A selection from the elementary and advanced school figures is made by the three or five judges. Every competitor is required to skate these figures. Then three or five minutes is allowed for free skating. The standards for judging the free skating are difficulty and variety of the contents of the programme and its manner of performance as to arrangement of figures, combinations and contrasts, correct carriage, etc. The judges make their marks independently and the totals are then combined. The method of marking both school figures and free skating is to give the competitor a mark for his performance which may be anywhere between 0 and 6 and then multiply this mark by the factor which is shown for the figure skated. The factorial number is stated opposite each of the school figures in the diagram.
The arrangement is such that no free skating programme, however perfect or spectacular, can win for the skater more than two-thirds of the marks obtainable for perfect execution of the school figures. In other words, mere showiness of skating cannot win over superior performance of foundation elements. The justice of this arrangement is obvious. The marks for the school figures and the marks for free skating form a total which is the rating of the skater in the competition. If there is a tie the skater having the highest marks in school skating wins.
The basis for judging is first, correct tracing on the ice; second, position, carriage and movement; third, size of the figure; fourth, the placing of the figure in triple repetition. The judges’ cards should be carefully kept and shown afterward on demand.
There should be encouragement of skating on the part of every community by the maintenance of skating ponds and rinks. No better exercise can be provided for by any city or town. It is almost a universal pastime in all northern climes and would be even more popular than it is if facilities for its enjoyment were increased.
Deep lakes and ponds require from three to five inches of ice to be safe for any considerable crowds. It is better to flood tennis courts or parade grounds than to wait for continued cold weather to furnish sufficient ice for the sport. Even a small area, no larger than a couple of tennis courts, will provide sufficient space for a dozen people skating the largest of the school figures or for several pairs of skaters.