Officials

Cumulative Points Calculation (CPC) Judging System

The International Skating Union (ISU) has created a new judging system for figure skating that is now in full force at ISU events. The first country to develop a similar system to the ISU new judging system, Skate Canada’s Cumulative Points Calculation (CPC) judging system provides a quantitative measure of performance by which all athletes at all levels can gauge their performance. It is an athlete empowering system that is accurate and consistent with Skate Canada and ISU rules. The CPC system allows Skate Canada to support all the levels of skating that occur domestically.

The CPC is based on cumulative points rather than the 6.0 standard of marks and placement. Points are awarded for a technical score combined with points awarded for five additional program components — skating skills, transitions, performance/execution, choreography/composition and interpretation. The exception to this is ice dancing, which also uses “timing” as an additional component.

Technical Panel:

Technical Specialist (TS): The TS is one of the key positions on this panel, responsible for identifying the executed elements and the Level of such elements if applicable. The work of the TS allows the Judges to concentrate on marking the quality of each element in the skater’s program. All TS are former competitive athletes or coaches and are involved in skating on a weekly basis.

Technical Controller (TC) and Assistant Technical Specialist (ATS): The TC and ATS support the TS to ensure that any potential mistakes are identified and corrected. The final call of the technical panel is the consensus decision of the three members of the panel. The TC can ask for a review of any call made by the TS if the TC believes the element or level was misidentified. Each of these individuals is monitored during the competition.

Data Input Operator (DIO): Also on the panel is a DIO resource person that inputs the called elements and its Levels of Difficulty into the computer. If needed, they also correct elements or Levels as instructed by the TC. The DIO has the ability to operate the video replay function of the system when needed to review elements in multiple motions to ensure that the correct assessment of the element was made.

Overlooking the entire ice surface, the DIO usually sits between the TC on the right and TS as well as the ATS on the left. For communication purposes, all four positions on this panel are linked together through a headset.

Judge:

Judges officiate at all levels of competitions, and also assess competitive tests. Potential judges must be at least 16 years old and are required to attend clinics and seminars, trial judge and take exams as they work their way up through the system. As their knowledge and experience increases, they qualify to judge higher levels of competition.

Within the Canadian system, candidates can qualify to become an international judge. To judge at World or Olympic competition judges must be appointed by the International Skating Union (ISU). Each country has a maximum quota of the number of judges that can be qualified at the international and ISU levels. Skate Canada forwards nominations to the ISU and candidates must attend ISU seminars, pass exams and meet experience requirements. Candidates must be between the ages of 24 and 45 when they are first nominated and retirement is mandatory at age 70.

In addition to their related judging duties, Canadian judges are available to both clubs and coaches to assist them in assessing the progress of individual skaters and in interpreting and meeting the many ISU and Skate Canada technical rules.

Evaluator:

Evaluators assess skaters at test days which are arranged periodically by Skate Canada member clubs, so that their skaters can be assessed and move on to the next level or test. Evaluators are responsible for assessing the following tests:

Preliminary to Gold Freeskate Tests
Preliminary to Gold Dance Tests
Skating Skills Preliminary to Gold
Dance Variation/Bronze Rhythm/Silver and Gold Interpretive Dance Tests
Diamond Dance Tests
Bronze to Gold Artistic Tests

At a test session, the evaluator coordinates and evaluates the tests to which they have been assigned. During the tests, the evaluator acts as the assessor and referee controlling the on-ice activities. When training to be an evaluator, candidates will be taught how to manage test days where the importance of making decisions in the best interests of the skater is emphasized.

Once a skater's test is completed and the test summary sheet has been signed and given to the skater, coach and parent, the skater can go to the evaluator for clarification on any points or with any questions they have. Although evaluators are usually very busy on test days, it is important to talk to them if there are any questions. If approached, evaluators will be happy to discuss any questions a coach, skater or parent has. Communication is encouraged, as this is the only way to ensure that everyone is receiving the same information.

Referees

Referees advance through a similar series of levels as judges and must take the required examinations and have the required experience to advance.

The Role of the Referee

The referee oversees the ice conditions, ensures that all rules applicable to the test or competition are followed and acts as chairman of the judges' panel and arbiter in policy or procedure disputes. During an event the referee also trouble shoots, for example, if a skater's lace comes undone, the referee will take appropriate action. At smaller events, the referee will typically act as both referee and one of the judges.

The Referees is also responsible for writing reports on the judges assessing their performance at a specific event. At qualifying events, referee reports are usually completed for all judges. The reports are reviewed order to promote officials.

The referee also conducts review meetings for the judges at the conclusion of a Canadian Championship. At these meetings, judges discuss such things as placements, deductions taken, and marks awarded.

Data Specialists

Data Specialists are the individuals who are responsible for calculating the marks awarded by the judges and tabulating the final result. If open marking is used at an event the data specialists are normally found at ice level. At other events they will be in the result calculation centre. Generally, each event will have a chief data specialist. The chief data specialist ensures that all accounting rules are followed when determining the result of an event. They work with the technical representative or referee to post results, attend draws and to answer questions regarding results calculation.

Currently, most competition results are calculated using a computer. Some smaller or local competitions may do manual calculations. In both cases, data specialists check and re-check all calculations in order to ensure the accuracy of the results posted.

Data Specialists are required to attend clinics, write examinations and complete practical assignments in order to secure promotions.

Technical Representative/Chief Referee

The Technical Representative or the Chief Referee is responsible for all the technical aspects of a competition. He or can be responsible
for the following items:

development or review of competition announcement
judging assignments (may also be responsible for acquiring judges for an event in conjunction with the applicable Section personnel)
conduct of draws for practice groups, skating order, compulsory dances etc., generally in conjunction with the Chief Accountant
development or review of competition schedule (all practices and events, ice resurfacing and, for synchronized skating,
dressing room assignments)
facility review and room allocation for officials (judges and accountant
location of judges, accountants and music personnel by the ice surface on-site trouble shooting
liaison between coaches, judges, parents, organizing committee, accountants, media

The technical representative's role demands time and expertise. The individual must be available to all stakeholders on-site, and to the officials and organizing committee before, during and after the event. He or she is a key contact between skaters, coaches, parents and the judges and referees.

Judges are available to discuss aspects of events, once the event is officially complete. If a coach, skater or parent has questions about a particular placing, or the rationale behind marks awarded, the coach should approach the technical representative to arrange a time for discussion. This open dialogue is encouraged to ensure that all players are on the same page, and to share knowledge from all points of view. Judges are willing to discuss their own placings and marks awarded, but cannot comment on the marks or placings awarded by their peers.

Evaluator / Judges Newsletter- Fall Edition

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