Sun Feb 08 12:30:00 UTC 2026: ## Figure Skating Scoring Explained Amidst 2026 Winter Olympics Excitement
The Story:
As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy draw near, figure skating remains a popular and captivating event. This article clarifies the intricacies of the scoring system used in Olympic figure skating, particularly the International Judging System (IJS). It explains how skaters accumulate points based on the difficulty and execution of elements, including jumps and spins, and how program components like composition, presentation, and skating skills are evaluated. The article also touches on the historical context of the 6.0 scoring system, which was retired from the Olympics in 2004, but still sees use in some U.S. Figure Skating events at the local level.
Key Points:
- The Olympics utilize the International Judging System (IJS), not the 6.0 system.
- Skaters earn points based on the difficulty and execution of elements (jumps, spins) and a Grade of Execution (GOE) from -5 to +5.
- Judges evaluate program components: composition, presentation, and skating skills, scored from 0.25 to 10.
- Segment scores (short program/rhythm dance, free skate/dance) are combined to form the final competition score.
- A “perfect score” is technically non-existent under the IJS, unlike the former 6.0 system. In the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, winning scores were well over 200 points.
Key Takeaways:
- The IJS provides a more nuanced and detailed evaluation of figure skating performances compared to the older 6.0 system.
- Understanding the IJS requires knowledge of technical elements, GOEs, and program components.
- High scores in recent Olympics highlight the increasing athleticism and artistry of modern figure skating.
- Interest in figure skating peaks during the Winter Olympics, driving a need for clear explanations of the scoring.
First Piper 