A problem for Olympic judges?

[niccia]

This story really hit home for me because I almost lost my own mum this way a couple months ago. I can only imagine what she is going through, and I think she is amazing to be able to perform under such circumstances. I am sure they will still judge her fairly.

 

[y2kitty]

I felt her score was generous on Tuesday, but not ridiculously so. BUT I thought it would be like this even if her mother had not died. She is skating in her home country and she won a medal at World''s last year so her reputation is good.

 

[meresal]

Yikes, they are being strict.... this could make things interesting... possibly

 

[JSM]

Date: 2/25/2010 4:32:51 PM
Author: icekid

Date: 2/25/2010 4:14:27 PM

Author: kama_s

Date: 2/25/2010 4:10:43 PM


Author: CDNinNYC

Date: 2/25/2010 3:54:19 PM


Author: Gailey


I didn't sI have yet to hear anyone specifically speculate about another performance that merited being placed ahead of her. IceKid, I saw what you wrote and I would be interested to hear (genuinely) who you think should have been placed ahead of Joannie and why.

I hope I'm not stepping on icekid's toes by speaking for her but I believe icekid thinks the judges correctly placed Joannie in 3rd, but that her score was inflated. icekid, apologies if I got it wrong.

Yup, that's what she said in the Olympics thread. Icekid, I responded to you there and not here, hope that's ok!

Yep, you are quite right re: my opinion. I think her 3rd place was well-deserved, but not her score. And actually, the 6.6 points above the 4th place skater is quite a significant margin in the short program. However, for that matter, I don't think Miki Ando should have been 4th. Hehe, I try (usually unsuccessfully) not to be annoyed about the inadequacies of judging in figure skating. Judges are human, which means they usually get it wrong

Hi icekid! For what it's worth, I'm also a former competitive figure skater, and I agree with you.

I'm not sure I'm 100% satisfied with the final results, but everyone in the final group skated wonderfully. I don't know if everyone's seen it yet, so I'll hold off commenting further.

Edit: Oops, just saw the other thread where obviously people know what happened!

 

[zhuzhu]

Since we have TWO former competitive skaters on this thread, I must ask them to share their opinions on the results from the MEN''s figure skating! Please tell!

 

[y2kitty]

Not a former competitive skater but I do keep up with the sport each year not just every 4 years. A few weeks before the Olympics Plushenko gave an interview criticizing judging and saying they can still make the skaters they want win. I think they were pissed, and put him in 2nd place, thought its not entirely undeserved as he and Evan are very similar.

 

[zhuzhu]

Date: 2/26/2010 7:47:29 AM
Author: y2kitty
Not a former competitive skater but I do keep up with the sport each year not just every 4 years. A few weeks before the Olympics Plushenko gave an interview criticizing judging and saying they can still make the skaters they want win. I think they were pissed, and put him in 2nd place, thought its not entirely undeserved as he and Evan are very similar.

It is definitely personal preference as in whose style "wins" (assuming both of them perform flawlessly). Plushenko is full of energy and somewhat uncontrolled. Evan is less creative in style and spirit, but is precise and strong.

Yuna Kim on the other hand, is such a unique and precious talen that is polished to shine like never seen before. Just look at her form you see every cell of her body is "in the game". With that said, I still think Oksana Baiul''s golden performance had the passion and maturity that Yuna can still work on.

Mao Asada is a very close second as she definitely has all the championship characteristics and more in her. It just that she seems a lot more "forced" on ice than Yuna and that can take away the beautiful flow of her performance.

Between 3rd and 4th place, I personally prefer the 4th place skater.....

 

[zhuzhu]

Just look at the lines....

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 2/28/2010 5:44:37 PM
Author: zhuzhu
Just look at the lines....

She was just amazing. though that pic makes me wince - I nearly threw my back out in high school doing something similar for cheerleading

I agree that Mao looks a bit more forced - Kim Yuna just looks so LIGHT on the ice, and makes it look so easy (even though it''s not). I really liked Mirai''s performance! I thought she did a great job and she''s so cute - I think she could be a force to be reckoned with at the next Olympics.

 

[icekid]

Date: 2/26/2010 1:31:33 AM
Author: zhuzhu
Since we have TWO former competitive skaters on this thread, I must ask them to share their opinions on the results from the MEN''s figure skating! Please tell!

I think it was fair for Evan to win. Plushie is INSANE to think he deserved to win, though. His skating is not as strong, and his jumps were completed, sure, but not WELL.

Admittedly I am a Johnny Weir fan, but I truly think he deserved to be on the podium. He has aesthetic ability that none of the other men can even come close to. Lambiel CAN be fabulous, but was not even close at this olympics. The Japanese skater was okay, but ehh. I think Johhny came into the games KNOWING that it was not even possible for him to make the podium, for various political reasons.

And that is my take on the men

zhuzhu- I am right there with you on the ladies, too. Yu Na was easily above the rest of the crowd. Mao was a solid 2nd, and for me, Nagasu edges Rochette but I had no expectation that the judges would be that bold

Being from the home country always seems to be an advantage, so I suspect this would have happened even without her mother''s tragic death.

