The bump competition in the freestyle attracts a lot of attention, as very exciting stunts can be seen, but do all the judges score? the same? There are two possibilities, depending on the number of judges available in a test.
7 judges format
- Turns: 5 judges must independently evaluate the runner's descent based on criteria that we will see later. The highest and lowest scores are removed and the other three are added.
- Jumps: 2 judges watch the jumps. The maximum score for each jump will be 3.75 points, reaching a total of 7.5 points per jump judge. Take the average, to two decimal places, of both judges.
- Final score: the average of the jumps, the points of the three turn judges and the speed points are added (later we will see how they are calculated). This gives us the total score.
The 7-judge format is used in international level events such as the World Cup, World Championships and Olympics.
Format 5 judges
- Turns: 3 judges evaluate the runner's descent.
- Jumps: 2 judges, the same as in the previous format.
- Final score: will be calculated in an analogous manner to the previous system.
Apart from everything, whether there are 5 or 7 judges, there will be another one, the Chief Judge, who is in charge of coordinating the rest, checking that there are no errors and applying the special procedures. The Chief Judge, except under special conditions, will not score in the test.
Scoring criteria for turns
Turning, as a scoring criterion, refers to the technical evaluation of how well a competitor turns through bumps, using an aggressive but controlled technique. 9 points are considered:
1. Maximum slope: The line of maximum slope is the shortest path from the start to the finish line. To get the maximum points, the competitor must stay on the selected line when leaving the gate. Line changes are penalized.
2. Use of Bumps: Bumps should be used to facilitate the initiation of turns and through driving on skis. At least one turn should be made per bump.
3. Economy of movements: minimum effort with maximum result to turn.
4.Absorption: skis-snow contact should be maintained as much as possible. The faster you ski the absorption should be greater. This is perfectly observed in the movement of the upper part of the body, which should be minimal. If the absorption is not correct, the trunk and head will oscillate up and down continuously. The legs should be used as shock absorbers, anticipating bumps. It is one of the most important and easiest points to observe.
5. Driving: Turns must be initiated by driving. The effective use of the edges to control the speed at the entrance and exit of the turn must be a constant during the descent.
6.Body position:The head should remain static, looking down. Shoulders perpendicular to the line of maximum slope. The arms are kept in front of the body in a natural position. The legs must be kept together with an adequate angulation that combines the movements of the hip, knee and ankle.
7. Base Diving: The baton diving should be used to help the runner maintain pace and balance. The hands are brought forward. Double club diving should be avoided, except for taking off and landing jumps.
8. Control: Control is maintaining a form of skiing like the one described above.
9. Aggressiveness: is skiing up to one's personal limits, but without exceeding them.
The judges use a card where they score, possible faults and the total score. Each turn judge has 5.0 possible points, which he will award depending on the descent.
Card used by spin judges
The track is divided into 9 control gates, which together with the start and finish line divide the track into 10 sections. For each section that the runner skis out of control (he falls, and with speed he travels a section along the ground) or does not ski (he goes down straight, without turning) 0.5 points will be deducted, 10% of the total.
Scoring criteria for speed
Each competitor has the total time it took from leaving the gate until crossing the finish line. This time is measured with a photoelectric cell.
Points earned for speed will be obtained as follows:
1. Atime of reference, the pace set time, which is calculated based on an established average speed, in meters per second (m/s) and the length of the track. It will be different for men, women and children. In the event that the calculation of the pace set time is not possible, 4 runners per category (pace setters) will be selected, normally the best from the previous competition.
They will go down before the competition and in the presence of the judges, who will score them without taking into account the speed points. The time of the one with the highest score of the four will be taken as the pace set time. If there is a tie, a judge-to-judge comparison will be made. If there is still a tie, the time of the fastest runner will be used.
2. Calculation of speed points: the truth is that it would be quite tedious and complicated to explain the exact procedure used to calculate the points (5,625 points, more or less 0.2 points for every 2.5 % difference with the pace set time, but never more than 7.5...)
It is much easier to use a simplified formula called the "Grange Formula". Time points = 13,625-(8 x competitor's time) / pace set time (The reality is that we do it with a computer program connected to the photoelectric cell, so you don't have to worry about anything. Just that it works correctly the cell).
3. Deductions are included in the category of turns, but are only used for falls, touches with the body, complete stops, for whatever reason, or when speed is significantly reduced. They range from 1.5 points of a complete stop, through 0.8-1.0 points of somersault without loss of speed to 0.1-0.5 of a light touch without interruption.
If a competitor loses a ski before the finish line, he or she may end up with only one ski. He will be judged according to his performance. If you do not continue with the descent you have 10 seconds to put it on again. If you do not achieve this, you will be scored up to that point, penalized with a complete stop and will not receive time points. If you stop for any other reason, the same procedure will be applied and you must leave the track as soon as possible
In the event of a tie, the base score of each judge will be calculated, adding their score to one-sixth of the jumping score plus one-third of the speed points. The results are reduced to two decimal places and compared judge to judge. Each competitor receives 1 point if they win in the comparison, 0.5 if they tie and 0 if they lose. The fact that reference, the pace set time, which is calculated based on an established average speed, in meters per second (m/s) and the length of the track. It will be different for men, women and children. In the event that the calculation of the pace set time is not possible, 4 runners per category (pace setters) will be selected, normally the best from the previous competition.
They will go down before the competition and in the presence of the judges, who will score them without taking into account the speed points. The time of the one with the highest score of the four will be taken as the pace set time. If there is a tie, a judge-to-judge comparison will be made. If there is still a tie, the time of the fastest runner will be used.
2. Calculation of speed points: the truth is that it would be quite tedious and complicated to explain the exact procedure used to calculate the points (5,625 points, more or less 0.2 points for every 2.5 % difference with the pace set time, but never more than 7.5...)
It is much easier to use a simplified formula called the "Grange Formula". Time points = 13,625-(8 x competitor's time) / pace set time (The reality is that we do it with a computer program connected to the photoelectric cell, so you don't have to worry about anything. Just that it works correctly the cell).
3. Deductions are included in the category of turns, but are only used for falls, touches with the body, complete stops, for whatever reason, or when speed is significantly reduced. They range from 1.5 points of a complete stop, through 0.8-1.0 points of somersault without loss of speed to 0.1-0.5 of a light touch without interruption.
If a competitor loses a ski before the finish line, he or she may end up with only one ski. He will be judged according to his performance. If you do not continue with the descent you have 10 seconds to put it on again. If you do not achieve this, you will be scored up to that point, penalized with a complete stop and will not receive time points. If you stop for any other reason, the same procedure will be applied and you must leave the track as soon as possible
In the event of a tie, the base score of each judge will be calculated, adding their score to one-sixth of the jumping score plus one-third of the speed points. The results are reduced to two decimal places and compared judge to judge. Each competitor receives 1 point if they win in the comparison, 0.5 if they tie and 0 if they lose. The fact that
