Schedule 1998/99

*** The Dates of Mad Masters and Valdez will be coordinated, so that competitors will be able, to ski in both events!!! Valdez might be some days later than scheduled before.

Judging Guidelines

Introduction

Welcome, Judges, to the sport of competitive Big Mountain Freeskiing. This manual is designed as an aid for first time judges. Sitting on the judge’s scaffold is sometimes harder than competition; pay close attention. This handbook is a work in progress; it will evolve and change to better accommodate the sport.

The information of this manual is compiled of many descriptions of format and criteria, thoughts on the criteria, including tips on what to look for in the quest for accuracy and consistency. Also included in the handbook are descriptions of judges’ conduct and obligation.

This manual is applicable to all IFSA big mountain sanctioned events and may be useful when running other freeskiing events. The contents are the fruits and compilation of years of 9 years of competition and the organization of a sanctioning body, the IFSA.

In the future, we will be able to train and accredit all IFSA judges. Until the organization grows to that level we hope that this manual will help you with your event.

We hope that you are as excited as we are to be a part of the rapidly growing sport of competitive freeskiing. We hope you stay involved!

On behalf of the IFSA, I thank you for your time and energy,
- Angela Hornbrook

Judging format 

There have two judging formats in big mountain freeskiing competition:

1. Five judges judge all five categories. Scores are totaled and averaged by 5. 50 points is the highest possible score.
This is the format of the World Tour and most feeder events. Benefits: judges may be separated on long venues. Athletes are used to this format.

2. Five judges judge one category per judge. Scores are added together to get the total of the run. 50 points is the highest possible score. This format was used at a number of events in 1996-7. Benefits: this format works well if you have new judges specialized in certain category areas. Drawback: You cannot separate the judges for longer venues. If one judge sneezes that category may be affected.

Both formats have proven effective. After a great deal of discussion the IFSA promotes the use of five judges scoring all five categories. It is more difficult for the judges but does seem to produce a cleaner and truer score.

Degree of Difficulty (Line Difficulty)
Control
Fluidity
Form & Technique
Aggressiveness

Each category holds equal weight. However, the categories often effect each other. i/e: Falling has a significant effect on categories 2,3, and 5.

Specifics of Categories:

Degree of difficulty/line- Each skier chooses his/her line down the venue. Competitors are given high scores for choosing a difficult line. Difficulty is determined by steepness, exposure, snow conditions and obstacles or hazards. This category is scored first.
Note: This is the most significant category! All other categories maximum score is directly related to line score. For example, a competitor cannot score a 9 for control after skiing a 3 line (Judging Tips). The line score is discussed among the judges and is predetermined before the competition starts each day; after they (the judges) and the forerunners have skied the venue.

Control- Skiers MUST BE IN CONTROL. ANY loss of control will result in a lower score. A fall is the ULTIMATE LOSS of control. However, a skillful recovery will reduce a penalty. If a competitor falls in a predetermined NO FALL ZONE (dangerous are to lose control) the "2 point rule" must be instituted. (The finish area may be considered a no fall zone.)

Fluidity- Constant direction toward a goal (areas of the course, the finish etc.) This category includes CONTINUITY, PACE, and SMOOTH transitions. Stopping, unnecessary traverses and most falls will result in a lower score.

Form & Technique- Competitor is judged on STYLE and technical ability. There are no standards. This is a category where the athlete impresses the judges with their style and skiing beauty.

Aggressiveness (attack)- ENERGY with which the competitor attack his or her chosen line. Are they timid about the line? or really focused and confident; skiing fast and strong?

CATEGORIES:

Difficulty of Line
This category is judged first and has the greatest influence on the other categories. Line score determines the 2-point rule. The 2-point rule means that the maximum score for ALL other categories is limited to two points above the line score (allowing 1 point for an extraordinary run).
The different line score values are predetermined after the forerunners, and remain consistent throughout the entire venue day. Air does not increase this score, the terrain or obstacles do. Leave allowances for variations (1 point), as no two runs are totally identical. The judges will be free to discuss difficulty of line value ONLY.
Example: If the line score is a 5 all other categories may not exceed 7 points. If the competitor REALLY ripped in aggressiveness then they could potentially get an 8 for aggressiveness (2 points + 1bonus).
Remember that our job is to separate the competitors and find the best skier each day, SO save that extra point for something that truly stands out in the category.

