What age for first FFSG medal?

Préliminaire is typically passed between ages 5 and 7, after a few months of practice. No official minimum age.

What medal is needed to compete as Minime?

Minime category usually requires Vermeil or Or level, validated by the club and the regional league.

Are FFSG and ISU the same?

No. FFSG is the French federation organizing national competitions. ISU is the international federation defining rules for ISU competitions (Worlds, Grand Prix). FFSG and ISU levels are aligned but distinct.

French FFSG figure skating levels: from Preliminary to Senior

France's FFSG organizes skater progression through successive medal levels. Each level validates specific technical achievements. Here is the complete grid.

FFSG progression overview

FFSG separates medal levels (entry-level and local progression) from national competition categories. A skater first passes medals, then enters national age categories (Avenir, Espoir, Minime, Benjamin, Novice, Junior, Senior).

FFSG medals

Each medal validates specific technical elements:

Préliminaire: basic positions, forward/backward gliding
Préparatoire: edges, first turns, first upright spin
Pré-Bronze: crossovers, single jumps (Salchow, Toe Loop), sit spin
Bronze: jump combinations, double Salchow
Argent: confirmed doubles, level 1 step sequences
Vermeil: first triples, combined spins
Or: confirmed triples, complex spins
Grande Or: full triple palette, stable double Axel
Platine: quadruples or triple Axel, long programs mastered

National competition categories

Once medals are passed, skaters compete in age-based categories:

Avenir & Poussin: 8-9, introduction to competition
Benjamin: 10-11, short program in free
Minime: 12-13, first triples often expected
Novice: 14-15, format close to ISU senior
Junior: 13-19 per ISU, dual program
Senior: 15+ (16+ for ISU senior), all elements allowed