 

[zhuzhu]

Date: 2/28/2010 7:10:11 PM
Author: icekid

Date: 2/26/2010 1:31:33 AM

Author: zhuzhu

Since we have TWO former competitive skaters on this thread, I must ask them to share their opinions on the results from the MEN''s figure skating! Please tell!

I think it was fair for Evan to win. Plushie is INSANE to think he deserved to win, though. His skating is not as strong, and his jumps were completed, sure, but not WELL.


Admittedly I am a Johnny Weir fan, but I truly think he deserved to be on the podium. He has aesthetic ability that none of the other men can even come close to. Lambiel CAN be fabulous, but was not even close at this olympics. The Japanese skater was okay, but ehh. I think Johhny came into the games KNOWING that it was not even possible for him to make the podium, for various political reasons.


And that is my take on the men

zhuzhu- I am right there with you on the ladies, too. Yu Na was easily above the rest of the crowd. Mao was a solid 2nd, and for me, Nagasu edges Rochette but I had no expectation that the judges would be that bold

Being from the home country always seems to be an advantage, so I suspect this would have happened even without her mother''s tragic death.

I so agree that Johnny Weir was the most expressive and artist skater of the men''s group. They claimed his program was not difficult enough, which I can''t judge on that argument because I don''t understand the technical judging system.

I am the number 1 fan of Lambiel because he is GORGEOUS in everyway possible!!!!

I felt so bad for Lambiel for skating so "tight" at both short and long programs. That is the nature of competition though, you can be fabulous but you only get one chance to prove it!! Lambile is still my no 1 ice prince no matter what....HAHAHAHA

 

[icekid]

zhuzhu- When Lambiel is on, I think he is the best man in the world! He has really been struggling lately though, unfortunately. He has the whole package; the jumps, the spins, the skating ability! He is fantastic (and darn good-looking

)

re: Johnny... I somewhat agree with what the commentators said. Johnny refuses to a large extent to do ugly moves to get himself more points. Did you notice how EVERY single woman did the exact same spiral sequence, just for the points? And it''s not even attractive. How boring and unfortunate. Johnny will not sell his art for that. However, he does not get the "component" scores that he deserves, either.

The figure skating commentators overall though, YUCK!! I cannot stand them anymore.

 

[zhuzhu]

He is so hot......

 

[zhuzhu]

Please bear with me as I obsess over Lambiel''s beauty...
ps: Mr. ZHUZHU, I promise I still love you the most.....

 

[JSM]

Date: 2/28/2010 7:48:17 PM
Author: icekid
zhuzhu- When Lambiel is on, I think he is the best man in the world! He has really been struggling lately though, unfortunately. He has the whole package; the jumps, the spins, the skating ability! He is fantastic (and darn good-looking

)


re: Johnny... I somewhat agree with what the commentators said. Johnny refuses to a large extent to do ugly moves to get himself more points. Did you notice how EVERY single woman did the exact same spiral sequence, just for the points? And it's not even attractive. How boring and unfortunate. Johnny will not sell his art for that. However, he does not get the 'component' scores that he deserves, either.


The figure skating commentators overall though, YUCK!! I cannot stand them anymore.

Agree with you again. And my husband (who never watched figure skating until he met me) commented that next time, he's putting the volume on mute just so he doesn't have to listen to the announcers. Sandra Bezic is extraordinarily hard to please, unless you are Kim YuNa (who did a great job, but 150? really??).

I was really impressed with Mirai Nagasu. With a bit more time to work on her footwork, she's going to be incredible (she already is!). I'm usually not a huge fan of Rachael Flatt's skating, but she did very very well and was underscored, IMO.

Evan deserved to win the men's competition, hands down. I would have put Weir 3rd or 4th. Lambiel is great normally, but didn't have his best game this time around.

I hate how a lot of the most beautiful positions are compromised due to the points system - just like icekid said. Even though Dick Button didn't do the 'play by play', I still heard his complaining in my head every time I saw a layback!



Edited to add: I don't keep up with the skating as much as I used to, I'm not an expert as I 'retired' from competitive skating before it was implemented.

 

[icekid]

jsm- Sounds like we''re sharing a skating brain

While Rachel Flatt seems like an absolute doll and is undeniably a hard worker, I just can''t get into her skating. She did well and was underscored, but the skaters who are ALL jump just don''t do it for me (Plushie!)

Hahaha re: Dick Button! Totally agree. And fortunately Mirai has a gorgeous layback. I prefer him to their current crew. My husband thinks I am ridiculous for yelling at the tv while watching figure skating

I''m impressed that you can get your hubby to watch with you! Mine complains the whole time grr.

 

[zhuzhu]

Many of you may be interested in seeing the broken-down results by "skill category" below. This is provided by IJS for the Olympic figure skating.

http://www.iceskatingintnl.com/current/content/Olympic%20Skills%20Comparison.htm