haribobo
06-24-2004, 11:01 AM
I was thinking about how international assignments like Nebelhorn, Vienna Cup, etc sometimes depend on how a skater does in summer events like Liberty Open and Skate Detroit. However, sometimes good skaters cannot get into these events because they fill on a first come-first serve basis, right? So I was thinking what it would be like if the USFSA started a sectional level ranking system in order to assure the top 5 or 10 ranked skaters can get into competitions like Liberty Open. What kinds of things would you take into account for this system?
For me, it would involve rankings from the most recent national, sectional, and regional competitions. Then I would also take into account international results, and results at summer competitions. I would also try to figure out how to assign skaters points based on their results from the previous season, and any skater to beat another ranked skater at any event would get bonus points. These head to head matchups would probably be the most important determinant in rankings. Since some skaters compete only twice a year and others may compete 6, there would need to be a way to measure quality of results against quantity.
Anyway, this is all just a thought. I know this is difficult and not entirely necessary, but it might be fun, and perhaps in the future if the USFSA were to develop these, a skater who has had a great season but had a rough time at sectionals could get a bye to nationals. IMO the season would be a lot more exciting if the USFSA gave a trip to nationals for 2 skaters per section (in addition to the 4 already gained through sectionals) to high-achievers for the season. Any interest or suggestions as to how to do these rankings?
For me, it would involve rankings from the most recent national, sectional, and regional competitions. Then I would also take into account international results, and results at summer competitions. I would also try to figure out how to assign skaters points based on their results from the previous season, and any skater to beat another ranked skater at any event would get bonus points. These head to head matchups would probably be the most important determinant in rankings. Since some skaters compete only twice a year and others may compete 6, there would need to be a way to measure quality of results against quantity.
Anyway, this is all just a thought. I know this is difficult and not entirely necessary, but it might be fun, and perhaps in the future if the USFSA were to develop these, a skater who has had a great season but had a rough time at sectionals could get a bye to nationals. IMO the season would be a lot more exciting if the USFSA gave a trip to nationals for 2 skaters per section (in addition to the 4 already gained through sectionals) to high-achievers for the season. Any interest or suggestions as to how to do these rankings?