By Garrett Lucash

Following is a brief analysis of the 10 long programs skated at New England Regionals in the Intermediate Men’s event (click here to read analysis of the intermediate ladies).  The purpose of the analysis is to determine which 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.

Jumps

There is a large range in base value for jumps in the top 4 ranging from 29.34 for 1^stplace to 10.72 for 4^thplace.  The first place finisher performed 2 double axels and 2 triple jumps whereas only one other skater performed 1 double axel and none of the other top 4 finishers performed a triple jump.  In fact, 3 skaters total attempted double axels in the entire event. The 1^stplace finisher was the only skater in the event to achieve a positive GOE for his jump performance total (.4).

Bottom Line: There are plenty of opportunities to leverage points for jumps in the Intermediate Men’s event.  These include: 1. adding double axels and triple jumps 2. Improving GOEs for all panned jumps 3. Improving the base value for other jumps (there were significant penalties such as “under-rotation” issued)

Spins

Only one skater (2^ndplace) achieved 2 level 4 spins.  Four skaters achieved 1 level 4 spin and the rest (including 3^rdplace) did not achieve any level 4 spin.  Spin base value ranged from 6.1 (FSSp3 +CCoSp4) down to 2.98.  The top 6 placements achieved positive GOEs for their spins and 7^ththrough 10^thplace achieved negative GOEs.

Bottom Line: Try to have at least 1 level 4 and 1 level 3 spin in your program and achieve positive GOEs for them both.

Step Sequence

The intermediate level only allows skaters to perform a level 2 difficulty (2.6 base value) or less. Only the top 4 skaters earned a StSq2.  3 skaters earned a StSq1 (1.8 points), and 3 earned a StSqB (1.5 points).  The top 3 earned positive GOEs on their step sequences and the remaining 7 earned negative GOEs.

Bottom Line: As we discussed in the INT Ladies analysis, since the step sequence already takes much time and work, as a skill it really doesn’t account for high points within an INT 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 +2,+3, and +4 GOEs to add value to their program and set them apart from everyone else.

Component Scores

Total component scores range from about 32 points (1^stplace) to about 14 points (10^thplace).  The only skater to achieve individual component scores above 4 points finished 1^st.  2^nd-4^thplace skaters scored in the low to mid 3s.  Performance and Interpretation of Music appear to be the weaker components at this event.

Bottom Line: Try to score in the mid to high 3s for component scores.

Final Words

Let’s take a look at the average scores from the top 4 skaters (see the chart below).  The average total base value for jumps was 17.7 which, interestingly, is higher than the total jump base points for 2^nd– 4^thplace individually.  Adding a double axel or two to the program makes this number more attainable especially if combinations are performed in the second half of the program to achieve the 2^ndhalf bonus.  The average spin base value for the top 4 is about 5.7.  This can be achieved with 2 level 4 spins or a CCoSp4 and a FSSp3.  Make sure you have a level 2 StSq and work those component scores to bring that total up close to 4 points.

			JUMPS			SPINS				StepSeq			Components
Placement	2A?	3?	Base Value	GOE	Total Score	Level 4?	Base Value	GOE	Total Score	Base Value	GOE	Total score	Skating Skills	Performance	Composition	Interpretation of Music		Total Factored Score
1	2	2	29.34	0.4	29.74	1	5.5	1.07	6.57	2.6	0.46	3.06	4.5	4.5	4.38	4.31	16.0326	32.0652
2	0	0	15.07	-0.79	14.28	2	6	0.41	6.41	2.6	0.33	2.93	3.38	3.44	3.69	3.56	12.465	24.93
3	1	0	15.85	-1.48	14.37	0	5.1	0.62	5.72	2.6	0.13	2.73	3.5	3.00	3.69	2.63	11.9628	23.9256
4	0	0	10.72	-1.81	8.91	1 FSp3	6.1	0.74	6.84	2.6	-0.33	2.27	3.13	2.88	3.13	3.19	11.1654	22.3308
5	0	0	10.11	-2.02	8.09	1 FSp3	5.6	0.33	5.93	1.8	0.27	2.07	3.31	3.13	3.13	3.31	11.7216	23.4432
6	0	0	11.37	-1.9	9.47	1 SSp2	5.1	0.26	5.36	1.8	-0.18	1.62	2.75	2.75	2.81	2.56	9.8298	19.6596
7	0	0	13.04	-1.16	11.88	0	4.6	-0.19	4.41	1.5	-0.34	1.16	2.75	2.31	2.56	2.00	9.1548	18.3096
8	2	0	13.75	-2.52	11.23	0	5.1	-0.23	4.87	1.8	-0.23	1.57	2.69	2.44	3.00	3.06	9.9162	19.8324
9	0	0	10.14	-2.93	7.21	0	3	-0.11	2.89	1.5	-0.23	1.27	2.5	2.13	2.63	2.56	8.9028	17.8056
10	0	0	5.55	-0.5	5.05	0	2.98	-1.8	1.18	1.5	-0.34	1.16	2.06	1.75	2.31	1.81	7.2486	14.4972
Top 4			17.745	-0.92	16.825	2	5.675	0.71	6.385	2.6	0.1475	2.7475	3.6275	3.455	3.7225	3.4225	12.90645	25.8129