SCHEVENINGEN, Netherlands — Here's a look at the figure-skating judging system adopted by the International Skating Union Congress. It will be used for all ISU international competitions starting with the 2004-05 season.
OVERALL SCORING
Ten judges sit on a panel, with only seven having their marks count in a random selection. Then the high and low marks for each skater would be discarded, and the other five would formulate a skater's scores.
A total score is based on the addition of points of two segments:
1. Technical score comprised of points gained on jumps, spins and stepwork.
2. Program component score comprised of points gained by skating skills, transition, performance and execution, choreography and interpretation.
TECHNICAL
The technical score adds the number of different elements, but there is a limit to how many 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.
Each element has a base point value based on level of difficulty. A grade of execution — how well the element is performed — will be added or subtracted from the base value.
A technical specialist identifies the elements and each judge gives one of the grades of execution.
For 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 excellent or poorly.
A sit spin, level 3 difficulty, is worth 2.4 points with an execution scale ranging from + 1.5 to -1.
PROGRAM COMPONENT SCORES
The five 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.