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Figure Skating's Scoring System in Crisis

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, February 17th 2026 at 17:16 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: UNITED STATES, CHINA

Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 - The world of figure skating continues to grapple with a phenomenon first observed several years ago: how to accurately and fairly judge athletes who prioritize technical prowess over traditional artistry. This question, initially sparked by the emergence of Alysa Liu, remains a central debate as the sport evolves, pushing the boundaries of athleticism and demanding a re-evaluation of established scoring criteria.

Liu burst onto the scene as a 13-year-old, instantly setting herself apart not merely by her age, but by the sheer audacity and execution of her jumps. While many young skaters are focused on mastering the fundamentals, Liu was consistently attempting - and landing - the most technically demanding elements in the sport. Most notably, she became the first, and for a long time only, woman to consistently include the triple axel in competitive programs, a jump requiring immense power and aerial control. But it wasn't just the inclusion of the jump; it was the context. Liu routinely incorporated the triple axel into complex, multi-jump combinations - sequences that most skaters struggle to complete with even two triple jumps.

This technical ambition, while dazzling to watch, presented an immediate challenge to judges. The scoring system in figure skating relies on a dual assessment: Technical Element Score (TES) and Program Component Score (PCS). TES quantifies the difficulty and execution of jumps, spins, and step sequences, using base values adjusted by Grade of Execution (GOE) marks. PCS, however, is where the subjectivity creeps in. It evaluates skating skills, transitions, performance, composition, and interpretation - essentially, the artistic merit of the program.

Traditionally, skaters who excelled in PCS were those who presented a seamless blend of grace, fluidity, and emotional connection. They weren't just performing jumps; they were telling a story on the ice. Liu, with her relentless pursuit of technical difficulty, often appeared to prioritize power and precision over these traditionally valued artistic elements. Her jumps, while flawlessly executed from a technical standpoint, could be perceived as jarring or lacking the effortless flow expected in a high-scoring program. Her skating sometimes appeared rushed, and interpretations, while not necessarily lacking, didn't always align with the established aesthetic norms.

This discrepancy created a conundrum for judges. They were instructed to score what they saw, but what they were seeing was a skater rewriting the rules of what was possible, challenging the very definition of a successful program. Was it fair to penalize a skater for prioritizing technical innovation, even if it came at the expense of traditional artistry? The debate raged, with some arguing that the current PCS system simply wasn't equipped to handle skaters like Liu, while others maintained that artistry remained paramount, regardless of technical skill.

The discussion extends beyond Liu herself. Numerous skaters have followed in her footsteps, increasingly prioritizing complex jump combinations over refined choreography. This trend has amplified the need for a more nuanced scoring system. Several proposals have been floated over the years, including weighting TES more heavily, developing more granular criteria for evaluating technical artistry (e.g., 'jump integration' as a separate PCS component), and expanding the range of GOE marks to better reflect the quality of both technical and artistic execution.

As of today, February 17th, 2026, no comprehensive changes have been implemented, but the International Skating Union (ISU) continues to experiment with scoring adjustments in lower-level competitions. The goal is to find a balance that rewards both athletic achievement and artistic expression, ensuring that the sport continues to evolve without sacrificing its core values.

Liu, now 16, remains a dominant force, consistently pushing the boundaries of the sport. While her PCS scores remain a subject of debate, her consistently high TES consistently puts her in contention for major championships. She represents not just a talented athlete, but a catalyst for change, forcing the figure skating world to confront its own assumptions and adapt to a new era of athleticism and innovation. The "Alysa Liu Effect" continues to reverberate throughout the sport, and the search for a scoring system that truly captures the essence of modern figure skating continues.