Question about points for "levels"...

[Lark]

I was watching NHK Trophy when I thought I heard a commentator state that Diasuke Takahashi (sp) is the only skater to have gotten a Level 4 in footwork.
Did I hear that correctly? Was that as in "ever" gotten a Level 4 in the CoP in footwork??? "Ever"?

If that is what was said, then what about Plushenko and Joubert? How is that possible?


And I swear I have heard competitions where Sasha got a Level 2 for her spiral sequence? HUH?

I guess my main question is how do the points work for each level? Do you get a certain percentage point higher for each level, or is it a point for level 1, 2 points for level 2, etc.?

I would love if somone could answer this for me. Thanks. :)

[Lark]

Surely this is an easy question for someone more "in the know". :P

[icedancer2]

Well, I THINK the reason may be that level 4 was only introduced this year... anyone else?

This would be a good question for those at goldenskate or fsu I think - they tend to more knowledgable about this stuff in general.:)

[Lark]

If anyone could ask someone at Goldenskate or FSU, I would appreciate it, I just have never gone to those sites.

I appreciate it, and remember, we all benefit from the knowledge! LOL :P

[Ellyn]

Yes, originally (2003-04 season, when the new system was first introduced) there were three levels of elements.

The following year (04-05) there were four levels for dance but still three for freestyle. I think Delobel/Schoenfelder and maybe one or two other teams managed to achieve level 4 for step sequences that year, but it was very rare compared to level 4s for other dance elements.

Last year (05-06) the freestyle elements were divided into four levels for the first time. Takahashi earned level 4 for a step sequence in his short program at 2005 NHK. That was probably the first time by a singles skater.

[Lark]

Ellyn, you rock! :)

What about the act of actually applying points for the different Levels? How is that done? What points or percentages go toward each Level?

[Ellyn]

What about the act of actually applying points for the different Levels? How is that done? What points or percentages go toward each Level?

Most of the ISU documents about the judging system are here but it's a little out of date:
http://www.isu.org/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,4844-152055-169271-nav-list,00.html

USFigure Skating has links to these and their own documents/clarifications here:
http://www.usfigureskating.org/New_Judging.asp?id=311

I think your question about the point values will be answered by looking at the current Scale of Values for singles and pairs:
http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/200607%20SP%20SOV.pdf

Basically every type of element has an assigned value for each level (or number of rotations in the case of jumps/throws), and there are also assigned values to the grades of execution for each element. E.g., +1 grade of execution is only worth 1.0 points for the elements with the highest point values. For less valuable elements, the pluses and minuses are worth less also.

How are the levels assigned?

Here's the current table of level definitions for singles:
http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/200607%20Singles%20Levels.pdf

See ISU communication 1396 for the comparable table for pairs, plus some additional details.
http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/ISUCommunication1396.pdf

Some of the other links on the USFSA page give more clarifications.

There are separate documents for ice dance (and synchronized skating), if you're interested in that too.

[Lark]

Thank you Ellyn. That was great info. :)