Figure Skating

[caseysmom]

I disagree with him, its not a jumping contest its 4 minutes.

[Catty1]

The point Stojko was making is that, unlike other Olympic athletes who do their utmost and give it all, the scoring system in figure skating no longer encourages skaters to do that. Stojko landed a few quads in his career...if technical difficulty counts for much less - or nothing - from now on, it's a bit of a slam to the pioneers. To quote from the previous article:

...kids now are going to see this and say, “Oh, I don’t need a quad. I can just do great footwork for presentation marks and do a couple of nice spins and make it to Olympic champion.” With that type of scoring, you don’t have to risk it. You can play it safe and win gold.

http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic..._145912Fz.html

Singles

In singles skating, skaters must complete both a short program (maximum 2 minutes 50 seconds) of required steps, jumps, spins and combinations, and a longer free skating program (4 minutes for ladies, 4 minutes 30 seconds for men), both set to music. The free skate — worth two-thirds of a skater’s final score — allows the athletes to demonstrate their creativity, innovative moves and technical difficulty.

More here:

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/figure-ska...wsid=3472.html

Judging

A panel of nine judges scores the programs but a random, secret draw by computer 45 minutes prior to the start of each segment of competition determines which seven of those judges' marks will form the result for that segment. The marks of all judges are still displayed and judges do not know if their marks are contributing to the score.

Scoring - ISU Judging System

The ISU Judging System (also known as Code of Points) was introduced in response to the judging scandal in the pairs event at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. Replacing the 6.0 scoring system, it was tested on the ISU Grand Prix in 2003-04 before being implemented in all ISU competitions in 2004-05. It was first used at the Olympic Winter Games in 2006.

Under the 6.0 system, judges scored the skaters in relation to each other. The marks were a reflection of the overall impression of a program. Under the ISU Judging System, each individual element is assigned a value. Skaters try to accrue as many points as possible while staying within the boundaries of the required elements.

There are two sets of marks: the Technical Elements Score (TES) and the Program Components Score (PCS). The TES is based on the difficulty of the elements in a program and the quality with which those elements are performed. The PCS grades the overall presentation and performance. The TES and the PCS are added together to determine the Total Segment Score (TSS) for each skater/couple in each program. The final results are determined by adding together the TSS from each program for each skater/couple.

• Technical Elements Score (TES)

The Technical Specialist identifies the elements performed and their Levels of Difficulty (where applicable). All elements are assigned a base value in the Scale of Values (SOV). Base values for jumps and throw jumps are based on the type of jump and the number of rotations. A triple Axel (8.2) is worth more points than the less difficult double Axel (3.5). A triple Lutz (6.0) is worth more than the less difficult triple Salchow (4.5). Non-jump elements such as spins, step sequences, lifts, death spirals and twizzles are assigned values based on the Level of Difficulty, which can range from Level 1 (the easiest) to Level 4 (the most difficult). The technical specialist will give the element a level based on the number of features it includes. A spin can be made more difficult by changing edge or position, showing a difficult variation of a position or entering the spin in a difficult way. The amount of variety in the steps and turns in step sequences will affect the Level.

Once an element is identified, the members of the judging panel score the quality of execution of each element, using seven Grades of Execution (GOE) ranging from -3 to +3. The GOE either adds to or deducts from the base value of the element. Each grade corresponds to a specific + or - numerical value which is indicated in the SOV. In determining the GOE, judges consider the quality of positions, speed, flow, entrances and exits of the elements. Judges first evaluate the positive features of an element and then reduce the score if there are any errors committed. The negative GOE to be applied is specified by the type of error on the element.

The judging panel's GOE for each element is determined by calculating the trimmed means of the grades of execution awarded by the judges chosen by the random draw. The highest and lowest values of the seven scoring judges are deleted and an average is made of the remaining values. This average becomes the final GOE for each element. The panel's GOE is rounded to two decimal places. The graded scores for all the individual elements are added together to determine the TES for the program.

[caseysmom]

Evan had also done quad's in his career but chose not to since he had a previous foot injury, I still disagree with that one opinion.