Winter Olympic Games            戻る

《フィギュアスケート・Figure Skating》


The International Skating Union (ISU) Judging System


In 2004, in response to the judgindg controversy during the 2002 Winter Olympics, the ISU adopted the International Judging System (IJS), which became mandatory at all international competitions in 2006, including the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Under the system, points are awarded individually for each skating element, and the sum of these points is the total element score (TES). Competitive programs are constrained to have a set number of elements.

The program components score (PCS演技構成点) awards points to holistic aspects of a program or other nuances that are not rewarded in the total element score (TES).

The components are:
  1)Skating skills (SS)          
スケート技術
  2)Transitions (TR)           
要素のつなぎ
  3)Performance/Execution (PE)  
 演技力/遂行力
  4)Choreography (CH) 
コーリオグラフィ   振り付け
  5)Interpretation (IN)          
曲の解釈


The total element score and the program compornents score are added to give the total score for a competition segment (TSS). A skater's final placement is determined by the total of their scores in all segments of a competition.


Elements and moves

Each element receives a score according to its base value and grade of execution (GOE), resulting in a combined technical elements score (TES). At competitions, a technical specialist identifies each element. Elements may be assigned a level of difficulty, ranging from B (Basic) to Level 4 (most difficult). A panel of judges determines GOE, ranging from +3 to -3, based on how well the skaters execute the elements. The GOE is weighted according to the element's base value. The ISU defines a fall as a loss of control with the result that the majority of the skater's body weight is not on the blade but supported by hands, knees, or buttocks.

JUMPS
Don't you think that it's too difficult to tell the difference of jumps? I struggled to find the good explanation of them. Through combining the explanation in English and Japanese, I finally understood the character of each jump. I hope you'll be able to tell the difference of jumps after reading the following description:
ジャンプの違いを区別するのは難しすぎると思いませんか?私はそれらの良い説明を見つけるのに[もがきました]苦労しました。英語と日本語での説明を合わせることによって、(私は)ついにそれぞれのジャンプの特徴を理解できました。(私は)皆さん[あなた]が次の描写を読ンだ後、ジャンプの違いを区別できるようになる事を望んでいます。
 下の方に、英語と日本語サイトから持ってきた説明文を、多少わかりやすく日本語で書き直して、載せてみたので、参考にしてください♡


Jumps involve the skater leaping into the air and rotating rapidly to land after completing one or more rotations. There are many types of jumps, identified by the way the skater takes off and lands, as well as by the number of rotations that are completed.

Jumps may be rotated in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Most skaters are counter-clockwise jumpers. For clarity, all jumps will be described for a skater jumping counter-clockwise.

There are six jumps in figure skating that count as jump elements. All six are landed on one foot on the right back outside edge (with counterclockwise rotation, for single and multi-revolution jumps), but have different takeoffs, by which they may be distinguished. The two categories of jumps are toe jumps and edge jumps.

The number of rotations performed in the air determines whether the jump is a single, double, triple, or quadruple (known commonly as a "quad"). Senior-level male single skaters perform mostly triple and quadruple jumps in competition. Triple jumps other than the Axel are commonly performed by female single skaters. Only one female skater, Miki Ando has been credited with a quadruple jump in international competition.

Some elite skaters can complete a jump in about one second, with 26 inches of height and 10 feet in distance. The takeoff speed of a jump can reach up to 15 mph.

Toe jumpsare launched by tapping the toe pick of one skate into the ice, and include (in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest):

  1. Toe loops take off from the back outside edge of the left or right foot and are launched by the opposite toe pick (toe walleys are similar, but take off from the back inside edge of the right foot).
  2. Flips, which take off from the back inside edge of the right or left foot and are launched by the opposite toe pick.
  3. Lutzes, which take off from the back outside edge of the right or left foot and are launched by the opposite toe pick.

Edge jumps use no toe assist, and include:

  1. Salchows, which take off from either the left or right back inside edge. Allowing the edge to come round, the opposite leg helps launch the jump into the air and land on one foot;
  2. Loops (also known as Rittberger jumps) take off from either the left or right back outside edge and land on the same edge;
  3. Axels, which are the only rotating jump to take off from a forward edge. Because they take off from a forward edge, they include one-half extra rotations and are considered the hardest jump of the six.
Outstanding feature of Jamps called Loops (including Toe Loops) is that the foot used for landing is the same one as for taking off. In other Jamps the foot (for landing and launching) is different.


SPINS

Spins are a required element in all figure skating competitions, and they exist in all four Olympic disciplines. There are three basic spin positions in figure skating – the sit spin, the camel spin, and the upright spin. There are a number of variations.

