Format description
Results on screen. Photo by Sveinung Svendsen
To be a laboratory for snowboarding has been the mission statement for TAC since the beginning. We change and experiment with formats, judging, competition set up, TV-production – all aspects of the sport and the presentation of it. 3 years ago we introduced the variation score for quarterpipe; awarding trick variation and sourcing this information directly to riders, spectators and TV viewers through TV graphics. The system was fair, open and exciting. The riders knew what to expect from the judges and the feedback on their performance was immediate – live, on the air, on the mike, through the wire.
With the re-introduction of slopestyle on the TAC program, we wanted to take the variation score a step further. Slopestyle contains per definition more variation than a quarterpipe as there are multiple obstacles in one run and rails, kickers, hips and corners varies in shaping. So we looked in another direction. Our ambition was to create something progressive and new, but to stay true to the sport and be fair to the riders. And we wanted the presentation to be exciting and easy-to-grasp for the fans. By judging every obstacle and displaying each score in every riders run, there is no hiding for the judges. Everything is out in the open, giving rider’s instant feedback on their performance. So we called this the obstacle score.
But we all know that riding a slopestyle is not only about technical definition of single tricks. There is something subtle and intangible about the run that makes one guy stand out from the other (what a sick run!) – Even if the tricks are exactly the same. In snowboarding we have a delicate mix of style, flow and feeling that is hard to quantify, but nevertheless a vital part of our sport. The day counting rotations is the only determined factor in judging is the day competitive snowboarding dies. So we brought in the flow score.
In TAC 2010, we have one judge per every obstacle, giving the obstacle score. And we have two guys looking at the flow. We even brought in an assistant head judge to make sure maximum focus at the job at hand. Live TV airings is a thrilling experience, and especially with all this info going into the system. For each run there are 5 obstacle score, one flow score and a total score. Not ONE total score as in other contests. In the finals alone, the judge panel is delivering 210 scores – everything live, on the air, on the mike, through the wire.
Thank God they are all former or existing pro riders and don’t hang in the bar the night before….
