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October 28th - 30th, 2022
Chicago DanceSport Challenge

Rules and Policies

RULES
We will run this competition according to the current USA Dance DanceSport Rulebook. All competitors should refer to the rulebook prior to completing the entry form and competition. You may obtain a rulebook at USA Dance Rules, Policies and Bylaws.
 

ELIGIBILITY
Every adult competitor, with the exception of Newcomers, must be a currently registered DanceSport Athlete member of USA Dance or other member organization of the WDSF in good standing. Every preteen, junior, and youth competitor must be a registered Student Athlete member of USA Dance in good standing.

Newcomer Couples of which neither member has ever danced as an amateur couple in a ballroom competition are eligible to dance in Newcomer events (in which only the first 5 steps in a bronze syllabus are allowed). Competitors who qualify for Newcomer events may choose to dance in ONLY Newcomer events or in both Newcomer AND Bronze syllabus events. Competitors who register for only Newcomer events must be registered USA Dance members in good standing of any type (Social member, Ballroom Dancer, or Athlete). Competitors who sign up for Bronze events must be registered as Athlete members.

Both partners must be eligible for each event they enter and shall not compete in any classification below the minimum proficiency level for which they are eligible (see Rulebook, Rule 4.7.3.7). Competitors are responsible for verifying their proficiency points, so please check your accumulated proficiency points before registering.

RULES | ELIGIBILITY | AGE CLASSIFICATION | EVENT FORMAT | MISCELLANEOUS
 
AGE CLASSIFICATIONS
All age classifications are as of December 31, 2020:
Pre-teen I The elder partner is 9 years old or younger
Pre-teen II The elder partner is 10 or 11 years old
Junior I The elder partner is 12 or 13 years old
Junior II The elder partner is 14 or 15 years old
Youth The elder partner is 16 to 18 years old
Under 21 The elder partner is 16 to 20 years old
Adult The elder partner is 19 years old or older
Senior I
 
One partner must be 35 years old or older
Other partner must be at least 30
Senior II
 
One partner must be 45 years old or older
Other partner must be at least 40
Senior III
 
One partner must be 55 years old or older
Other partner must be at least 50
Senior IV
 
One partner must be 65 years old or older
Other partner must be at least 60
Senior V
 
One partner must be 75 years old or older
Other partner must be at least 70
Freestyle-Showdance/
Cabaret
Both partners must be 16 years old or older
 

Pre-Teen I, Pre-Teen II, Junior I, Junior II and Youth may dance their age division and one division higher.
Seniors may dance their age division and one division lower.

Per USA DanceSport rules, rest time will be allowed between rounds of any one event. In the interim, we will run other events, such as the same event for different age categories. Competitors that register for events in more than one age category should consider that the events would probably be run back-to-back.

EVENT FORMAT
Each event will consist of one, two, three, four, or five dances danced in succession without leaving the floor. The best-combined score for all dances will determine places in that event. Awards will be presented to the top six couples in each event. We may cancel/combine events with fewer than three [3] entries.

The competition is organized into Syllabus and Open events. Syllabus events are offered in the following proficiency levels: Newcomer (1st five steps of Bronze), Bronze, Silver and Gold. All closed syllabus events will be invigulated using the current USA Dance syllabus list of elements and restrictions. Penalties may be given without warning for any syllabus infractions.

Open events are offered in proficiency levels of Novice, Pre-Championship and Championship.

Competitors may enter up to two consecutive proficiency levels in each style or discipline with the same partner at the minimum level for which they are qualified and one higher (e.g., Newcomer and Bronze, Bronze and Silver, Silver and Gold, Gold and Novice, Novice and Pre-Champ, Pre-Champ and Champ.)

For more information on the events offered, please see the Events page!

Steps
No lifts are permitted in any division except Freestyle Showdance.

No props are allowed in any division.

In American Smooth and Rhythm Syllabus events, steps from any recognized published syllabus are acceptable, including NDCA, ISTD, North Am. Dance Society, Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire and Pan-Am. See USA Dance website for a sample syllabus. In Smooth Newcomer and Bronze events, competitors must use closed footwork; continuity styling will be penalized.

In International Standard and Latin Syllabus events, only ISTD figures are allowed.

All Syllabus Viennese Waltz, Mambo and Paso Doble event competitors are restricted to any syllabus level steps.

Dress/Costumes
Please refer to the current USA DanceSport Rulebook Edition for specific costume regulations. Dresses have to create the characteristic shape for each discipline and dresses and make-up have to respect the age and level of dancers. Costumes are recommended for Youth, Adult & Senior, Novice, Pre-Championship and Championship events.
MISCELLANEOUS
Cancellation Policy
Competitors and spectators cancelling by September 28th will receive a 75% refund; between September 29th and October 14th a 50% refund; before October 21th, 25% refund. Please allow thirty (30) days following the competition for us to process and mail any refunds.

Venue Regulations
The Hyatt is a non-smoking establishment. Do not bring alcoholic beverages into the ballroom. We have arranged commercial videotaping; however, you may bring your own video equipment. All video and still cameras must be battery operated; no tripods or lights are permitted.

The ballroom is cool; please dress warmly as no outer-wear jackets or coats and no large bags or backpacks are permitted in ballroom.

Disclaimers
All persons attend this event at their own risk and agree to hold harmless the organizers, USA Dance and the Hyatt Regency O'Hare from any injury sustained at the event. Each person is solely responsible for his/her own belongings; the organizers, USA Dance and the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago Hotel cannot be held liable for any loss or theft of articles left in changing rooms, ballroom, hotel rooms or other event facilities. All persons agree, unless they notify the organizers otherwise, that USA Dance may use any film, video, or photograph containing their images as well as their identifying names.

Need More Information
For competitor questions on events, entry forms, event changes, spectator tickets or to check the status of your registration, contact Kelly Batchelor, registrar, at 1-630-212-5127 or kbatchelor@burnsbatchelor.com. For competitor questions on entry rules, eligibility, age classification, etc, contact Kelly Batchelor at 1-630-212-5127 or kbatchelor@burnsbatchelor.com.