During a spin, the skater rotates on the round part of the blade, called the front rocker, just behind the toe pick (the ball of the foot). Spins may be performed individually or in a sequence combining different types of spins. A spin may be executed on the back rocker of the blade during a change of edge spin. For example, a back scratch spin will flip edges to a forward inside edge. This feature of a spin will change the level of a spin. Spins may be performed on either foot. Like jumping, skaters mostly rotate in the counterclockwise direction, but there are some skaters who rotate in the clockwise direction. Some skaters are able to rotate in both directions. For skaters who rotate in a counterclockwise direction, a spin on the left foot is called a forward spin, while a spin on the right foot is called a back spin.

When performing some types of spins, an elite skater can complete on overage 6 rotations per second, and about 70 rotations in a single spin.

Spins can be entered on the ice or through a jump or sequence of jumps known as star jumps. Spins that are entered through a jump are calling flying spins. Flying spins include the flying camel, flying sit spin, death drop, and butterfly spin. Flying spins may go from a forward spin to a back spin. A flying spin can also be performed as part of a spin sequence.



TURNS, STEPS, MOVES IN THE FIELD, and OTHER MOVES
Moves in the field emphasize basic skating skill and edge control. In the context of a competitive program, they include spirals, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, Hydroblading, and similar extended edge moves.

A spiral is an element in which the skater moves across the ice on a specific edge with the free leg held at hip level or above. Spirals are distinguished by the edge of the blade used (inside or outside), the direction of motion (forward or backward), and the skater's position.
Hydroblading is a figure skating move in the field in which a skater glides on a deep edge with the body stretched in a very low position, almost horizontal to the ice.

The step sequence consists of a combination of turns, steps, hops and edge changes. Additionally, steps and turns can be used as transitions between elements


***日本語サイトなどによる種類別ジャンプの説明・反時計回りの場合***

一般的には、空中では反時計回りに回転し、着地するのはすべて右足[スケーティングレッグ]。
踏み切る脚は、トウループとループが右足、他の4ジャンプは左足。
 (時計回りの人は、足はすべて逆)

トウジャンプ(踏み切り足との逆足のトウを使うジャンプ)
トウループ T <難易度:最低>
踏み切る瞬間に、右足アウトエッジに乗り、後向きに左足のトウを使って踏み切るトウジャンプ。コンビネーション(連続)ジャンプの第2、第3ジャンプとしてもよく用いられる。現在、ISU公式競技会で四回転トウループを成功させている選手は男子では多数、女子ではいない。

フリップ F <難易度:やや高>

左足のインエッジにの乗って後向きに右足のトウをついて踏み切るトウジャンプ。空中での回転と同じ向きのターンから行う。
現在、ISU公式競技会で四回転フリップを成功させている選手はまだいない。
(2016年4月、チームチャレンジカップで、日本の宇野昌磨選手が史上初めて4回転フリップを成功させた)

ルッツ Lz <難易度:高>
少し長めに左足のアウトエッジに乗って後ろ向きに滑走し、左肩をぐっと入れて右足のトウをついて踏み切るトウジャンプ
滑走で描いてきた軌跡と反対の回転をかけながら踏み切るので難しいとされるジャンプ。
(2015年、中国のボーヤン・ジンが初めて4回転ルッツを成功させた)

エッジジャンプ(片足だけで踏み切るジャンプ)

サルコウ S <難易度:低>
踏み切る瞬間に、左足のインエッジに乗り、右足の遠心力を使って後向きに踏み切るエッジジャンプ。ジャンプの瞬間、内またがハの字になるのが特徴。エッジが氷を離れるまで上体が1/2回転程先行し、エッジも離氷前に氷上で1/2回転程回転するのが特徴。2013年現在、四回転サルコウを成功させている選手は男子では少数、女子では日本の安藤美姫(2002年)だけ。

ループ Lo <難易度:中>
踏み切る瞬間に、右足のアウトエッジに乗り、後向きに踏み切るエッジジャンプ。氷上での回転(プレローテーション)を利用して空中での回転の力を得るので、エッジは離氷前に氷上で1/2回転程回転し、椅子の腰かけたような格好になるのが特徴。コンビネーション(連続)ジャンプの第2、第3ジャンプとしてもよく用いられる。2013年現在、ISU公式競技会で四回転ループを成功させている選手はまだいない

アクセル A <難易度:最高>
左足の前向きアウトエッジに乗り、右足を振り上げ前向きに乗り踏み切るエッジジャンプ。
前向きに踏み切る唯一のジャンプである。そのため、他のジャンプより半回転多く回転する必要があるので難易度が高い。日本では~回転半ジャンプとも呼ばれる所以である。


***日本語サイトによる種類別スピンの説明***

キャメルスピン (略記CSp)
上半身を水平にするとともに片足を後方に伸ばし、「T」の字に似た形で行うスピン。フリーレッグの膝が臀部より低い位置にあってはならない。
シットスピン (略記:SSp)
腰を落とし、座ったような姿勢で行うスピン。スケーティングレッグの膝が臀部より低い位置にあってはならない。
アップライトスピン (略記:USp)
キャメルスピン以外の膝の伸びた全てのスピン。完全に膝の曲がっているものは認められない。



Teen Hanyu bags 1st Sochi gold for Japan

Junko Nagai / Yomiuri Shimbun Sportswriter SOCHI—Teen star Yuzuru Hanyu became the first Japanese man to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating, capturing the title Friday at the Sochi Winter Games.

