At the recent 2022 ISU Congress, the introduction of three Program Components (PCs) was approved: composition (pattern dance time), performance and skating skills. These PCs will be applied to all national categories scored using the Cumulative Points Calculation (CPC) system. This includes the Podium Pathway, STAR, Adult and Special Olympics categories.
In connection with the implementation of the new program components, Skate Canada reviewed all factors of the program components. This review had two objectives:
1. Technical Element Evaluation (TES) vs. Program Component Evaluation (PCS):
The percentage that TES and PCS contributed to the overall score was reviewed for all categories and segments in order to have them contribute more evenly. In general, this resulted in an increase in the weight of PCs relative to the overall score. The following is a summary of the changes:
- Singles and Doubles:
- Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Pre-Novice, Novice and STAR 5 to 9: PC factors increased by approximately 15%. This represents a 5% to 9% increase in the overall score.
- STAR 10 and Gold: In the past, these tiers used the same PC factors as STAR 5, 6 and 8. This resulted in a significant imbalance between TES and PCS. Therefore, the STAR 10 and Gold factors have been increased accordingly and represent an average increase of 19% over the overall score.
- Ice Dance:
- Pattern Dance: at all levels there was a significant imbalance between TES and PCS in the pattern dance segments. To reduce this difference, the PC coefficients are increased accordingly, representing approximately a 10-15% increase in the model dance score.
- Free Dance: PC factors for all levels increased by approximately 20%. This represents an approximate 7% increase in the free dance score.
- Together, the increases in PC factors for pattern dance and free dance represented an average increase of 10% over the total score.
- Synchronized Skating: No changes to PC factors are required for synchronized skating
The resulting increases in total score due to increased program component factors will be important when comparing results to previous seasons.
2. Relative weights of the PC factors:
As outlined in Skate Canada LTD, the development of basic skating skills is critical in the Learn to Train stage of development (Pre-Junior, Junior and STAR 5 to 8 levels). To support this essential aspect of development, the weight of the Skating Skills program component has been significantly increased. Additionally, the Learn to Train categories (excluding model dance) are judged using skating and performance skills only. The composition is not evaluated at this level. These changes are intended to support the focus on core skills acquisition at the Learn to Train level. Model dances will be evaluated using timing, presentation and skating skills.
As a skater progresses to the Train to Train stage, all three program components are evaluated: composition, performance, and skating skills.
All program component factors are published in the Skate Canada Competition Scoring Rule.
Add Comment