The International Skating Union has officially adopted a new figure skating judging system, scheduled for implementation from the beginning of the 2004/05 season.
The International Skating Union has officially adopted a new figure skating judging system, scheduled for implementation from the beginning of the 2004/05 season. The new system has been developed in the wake of the judging controversy that marred the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympic figure skating competition.
While the previous system judged skaters’ performances against each other, the new system awards points for each element of a skater’s routine, based on degree of difficulty and level of performance.
In addition, the judging panel has been overhauled, with a computer randomly selecting nine judges from the panel of 12 judging, then the highest and lowest scores of that nine being discarded, leaving seven judges’ scores to produce the final result.
A total score is based on the addition of points of two segments:
1. A technical score comprised of points gained on jumps, spins and stepwork.
Each element of is assigned a base value relating to its degree of difficulty, with judges evaluating the performance on each element within a range of plus 3 to minus 3. There is a limit to how many elements can be done. For singles, there can be eight jump elements for men (seven for women), four spins and two step sequences. Up to three of the jump elements can be combinations.
As an example, a triple Axel jump is worth a base value of 7.5 points with an execution scale of +3 down to -3 depending on whether the jump is performed excellently or poorly.
A sit spin, level 3 difficulty, is worth 2.4 points with an execution scale ranging from +1.5 to -1.
2. Program component score comprised of points gained on five components - skating skills, transition, performance and execution, choreography and interpretation.
The program component scores range from 0.25 to 10.0 and range from very poor to outstanding. It evaluates overall skating quality, difficulty and quality of steps linking the elements, style and originality.
There will be bonus points given for jumps in the second half of the program as well as innovative moves.
Judges would be allowed to review elements with a video replay system.
While the previous system judged skaters’ performances against each other, the new system awards points for each element of a skater’s routine, based on degree of difficulty and level of performance.
In addition, the judging panel has been overhauled, with a computer randomly selecting nine judges from the panel of 12 judging, then the highest and lowest scores of that nine being discarded, leaving seven judges’ scores to produce the final result.
A total score is based on the addition of points of two segments:
1. A technical score comprised of points gained on jumps, spins and stepwork.
Each element of is assigned a base value relating to its degree of difficulty, with judges evaluating the performance on each element within a range of plus 3 to minus 3. There is a limit to how many elements can be done. For singles, there can be eight jump elements for men (seven for women), four spins and two step sequences. Up to three of the jump elements can be combinations.
As an example, a triple Axel jump is worth a base value of 7.5 points with an execution scale of +3 down to -3 depending on whether the jump is performed excellently or poorly.
A sit spin, level 3 difficulty, is worth 2.4 points with an execution scale ranging from +1.5 to -1.
2. Program component score comprised of points gained on five components - skating skills, transition, performance and execution, choreography and interpretation.
The program component scores range from 0.25 to 10.0 and range from very poor to outstanding. It evaluates overall skating quality, difficulty and quality of steps linking the elements, style and originality.
There will be bonus points given for jumps in the second half of the program as well as innovative moves.
Judges would be allowed to review elements with a video replay system.
