Aerials also involves three separate components, all judged by a panel of five judges, according to NBC Olympics. For each of the three components, the highest and lowest scores are discarded, and the remaining three are added together and multiplied by the degree of difficulty factor to reach a final score for the jump.
- Form: 50 percent of the score (up to five points) is based on form, or what the athlete does while in the air. Maneuvers, balance, control, body position — all of these are considered when judging this segment. Form is judged by breaking down a skier's performance into individual maneuvers, then taking off deductions as necessary.
- Air: 20 percent of the score (up to two points) is for air — or the height, distance, and takeoff of the jump itself. Half of the score is based on the quality, power, and control of the takeoff, while the other half is for the height and distance traveled.
- Landing: 30 percent of the score (up to three points) is based on the landing. Judges award points for the landing according to a scale, which takes into account things like the skier's weight distribution and balance.
The Beijing Olympics will also feature a mixed team aerials event, in which each member of a mixed-gender team of three athletes will ski and have their points added up for a final team score.