Control
This is the second category judged. It is a crucial category for many reasons. If a competitor falls, or displays a loss of control this category is severely effected. Make a note in the notes column and count every time a competitor falls. It is easy, after 93 competitors, in a 3-½ minute run to forget whether a skier fell at the beginning or somewhere in between. Come up with good systems to use; point deductions for different kinds of falls, or a mark at the top of your scorecard "notes box" for a fall early in the run etc. With a good system you will score falls with the same severity whether it is 8 am or 4:10pm.
Another aspect of control is speed control. Is the competitor skiing aggressively fast or do you get the impression that he/she is barely pulling it off? This becomes very important as the competitor continues through their run and the venue becomes more exposed or technical. As judges, we need to keep in mind that only the best skiers who produce the cleanest runs should advance to the next venue. Is the athlete just letting their skis run a little after air, or are they unable to check their speed? Control, or out of control? Pay attention.
Finally, and most importantly, the control category can effect the remaining 3 categories with a 2 point rule (like line choice) if a competitor falls in a NO FALL ZONE (NFZ). A NFZ is a predetermined area of the venue where a competitor must not fall or lose control. Examples of a NFZ might be a very exposed cliff area, a tight finish area, or a steep treed couloir. Judges must make the competitors aware of these areas and take notes on their scorecard if a loss of control happen in a NFZ.
Example: A competitor looses control in a tight couloir NFZ and pindles through some trees risking potential injury, regroups and skis to the bottom. Judges should note NFZ fall on scorecard and instate a 2-point rule. Line = 8 Control = 2 Fluidity , Form and Aggressiveness may not exceed 4 points (+ 1 point extraordinary). In the case of a fall in a NFZ, judges may talk about line score and agree that the fall was in an NFZ

Fluidity
As in the control category, create a system for yourself to maintain consistent evaluation of fluidity. Keep track of how many times the skier stopped, and for how long. It is helpful to count the seconds in your head every time the skier stops and accumulate a number of downtime for the run. If a skier was stopped for ¼ of their total time I know to deduct the same number of points for that all day long. 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 4 seconds, 11 seconds of down timeout of a 2 minute run is significant.
Did the skier fall? Did he just roll over and keep going or hike back up to get gear. Probing or gaining courage? Slamming on the breaks or flowing over obstacles? Is the athlete over the Time Limit?
OVER TIME (OT) = DNF = 0 score in every category. Exception: The head judge may overrule an OT/DNF. The circumstances must be so overwhelming that the extra time actually increased to raddness of the run that they overlook the OT.
Example: Julie stopped a lot and caught her breath, got lost and back on track, pole probed the hell out of every air and generally had a lot of down time. OT = DNF. Tracey chose a tough line got into some cool areas of the venue, maybe went where no one else had gone and really pushed the envelope, her run was always moving towards the finish, without unnecessary traverses etc. but she ran over by 5 seconds (was it really that long? It was so gripping.)

Form/ Technique
Keep in mind the competitors skiing fundamentals. Allow for personal skiing style if cleanly executed. Is the athlete skiing with efficiency of motion? I he/she exhausted? Does she always butt check landing air? Is he always sketchy or gut wrenching to watch in icy areas? This category really allows the judge to reward the solid skiers.
Example: If Jack and Tim ski the 9 line with an 8 for control, at about the same fluid rate, THIS category allows the judges to reward a skier for his skiing ability. Perhaps Tim made the run look effortless and beautiful; where Jack’s run was good but it just didn’t have the finesse that Tim had.
This category also allows the judges to reward skill. How a competitor lands an air or other maneuver should be considered in this category. Remember that Air is not a category so we do not give extra points for a fancy trick. Rather, in this category, we look at how successful the competitor executed it. It added an element of skill or style to their skiing.

Aggressiveness/Attack
Pretty self-explanatory. However, do not forget that competitors must always be in control. You will quickly see that competitors will aggressively bite off a bit more than they can ski. This category allows judges to check the competitor's limits. Do not reward an aggressive athlete if they are ignorant of their limits, skiing out of their ability, or getting into trouble. Aggressiveness can work for and against a competitor. The line is easy to spot.

Time Limits
The time limit for the venue is determined by the forerunners. After the forerunners have completed their runs the judges determine a generous time limit and radio it to the start gate. There is one time limit for men and women. Any competitor who exceeds the time limit, DNF and does not receive a score (zeros in all categories). Stand firm on your time limit! (Very) occasionally the time limit will need to be adjusted after the first couple of women (be careful if this happens, it open you up to protests from the initial women). Competitors who do not finish within the predetermined time limit. The Head judge may only determine exceptions to the time limit. See 3. Fluidity.

