FIGURE SKATING : Kuchiki, 13, May Be Allowed to Compete in World Finals

It appears that the International Skating Union will grant a waiver allowing the U.S. pairs team of Natasha Kuchiki and Todd Sand to compete in the figure skating World Championships next month, even though Kuchiki is only 13.

According to ISU rules, skaters must be 14 to compete in the World Championships. But Olaf Poulsen, president of the ISU, told the U.S. Figure Skating Assn. Tuesday that he favors making an exception for Kuchiki, who is from Canoga Park, and believes the ISU Council will approve. Poulsen said the ISU previously granted the waiver for another pairs skater.

“We’re waiting for confirmation, but we’re going on the assumption that they will compete,” said Dr. Franklin Nelson, USFSA president.

Kuchiki and the 26-year-old Sand, who is from Thousand Oaks, earned a berth on the U.S. team by finishing second at last week’s national championships.

“The competition was over Friday, but because we didn’t know where we stood, it felt like it was still going on,” said Kuchiki’s mother, Denise. “It was exhausting, but we’re real excited.”

Because Kuchiki will not be 14 until October, she also is ineligible for the 1991 World Championships. But Nelson said the USFSA probably will attempt to change the rule later this year.

“The fact that the ISU has waived the rule twice now should carry some weight,” he said.