Major League Figure Skating Match

Major League Figure Skating® (MLFS^TM) is unlike any other skating competition in the world. Whereas the typical skating competition requires each skater to compete against one another, Major League Figure Skating has team competition. An MLFS team is formed by two groups of five skaters; each team battles it out in six different events to earn team points.  The team that has earned the most points wins the match.  The entire match from start to finish is between and hour and a half to two hours in length.  The judging of the event is different compared to the traditional way that we’ve been exposed to.  Each skater is judged on the presentation, difficulty and execution of each element.  There are no ordinal (First, Second, etc.) marks.  For example, if two of the skaters skate exceptionally well and the remainders do not, those two skaters will earn their team the majority of points. Except in the Add-On Challenge, only the winner of each segment earns team points.  A total of 250 team points are up for grabs in an MLFS Match. The first team to reach 126 points is the winner.

The events are:

1. Team Freeskate
2. Jump Face-Off
3. Spin Face-Off
4. Technical Showdown
5. Artistic
6. Add-On Challenge

Team Freeskate - All five team members participate in this event. The Team Freeskate begins with one team member on the ice. Each skater performs their section of the freeskate program which must include 2 of the 10 required team elements. Like in a relay race, upon the conclusion of their section, the skater “hand offs” or transitions between themselves and the next skater. This type of transition must include some sort of synchronized skating maneuver. At the conclusion of the fifth and final skaters all five skaters are on the ice and join together for the ending of the program. A total of 65 team points are up for grabs in this event.

Jump Face-Off - Three members of each team compete head-to-head in the Jump Face-Off. The sequence of skaters alternates between the two teams.  The event consists of three different jumps that are attempted one jump at a time. The number of rotations for each jump is optional. The greater the number of rotations, the higher the base mark will be.  Each skater has the option to attempt a second jump.  Once a skater has entered second jump the mark of the first jump is discarded.  The first jump is the Axel. Second jump is a skater’s choice combination and the final jump is based upon a draw, prior to the match, of a Flip, Loop, or Lutz.  A total of 30 team points are up for grabs in this event.

Spin Face-Off - Three members of each team compete head-to-head in the Spin Face-Off. The sequence of skaters alternates between the two teams. The event consists of two different spins. The first spin is a skater’s choice flying spin and the second spin is a combination spin with up to two changes of foot and an unlimited number of positions. A total of 25 team points are up for grabs in this event.

Technical Showdown - Two members of each team compete in two different predefined program patterns and music. Each pattern contains jumps, moves and spins. Each skater may optionally add additional maneuvers within the patterns to increase the level of difficulty. A total of 40 team points are up for grabs in this event.

Artistic Interpretative - Two members of each team compete in the Artistic Interpretive event. Each skater is required to interpret a piece of music of their own choosing. The skaters are judged on their artistic interpretation of that music as well the development of a well-balanced composition, creativity, confidence with the musical pace, expression of the music’s temperament, variation of speed, and ice usage. A total of 60 team points are up for grabs in this event.

Add-On Challenge - Three members of each team compete head-to-head in the Add-On Challenge. This event is made up of six different elements and divided into 3 different segments, attempted in a specific order. The order of the elements are: Solo Jump, Flying Camel, Jump of choice from connecting steps, circular footwork, two Jump Combination and Blur Spin. The first skater determines the Solo jump to be attempted and performs the Flying Camel. Each element performing them with a minimal number or skating strokes. The second skater of the segment must duplicate or better the elements attempted by the first skater. The winner of the first segment will earn 5 team points.

Next, the first skater of the second group must decide the specifics of and then perform the next two elements. The new elements may only be attempted after first performing the opening set of two elements as done by the preceding set of skaters. The second skater from the visiting team must then perform all four elements. The winner of the second segment will earn 10 team points.

Finally, first skater of the third group must perform the first four elements, then defines and executes the last two elements. The skater must them perform all six elements. The winner of the third segment will earn 15 team points.

Sponsors