Olympic Figure Skating: The Points Have It

It has different names. The Code of Points, The International Judging System, The International Skating Union Judging System, and more simply, The New Judging System. Choose you favorite. Either way, this isn't your father's competition. Fans looking for a very basic run-down of what the judges are looking for in the singles competitions, try this small sketch.

The International Judging System is a system that is based more on accumulated point values than subjective opinions. These judges are carefully examining a lot of criteria, but since the jumps seem to be the most identifiable issue, let's look at that. Take the controversy in the men's Olympic free skate.

Plushenko's jumps were not as solid as Lysacek's, no matter the degree of difficulty of the jumps executed. How does this break down? Let's work with a triple axel. The value for a triple axel is 8.2. Judges usually mark up or down to a value of 3 points, so an exceptional jump can earn a 11.2, while one that bobbles and shows a lack of control can lose points, decreasing its value. If Plushenko landed a clean quadruple (9 points) and earned full points for that jump, sloppiness and minor mistakes on the other jumps would systematically bump him back down. Make sense? Whereas if Lysacek skated smart and landed all of the difficult jumps (with the exception of attempting a quad, which is not a required maneuver) he systematically built his score up. Since the difference between a triple axel and a quad is only .7, it is easy to see how ground may be lost with a lack of control on the other elements. So performing the quad really just gets the skater an additional .7 points, which can easily be lost. Plushenko's rough landing on his triple axel cost him nearly .4 points.

That's just the jumps. There are so many other elements being considered as well. "Skating Skills", which is defined as "overall skating quality and edge control, flow, and variety of technique" can be broken down into these elements: deep and secure edges, mastery of one-foot skating, flow and glide, knee action, precision of foot placement, difficulty of transitions, emotional and physical involvement when interpreting the music and choreography, carriage, clarity of movement, style, ice coverage, and the ability to reflect the subtleties of the music. And it can go even further.

Then you've got the spins on top of all that. Judges are looking for clean entrances and exits, a change of edge during the spin, changes of positions, centering on the ice, transitions, speed of rotation and the ability to maintain it, edge control, and clarity of line. It all comes into play.

So there is more to it than landing a jump. But here is an interesting fact. According to former Olympic skater Michael Weiss, if we were operating under the 6.0 system, Plushenko would have secured the gold. The competition was that close, with just over one point separating these men. It is obvious that one has to do his homework to be competitive, and adjust his routine to benefit from the extra points that are stacked all over the ice. There is strategy involved, just like with any other sport. Pros and cons are heavily weighed as every aspect of the routine is taken into sharp consideration.

So what does this mean for the upcoming women's event? Americans Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu will be making their Olympic debut with very entertaining, intelligent programs and a youthful spark. Yu-Na Kim from South Korea is the overwhelming favorite to win, but Mao Asada from Japan has a triple axel/double toe combination under her belt. If she succeeds, her points value will be high. Yet it was proven in the men's event that striking below the belt is a very real possibility. Asada will have to pull out the stops on all of her elements and decide if focusing on a triple axel/double toe is worth the risk. A clean triple/triple combination can still beat it if she falters on the landing. And don't forget the other elements that can hack away at the score, like chipping ice from the surface of the arena.

There is one more contender for the gold. I would like to take a moment to send condolences to the Canadian champion and gold medal favorite Joannie Rochette, for the sudden loss of her mother at these games. We've got your back.