By Garrett Lucash

Following is a brief analysis of the top fifteen long programs skated at the 2019 New England Regionals in the Intermediate Ladies event.  The purpose of the analysis is to determine what skills might be necessary to qualify (finish in the top 4) for sectionals.  We will break down the analysis into several functional categories: jumps, spins, step sequence, and component skills.  To learn more about the IJS system, please refer to our blog Understanding the International Judging System (IJS).  Look for upcoming blogs that cover other levels.

Jumps

The top four finishers scored more than 20 points for their total jump performances.  There are 6 jumping passes so that means one would need to average 3.3 points per jump.  Almost every skater in the top 15 received bonuses for performing 3 jumping passes in the second half of their programs.  Also, the intermediate level is designed to reward skaters for attempting difficult jumps.  All double Axel (2A) and triple jump attempts are awarded a 1 point bonus (A 2A is normally worth 3.3.  With the bonus it is worth 4.3). We can clearly see how this impacts the scoring.  Of the top 4 placements, 2 skaters attempted 3 triple jumps and 1 skater attempted 2. All of them had at least 1 double axel in their programs.  The base value for jumps from those who attempted triple jumps was considerably higher than skaters who did not attempt triples.  We also see that two of these triple jump skaters had overall negative grades of execution (GOE) for their jumps – most significantly for the second place finisher.  The bonus awarded for attempting the triple jumps balances out (or even outweighs) the negative GOEs for mistakes.  The 4^thplace finisher utilized a different strategy to achieve more than 20 points on jumps.  This skater relied on jump quality (GOE) and bonuses for each of 2 double axels.  In fact, though skaters placing 5^thand 6^thdid not have double axels or triple jumps, they too relied on jump quality to achieve their jump scores (though these were considerably lower than the medalists and more similar to many other skaters in the top 15).

Bottom line: Try to earn 20 points from jumps.  This can be achieved through triple jump attempts (even if they do not receive positive GOEs) or with 2 double axels and positive GOEs on all jumping elements.  You can also earn more points by adding your combination jumps to the second half of the program.

On a side note, we had an interesting conversation with a technical specialist from Australia.  He told us that there is no jump bonus there and, as a result, skaters do not attempt harder jumps because they cannot afford the risk.

Spins

With spins there is much more similarity in performed content and GOE throughout the event.  10 of the 15 skaters achieved 2 level 4 spins in their programs and all skaters were awarded positive GOE totals for their spins.  The highest planned spin content came from skaters who performed a level 4 combination spin (CCoSp4) and level 4 flying sit spin (FSSp4) for a total of 6.5 points.  Two skaters performed level 4 layback spins (LSp4) which is worth .2 higher than a level 4 sit spin (SSp4) with no flying entrance.  3 of the top 4 finishers scored more than 7 points total on their spin performances.  However, several skaters (including the 14^thplace finisher) also scored more than 7 points.

Bottom Line: You need two level 4 spins in your program.  You need to achieve positive GOEs on them both.  Adding a fly to your sit will give you an extra .5 and if you can’t do that then add a layback spin.  This is an area not dominated by any skater and could be a category to earn extra points for performing exemplary spins beyond the other skaters in the field – no skater was awarded a +4 or above and the skater with the highest GOEs did so with +1 through +3s.

Step Sequence

There is even more limitation to the step sequence (StSq) as the intermediate level only allows skaters to perform a level 2 difficulty (2.6 base value) or less.  11 of the top 15 finishers achieved level 2 StSq and 1 achieved a level 1 (1.8 base value).  Interestingly, 3 skaters including the 6^thplace finisher did not achieve even a level 1 (they were given StSqB which is worth 1.5 base value).  Overall, this means there was only a 1 point difference in the base value for all competitors.  The top 4 finishers had positive GOEs (fourth place finisher had the highest in the event) but so did every competitor.

Bottom Line: Since the step sequence already takes much time and work, as a skill it really doesn’t account for high points within a program.  However, we feel this is a category with untapped potential – someone could come out with an amazing level 2 step sequence and grab some +3 and +4 GOEs to add value to their program and set them apart from everyone else.

Component Scores

There is about a 10 point gap between 1^stplace (33+ points) and 15^thplace (23+ points) for component score.  In general, the top 4 placements averaged about 4.5 points for each component.  The weakest categories appear to be skating skills and Interpretation of Music.

Bottom Line: Make sure those component scores are well above 4 for each category.

Conclusion

To qualify for sectionals a skater can take two different approaches: The riskier one that involves triple jumps and bonuses to make up for negative GOEs.  The other option is to place 2 double axels and achieve positive GOEs on all jumps.  The skater should have 2 level 4 spins that consistently earn +1 through +3s from the judges, a level 2 step sequence that also earns +1 through +3’s from the judges, and solid component scores that earn about 4.5 points.