In the last 10 years or so, synchronized skating has moved into respected territory throughout the skating community. Before only recognized for its costumes and capacity to be a glorified Can-Can on ice type spectacle, in 2004 the International Skating Union (ISU), comprised of leaders in the sport with compounding excellence in skating, coaching, and judging abilities, implemented the International Judging System (IJS), a comprehensive judging system similar to that used in singles competition at the Olympic level.
Complimenting a higher standard of performance and incorporating choreography and execution, the IJS is an objective platform that measures degrees of difficulty in a series of program components (dependent upon the level of competition), and grades of executing them. In an effort to eliminate unfounded subjectivity between judges and the personal bias prevalence affective in the old 6.0 system, this new statistical based method has proven to be welcomed but incomprehensible to master.
Attempting to build consistency and clout, the IJS has caused problems from day one. With new rules and changes and new amendments almost every year since its birth, the ISU has struggled to keep a handle on communicating the new formulation to skating organizations. But some how, some way, some of the world's best coaches continue to rise to the occasion, and synchro teams hit competition season year after year with some of the most unbelievable programs.
Below is a performance from one of my favourite Canadian team's, Les Supremes, at the World Championships in Ottawa in 2003. This was the last time time 6.0 was used in International competition, and what's interesting about it is that the program was already tailored to the new system which wasn't implemented until the following season. Les Supremes are known for their Montreal style skating, and their emotionally executed performances. Talented and beautiful skaters, too. Watch:
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