two separate panels, the judges and the technical panel, working independently to get a fi nal out- come.
SKATING: Most people are familiar with the callers, who determine the level of diffi cul- ty (1–4) of spins, lifts and step sequences, and whether a jump is fully rotated. But data and vid- eo replay operators also have key roles. Kirby: T e panel is fi ve people: a technical
controller, usually a former judge; a technical specialist and an assistant technical specialist, from the coaching and skating side; a data op- erator who inputs the information called by the technical specialist; and a video replay operator, who pulls up (video of) elements to be reviewed. David (Santee) did data or video for every event in Sochi. Santee: T e video operator sits down in the
fi rst row, and his job is to record each element and then put it into a particular box so it can easily be found and reviewed by the judges. You have to know all the elements and you have to be able to get the clips in a concise fashion. T ere is such a limited amount of time between each skater for review, especially when TV is involved. A data operator inputs all of the calls into the computer, and also runs replay. So, if you’re look- ing at a jump, you’re the one who slows the action down so [judges and callers] can see what they need to see. You’re in the middle of the action, which is kind of fun. SKATING: What is the toughest part of the
job? Kirby: You’re sitting there with an oppor-
tunity to reward what is done, not to penalize skaters in any way. T e judges are the ones who determine how well elements are done. T e hard- est thing for me is to give (an element) a zero because it doesn’t fi t the criteria. If you look at a replay and it is conclusive and the entire panel agrees, fi ne. If it’s a split decision, that’s a hard call to make. Blumberg: You have to trust the eye of the
person you are calling with. Everyone is strong- willed and opinionated, and you would hope you are all on the same page. You have to be consis- tent with how you communicate calls to your teammates. SKATING: Judy, calling ice dance and pairs would seem to have special challenges, since you are watching two skaters. Blumberg: I always want to stick with the
weaker skater. T at is where the levels will drop. So if, say, the lady is missing steps in practice, I say to my partner, ‘I will watch her.’ You have to take the lowest common denominator on the step sequences; if one skater is not holding an edge, or trips, then that is what I have to call. SKATING: What are some of the rewards? Kirby: US Figure Skating does some great seminars and brings in technical specialists to monitor skaters. T is season, I looked at a skater’s footwork, and I said, ‘T at’s Level 1.’ T e coach said, ‘No, it’s Level 4.’
Kubicka: Some of the nonqualifying com-
petitions have critiques for the skaters and coach- es, and I think they are good for everybody. T ey tend to separate better coaches from not-so-good coaches. Parents can see that; they ask, ‘Why was my child downgraded on this element?’ And it was an illegal element, shouldn’t have been in the program in the fi rst place. I think the coaches have to do more homework now to plan the pro- grams. Santee: I’ve been to the last three Champs
Camps and I love them. You have a chance to give back and get to know a lot of skaters one-on- one, and what their thoughts are for the upcom- ing season. I love being part of the solution. Blumberg: I am thrilled I can mentor skat- ers and help them get to where they need to go next. It’s been one of the biggest advantages of my life and has put me on a diff erent footing with skaters, than where I was with offi cials when I was skating. SKATING: What would you say to a cur-
I said, ‘I’m a caller.’ So
they went to a Grand Prix and got Level 1. I said, ‘I told you it was Level 1, and you wouldn’t change it.’ So I give advice. I have fun doing that because I’m a coach at heart.
rent skater who is considering becoming quali- fi ed to sit on a technical panel? Kubicka: Any skater, particularly one who is thinking of going into coaching, should at least attend a technical seminar. It’s easy to stand on the other side of the fence and say, ‘Hey, that call isn’t right.’ It’s a whole other thing to be on the fi ring line on the panel. Information on U.S. Figure Skating’s techni-
cal specialist training and advancement guidelines is posted on
USFS.org.
SKATING 17
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