, and senior level events, the top four single skaters that qualify at regionals move on to sectionals. Those who place in the top four at sectionals, qualify for the United States National Figure Skating Championships.
Ice dancers and pair skaters at the juvenile level and above, go directly to sectionals. From sectionals, juvenile and intermediate ice dancers and pair skaters will advance to the U.S. Junior National Figure Skating Championships.
Examples: The United States is divided into three sections:
- Pacific Coast section - Nickname: "Coast"
- Midwestern section - Nickname: "Mids" or "Midwesterns"
- Eastern section - Nickname: "Easterns"
