Rule Change - Swimsuit Round

Effective this year, the swimsuit round for figure, fitness and bikini divisions will be 2-piece only. The one-pice round has been eliminated.

2009 RULE CHANGES AND BIKINI DIVISION GUIDELINES

December 1, 2008
TO                   :           District Chairpersons
FROM             :           Jim Manion
SUBJECT       :           2009 RULE CHANGES AND BIKINI DIVISION GUIDELINES
At our November 20, 2008 meeting in Atlanta, Georgia the following rules/changes were mandated:

• A new division – NPC Bikini – was implemented. (See attached guidelines and rules)


• New Rules for National Contests:
  
  
  
  • An athlete may qualify in any division – bodybuilding, fitness, figure and in 2009 bikini however when they enter a national contest they must select one division as a competitor. IF they qualify in more than one division they must select only one division – no crossovers
  
  
  • For all other contests, crossovers are permitted at the discretion of the promoter with the District Chairpersons approval.
  
  
  • If a competitor qualifies as a Masters competition, they are limited to compete in the masters divisions only.
  
  
  
  


• Beginning in 2008, eligibility is reduced to one year for National contests with the exception of the Nationals and USA Championships that have two (2) years of eligibility. Eligibility for athletes that qualified in 2007 will be grandfathered under the previous eligibility.


• The overall second place in women’s bodybuilding at the USA Championships will receive her pro card – the same as the men at this contest.


• Fitness is reduced to two (2) rounds. Each round is scored at 50% of the final score
  
  
  
  • Two piece suit and,
  
  
  • routine round
  
  
  
  


• Figure is reduced to one (1) round - Two piece suit



• Sanction fee increases for 2009 (bodybuilding):
             Non Qualifier:                                     Qualifier:
           
  Men’s Only                 $400.00           Men’s Only                 $500.00
           
  Women’s Only            $400.00           Women’s Only            $500.00
           
  Men’s & Women’s      $500.00           Men’s & Women’s      $850.00
  
             The sanction fee for fitness or figure is $375.00 – unless a promoter is holding an NPC Fitness or Figure contest only – the fee will be $450.00.  Bikini for 2009 will not have a sanction fee and must be promoted with a men’s or women’s bodybuilding or a fitness or figure contest.
  
  The NPC registration fee for 2009 is $85.00

NPC BIKINI DIVISION

NPC MEMBERSHIP
• Each competitor must be a member of the NPC.

SANCTIONING A BIKINI DIVISION EVENT
• An NPC BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS must be run along with another NPC division i.e. Bodybuilding, fitness or figure contest.

CONTEST ENTRIES

• All height classes and awards must be awarded as advertised on the entry form.


• Height classes may not be combined on the day of the show and this cannot be advertised as a possibility

AWARDS
• Cash awards are not permitted.

CHECK-INS
• BIKINI Division competitors will be checked in and measured the same as Fitness and Figure competitors.

HEIGHT CLASSES – For Pro qualifying event

• Up to and including 5’1”


• Over 5’1” and up to and including 5’2-1/2”


• Over 5’2-1/2” and up to and including 5’4”


• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’5-1/2


• Over 5’5-1/2” and up to and including 5’7”


• Over 5’7”

If promoter chooses to do fewer height classes:
For all contests with two (2) classes:

• Up to and including 5’4”


• Over 5’4”

For all contests with three (3) classes:

• Up to and including 5’4”


• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”


• Over 5’6”

For all contests with four (4) classes:

• Up to and including 5’2”


• Over 5’2” and up to and including 5’4”


• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”


• Over 5’6”

COMPETITOR RULES

• National level contests do not permit competitors to crossover into Bodybuilding, Fitness or Figure at the same event. All other competitions are permitted to have crossovers at the discretion of the promoter with district chairperson approval.
  
• Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. No thongs are permitted. Competitors can compete in an off the rack suit. All swimsuits must be in good taste.


• Competitors must wear high heels.


• Competitors may wear jewelry.

COMPETITION JUDGING
Presentation

• Competitors will walk onstage alone and perform their Model Walk (personal preference)


• The Model Walk consists of the following:
  Walk to the center of the stage, stop and do a front stance then a full turn and do a rear stance then turn to the front again in front of the judges and then proceed to the side of the stage.

Comparison Round, Two-Piece Swimsuit

• Competitors will be judged wearing a two-piece swimsuit and heels.


• The competitors will be brought out in a group and directed to do a full front and rear stance.


• Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in half turns. (No side judging permitted, front and back only.)


• Judges will be scoring competitors on the following items:
  
  
  
  • Balance and Shape
  
  
  • Overall physical appearance including complexion, skin tone, poise and overall presentation.
  
  
  
  

QUALIFYING FOR NATIONAL LEVEL EVENTS

• The following placings will qualify competitors for one year for the NPC National Level Bikini contests:
              Top 5 places in each class at National Qualifying events only.


• The NPC national level contests are listed below:


• JUNIOR USA BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIP


• JUNIOR NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS


• USA BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS


• TEAM UNIVERSE BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS


• IFBB NORTH AMERICAN BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS


• NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS

QUALIFYING FOR IFBB PRO STATUS

• The following placings at selected national level events will qualify competitors to turn professional and compete in the IFBB Pro Bikini Contests.


• USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card (6 height classes)


• NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card (6 height classes)


• JUNIOR USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – top 2 in the Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards – (6 height classes)


• JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS  - top four (4) in the Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards (6 height classes)


• IFBB NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS -  Top two (2) in Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards (6 height classes)


• TEAM UNIVERSE CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top two (2) in each height class earn their IFBB pro Card (6 height classes)

CHANGES FOR NPC FITNESS & FIGURE BEGINNING IN 2008

NPC Junior USA Championships:

NPC Junior USA Fitness Championships - Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card (3
Height Classes)
NPC Junior USA Figure Championships - Top 2 in the Overall Comparison Earn
IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

NPC Junior National Championships:

NPC Junior National Fitness Championships - Height Class Winners Earn IFBB
Pro cards (3 Height Classes)
NPC Junior National Figure Championships - Top 4 in the Overall Comparison
Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

NPC Masters National Figure Championships:

Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card

NPC USA Championships:

NPC USA Figure Championships - Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (6
Height Classes)

IFBB North American Championships:

IFBB North American Open Figure Championships - Top 2 in the Overall
Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

IFBB North American Masters Figure Championships - Overall Winner Earns IFBB
Pro card

NPC Team Universe Championships & National Fitness Championships:

NPC Team Universe Figure Championships - Top 2 in Each Height Class Earn
IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

NPC National Fitness Championships - Top 2 in Each Height Class Earn IFBB
Pro cards (3 Height Classes)

NPC National Championships:

NPC National Figure Championships - Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards
(6 Height Classes)

NEW HEIGHT CLASSES FOR WOMEN’S FIGURE NATIONALS AND CONTESTS WITH SIX HEIGHT
CLASSES:

Up to 5’1”
Over 5’1” and up to and including 5’2-1/2”
Over 5’2-1/2” and up to and including 5’4”
Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’5-1/2”
Over 5’5-1/2” and up to and including 5’7”
Over 5’7”

All other classes remain the same:

For all contests with two (2) classes:

Up to and including 5’4”
Over 5’4”

For all contests with three (3) classes:

Up to and including 5’4”
Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
Over 5’6”

For all contests with four (4) classes:

Up to and including 5’2”
Over 5’2” and up to and including 5’4”
Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
Over 5’6”

For all national qualifying figure events – the top five (5) are eligible for the JUNIOR USA, TEEN COLLEGIATE MASTERS NATIONALS and TEAM UNIVERSE FIGURE CHAMPIONSHIPS and the top three (3) are eligible for the JUNIOR
NATIONALS, USA and NATIONAL FIGURE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Eligibility is good for two (2) years. Promoters can elect number of classes for their figure contests. ONLY THOSE FIGURE CONTESTS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NATIONAL QUALIFYING
BODYBUILDING CONTEST WILL BE NATIONAL QUALIFIERS.

The Front Split will no longer be a mandatory move in the fitness routines.




--
Lee Thompson
TLT, Inc. / CEMS
281.778.5279 (Direct)
832.201.9786 (Fax)

March 17 Update

Greetings All,

The start of NPC Texas 2007 Season is just around the corner starting with the West Texas Classic in Lubbock. Gustavo Badell and Ms. Olympia Iris Kyle will be but a few bodybuilding personalities in the house on March 31st. There are still rooms available at the contest hotel. Be sure to mention the West Texas Classic to ensure that you receive the contest rate.

Immediately following the West Texas Classic is the Ronnie Coleman Classic. Brian Dobson tells me that he has had more interest this year than any other year, so this contest is sure to be a true "classic."

I have received a few telephone calls and emails regarding posing music. As a point of clarification, "no vulgarity or profanity," simply means no vulgarity or profanity. Our contest are intended to provide entertainment for the entire family.

I have received additional questions regarding the 60 second routine. This routine will be performed by both male and female bodybuilders to "house" music only. The intent is for the competitor to move through the mandatory muscularity poses in any order he or she chooses. The competitor does not have to use the entire 60 seconds, nor will points be deducted for not demonstrating all the poses, however points will not be gained by not hitting all the mandatory poses. So begin posing now and memorize an order in which you will hit the following:

Front Double Bicep
Front Lat Spread
Side Chest
Side Tricep
Rear Double Bicep
Rear Lat Spread
Over head abdominal and thigh
Most Muscular (men) Favorite Pose (ladies)

Again, you have up to 60 seconds to hit these poses. The head judge will give you a 10 second warning before time runs out.

I would also like to express my sincere condolences to Francy and Heather Hassenflu. Eric, a beloved husband and father passed this week at his home in Boerne. He was a great amateur bodybuilder and friend to many in the NPC community. He will be greatly missed. God speed my friend....


Train hard and demonstrate sportsmanship always,

Lee Thompson
N.P.C . Texas District Chairman/IFBB Judge

2007 NPC Texas Rule Changes

2007 Changes ------ Important Please Read -------

1. All weigh-ins will begin promptly at 7 pm unless otherwise specified on the contest entry form.

2. Pre-judging will begin at 8 am.

3. 60 second routine returns to morning round (bodybuilding only). Competitors will have 60 seconds demonstrate the 8 mandatory poses. Promoters will provide house music for the routine. Contest with 0-5 competitors in a class, competitors will pose individually. Contest with 5–10 competitors in a class, competitors will pose 2 at a time. Contest with 10-15 competitors in a class, competitors will pose 3 at a time and more than 15 competitors in a class, competitors will pose 4 at a time. The finals presentation round will remain the same with novice competitors posing for 60 seconds and open class competitors posing to 90 seconds of their individually provided music. Contest having more than 50 competitors total, only the top 5 in each class will pose.

4. Please obtain your 2007 NPC Card early. The card is good from January to January this will prevent panic on your part as your contest of choice approaches.

I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your support this past year. I also want to thank the hundreds of you whom took time to write me. Your warm wishes and complements made doing my job all the more special. It is truly an honor to serve each of you. I look forward to the coming 2007 season. Until then...

Train hard and demonstrate sportsmanship always,

Lee Thompson
N.P.C . Texas District Chairman/IFBB Judge