Hanyu, in giving Japan its first gold medal in Sochi and the fourth medal overall, topped three-time world champion Patrick Chan, who won the silver medal. It was Japan’s first Winter Olympic gold since Shizuka Arakawa took the women’s crown at the 2006 Turin Games.

The 19-year-old, who scored a world-record 101.45 points in the short program on the previous day, also won the free skate with 178.64 points for a combined total of 280.09. Chan finished with a total of 275.62 points.

Tatsuki Machida, who started the day in 11th place, jumped up to fifth with 253.42 points, while Daisuke Takahashi, the bronze medalist in the 2010 Vancouver Games, dropped from fourth to sixth with 250.67. Denis Ten of Kazakhstan took the bronze, the first figure skating medal for that country, with 255.10.

Hanyu, who had a less-than perfect free program, had to wait nervously for three skaters to finish—including Chan—before the gold was decided. Hanyu then joyously hugged coach Brian Orser.

However, he soon began recalling his performance from a critical viewpoint. “I won the gold medal, but I feel disappointed,” Hanyu said. “Because I’m not satisfied with my performance.”

The pressure in the free skate was greater than Hanyu had expected, as he led Chan by only a small margin. Hanyu fell on his opening jump, a quadruple salchow.

Despite that failure, the composition of Hanyu’s program would have guided him safely to the gold if he had landed other jumps successfully. However, Hanyu fell again on his third jump, a triple flip, which is usually an easy jump for him.

“I thought the gold medal might have slipped away,” Hanyu recalled.

Fatigue became a factor in the second half of the program. Hanyu’s legs became heavy and he felt his energy was running out. However, he did not give up.

He successfully landed five jumps that received an extra 10 percent on their base value because they came in the second half. For his last eight elements, including the five jumps, he earned 57.52 technical points, while Chan earned 43.44 for his last eight elements.

The lead was crucial, as Hanyu edged Chan by 4.47 points in total. If Hanyu had made another major mistake in his jumps, the gold would have gone to Chan.

Hanyu is known for his stoic lifestyle. To concentrate on figure skating, he does not have a cell phone. At the same time, Hanyu loves grabbing the spotlight. “I feel power when watched by many people,” he said.

The stoic entertainer is already eyeing the next Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. “I’m still young. I’m looking forward to making a good performance in the next Olympics,” Hanyu said.





Tears of triumph: Asada achieves best

Asada, who finished sixth in women’s figure skating on Thursday, appeared overcome with emotion at the rink, with tears overflowing from her closed eyes.

“I was able to make the best performance I wanted to achieve,” the 23-year-old skating star said.

Akiko Suzuki, 28, finished eighth and Kanako Murakami, 19, was 12th.

Skating to Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Asada beautifully executed her opening triple axel.

The only female skater who regularly executes the difficult 3½-rotation jump, Asada successfully landed the difficult but high-scoring jump for the first time this season.

Thinking “I did it!” Asada landed the following triple flip-triple loop combination jump, while the triple loop was judged to be underrotated.

Asada then successfully made one jump after another, drawing spectators into her performance.

In the short program the previous day, Asada, apparently succumbed to the pressure, failing all jumps and landing in 16th place.

In Thursday’s free skate, Asada stood on the ice thinking: “I won't achieve a medal outcome. What's left for me is to deliver my own performance.”

As a skater, Asada has been pursuing her “best performance,” not medals.

At the Vancouver Olympics, she had no choice but to avoid two types of jumps she was not adept at.

There are six kinds of jumps currently counted as jump elements.

At Vancouver, Asada was able to make the triple axel in the women’s free skate, but botched two jumps midway through the free-skate program.

Rather than being glad to win a silver medal, Asada felt frustrated, as she could not give her best performance.

After the Vancouver Olympics, Asada fundamentally reviewed her jumps.

At her second and likely last Olympics, Asada believed she would achieve her best performance by successfully executing all triple jumps.

In the free skate, she landed all six types of jumps.

In the final phase of the program, Asada successfully made her three consecutive jump sequences and solidly executed a triple jump, overcoming the failure of four years ago.

She scored 142.72 points, her personal best in the free skate, six points higher than her previous personal best.

“I was able to bring out what I fundamentally reviewed over the past four years,” Asada said.

“I believe I could repay my thanks to all those who have supported me with my best performance.”

Despite not winning a medal, Asada was beaming more than anyone, with a smile in tears.


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