Our competition circuit this year has been enhanced with the addition of a U.S. championship competition, the U.S. Invitational. Personally, I always felt it should be this way — it’s the way they do it overseas.

You see, to compete in the International Nail Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, (effectively making you the World Champion should you win) you must first be your country’s National Champion. What we had up until this year, was an entire nail competition circuit. What this used to mean for us was that if you wanted to compete in the International Nail Championships, you had to win the “whole shebang.” And many “whole shebang” winners either didn’t want to go (or weren’t able to go) to Germany. Now with this new competition, those of us who want to compete at the International Nail Championships only need to compete (and win) the U.S. Invitational.

(Editor’s note: To win a spot to compete in Dusseldorf in March 2011, you must compete at IBS Las Vegas on April 25, 2010. According to the competition organizer: “One first-place winner in Sculptured Acrylic Nails and one in Sculptured Gel Nails will be selected to represent the U.S. in Germany. You may not compete in both, which is why the events are run simultaneously. A $500 cash prize will be awarded to each first-place winner to help to cover travel expenses to Germany. The Invitational Competitions are open to U.S. citizens only; competitors must present proof of citizenship, such as a copy of your passport, at registration. Competitors must also be able to attend the International Nail Championships if selected as the first-place winner. If a first-place winner is unable to attend the International Nail Championship, the invitation and cash prize are forfeited to the second-place winner.”)

And it only makes sense to do it this way. But, if you’re waiting for your invitation to compete, you won’t get one — which technically makes this comp incorrectly named. Either way, they won’t be coming to look for you; you have to sign up to compete.

— Lynn