posted Mar 31st, 2009 - The FSL Shamrock Showdown 2009 did not only have the Skins Game as a feature that is unique for a 4-way competition. This year, there was also a new judging procedure that was tested seriously for the first time.

The NSL News had mentioned a few times in the previews of the event that the CamScore system would allow judging with slower speed viewings. The NSL News asked for recommendation for the judging speed by the IPC's Formation Skydiving Committee, and Chair Fiona McEachern suggested 70% of the full speed.

The teams were informed prior to the meet that judging with slower speed would be applied at the Shamrock Showdown 2009, and the collection of information and data began with Round 1 in DeLand. It was the first time in recent Formation Skydiving history that such a method was applied at a high-profile competition.

The results did not shake the ground during the competition, as the teams were mostly focused on the actual performance. However, teams, competitors, judges and observers already noticed that there were many more penalty marks on the physical scoreboard than usually at a competition.

The significantly higher number of penalties were evenly spread across the board, as the judges applied the same standards very consistently and reliably for all teams. The NSL News did not notice any conflicts between teams and judges as of the point deductions.

One of the most interesting parts of the test was the question what kind of an impact the slower viewing speed would have, compared to other meets where the current IPC rules with only full speed viewings were applied. The NSL News tried to find this answer by simply looking only at the numbers.

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Six of the teams in DeLand had competed at previous 10-round meets where the same or other high-profile judges had provided the scoring services. The NSL News looked at the scoresheets and added up the number of penalties per meet.

The results confirmed what was already obvious during the meet in DeLand. There was a dramatically increased number of penalties. Chances are very little that the same teams had changed their style in the meantime, especially as the same impact was evident for each of the teams, except possibly Cross Road.

In other words, the same teams had probably a similar number of infringements already at the earlier meets - they were just not detected with full speed judging. The 70% viewing speed at the Shamrock Showdown and the sharp eyes of world class judges combined for a precise and painful punishment of the infringements.

It is only logical that it was easier for the judges to see infringements. The top teams are moving at a 23-point average speed at an outdoor competition these days, with an average competition draw. Many competitors and coaches have already commented that it has become hard to make correct judgement calls in many situations.

The application of a slower speed viewing, like the 70% speed at the Shamrock Showdown, brings the judges and competitors back to a time when the scoring level was much lower, and the eyes could follow easier. 70% of a 23-point average performance looks like a 16.1 average level on the screen for judges and observers. France won the World Meet in 1991 with a 17.1 average...

The judges in DeLand mentioned that they also scored formations here and there that they may not have given to the teams with only full speed viewing. Even this other side of the coin confirms that the judges were closer to the truth in DeLand compared to other meets, which is important for the teams and competitors.

The judging procedure at the Shamrock Showdown did not slow down the meet much at all. Many of the jumps required the three viewings, one in full speed, the second one in 70% of the full speed, and a third one optional. However, CamScore was well prepared to provide the speed that the meet management would ask for, and the scores were still posted timely.

It will be interesting to see whether a slower judging speed will have a future in the sport. Judging will become even more challenging this weekend at Bodyflight Bedford when the best teams in the world will perform on a much higher scoring and pace level at the World Challenge 2009.

The last situation that teams and judges would probably like to have is judging at a pace so fast that there is barely time to push the buttons quickly enough and count the points. Judges have more important things to do...