FINISH LINE
Competitors who do not cross the finish line within the Time Limit will receive 0 (zeros) in every category. Competitors who do not cross the finish line with both skis will receive 0 (zeros) in every category. (Poles, goggles etc. are extraneous equipment. Competitors should make some effort to finish with all of their equipment. If a competitor leaves easily retrieved equipment in the venue, it is up to the judges to decide if the equipment was easy to get and whether it will result in any score deduction. (Don’t worry this does not happen often.)

No Fall Zones (NFZ)
A No Fall Zone is an area determined by the judges to be an area where athlete MUST NOT LOSE CONTROL. Instates a 2-point rule See 2. Control.

2 point rule
All categories may not exceed a preceding category by more than 2 points. See Line Choice and 2. Control due to NFZ.

Evaluation
Be careful to evaluate each category separately. Try not to get an overall impression of the run and then score the categories. Even though the categories are related, they describe something different about the competitors last run. When the athlete picks up their cards after their run, they want to know exactly what to improve for the next run.

Scale
Use the whole scale from 1-10. Our job as judges is to separate a lot of skiers. Do not be afraid to use the range. If there were 6 ties for 2^nd place you aren’t doing your jobs. Use the scale, reward excellence and criticize fuck-ups. Half points are not the solution to your scores. Tip: Use caution how you start scoring the day. Leave room for higher and lower scores. You do not want to be stuck giving 9’s and 10’s all day because you were too generous (or vice versa) in the morning

Quiet please
The last thing the judges want is for athletes to protest because they think the judging is unfair. A very simple way to do this is by doing your own work. It is cold and exhausting to judge. You’re antsy, sometimes you feel like blurting, "rad! That was sick!" or "this guy, SUCKS!" Athletes watch judges, CLOSELY, and for some reason they think that talking judges means they "don’t like me", "didn’t see me", "Shane really likes the way Brant skis and he’s influencing the other judges", or "those judges aren’t paying attention". Whatever. The easiest way to avoid this is to keep communication amongst the judges to a minimum. Talk about line choice, no falls zones, time limits, and pee breaks.

Shit Happens!
We are all human, not machines. Sometimes situations arise and you lose a skier in the binoculars, you sneeze, or for whatever reason missed something. Ask the other judges what you missed. It is always better to confirm if there was a fall than to bluff and risk a bigger mistake or protest.

Competition issues

Responsibility- Judges are expected to act responsibly and respectfully. Athletes take their competitions very seriously, please respect their careers. Your job here is a commitment to quality.

Meetings- All judges must be present at all mandatory meetings unless physically impossible.

Protests- Competitor protests cost $25.00 immediately following the run. The competitor must alert and pay the (TD) Technical Delegate (IFSA or Race Department) who may grant a provisional rerun on a case-by-case basis. The TD will only consult the judges if and when the TD deems it appropriate. Competitor will run at the end of the field. NO COMPETITOR MAY PROTEST OR SPEAK TO THE JUDGES ABOUT HIS/HER PROTEST.

Scoring- A scorekeeper and assistant will be with the judges to add and total the score and record totals after every run. Scores will be posted as the scores are confirmed. Actual judges’ cards will be made available to the athletes as their scores are posted to review and turn back in AWAY from the judging area in the finish area.

Inspection- The will inspect every run. On the way to the venue, judges will ski and discuss the difficulty of each possible line and the snow conditions of the day. The forerunner's descents will be discussed and time limit will be set. After that, there will be very little discussion amongst the judges.

Start Orders- Judges will have a copy of the start order to keep track of what bib # they are watching, and to note if a competitor is out of order. It is up to the competitors to run in their start order. A missed start will result in disqualification.

HEAD JUDGE extra responsibilities

Forerunners- The Head Judge decides who foreruns the course. Select carefully.

Binoculars- If the organizers provide the judges with binoculars it is up to the Head Judge to return all of the binoculars to the organizer or forfeit monetary compensation or be charged for missing equipment.

Scorecards- Ensure all judges have ample amount of scorecards before they leave for the venue.

Quiet- Head Judge is responsible to maintain conversation to line and control discussion. Try to check that the other judges are working separately and NOT comparing scores.

Fluidity of event- Head Judge should keep the contest rolling. Speed up the slow judges and keep the event going. Who wants to sit/stand in the cold until dark?