S
SkateFan4Life
Guest
IMHO, the United States Figure Skating Association needs to score next year's competitive programs in a manner that accurately reflects what happens on the ice. It seems to me that the USFSA has such a love affair with Michelle Kwan that even a mediocre (for her) performance receives high marks.
Case in point: 2004 US Nationals. Kwan finished her short program several seconds after the end of the music, and she was not marked down for that mistake. Yes, the judges marked her down when she stumbled on her double axel, but she also should have received deductions for skating past the time limit. When Kwan did the same thing at the 2004 Worlds short program - skating past the time limit - the judges nailed her. Kwan and her coach were dumbfounded. Duh. Perhaps they should all read the rule book.
Another case in point: 2005 US Nationals. Kwan made two mistakes in her long prgram - doubling the second planned triple lutz and finishing after the music had stopped. Even she knew she had not skated her best. What did the lamebrain judges do - award her with a slew of 6.0s. Give me a break. OK, this was probably the last competition Michelle will ever compete in with the old 6.0 judging system, but a 6.0 is supposed to mean "perfection". Clearly, her long program was not perfect. What kind of message does that send?
Please understand that I admire Michelle. She's a classy lady and a fantastic figure skater, but she needs to work within a system that fairly judges her. Don't overscore her and don't underscore her. Score her fairly!
IMHO, of course.
Case in point: 2004 US Nationals. Kwan finished her short program several seconds after the end of the music, and she was not marked down for that mistake. Yes, the judges marked her down when she stumbled on her double axel, but she also should have received deductions for skating past the time limit. When Kwan did the same thing at the 2004 Worlds short program - skating past the time limit - the judges nailed her. Kwan and her coach were dumbfounded. Duh. Perhaps they should all read the rule book.
Another case in point: 2005 US Nationals. Kwan made two mistakes in her long prgram - doubling the second planned triple lutz and finishing after the music had stopped. Even she knew she had not skated her best. What did the lamebrain judges do - award her with a slew of 6.0s. Give me a break. OK, this was probably the last competition Michelle will ever compete in with the old 6.0 judging system, but a 6.0 is supposed to mean "perfection". Clearly, her long program was not perfect. What kind of message does that send?
Please understand that I admire Michelle. She's a classy lady and a fantastic figure skater, but she needs to work within a system that fairly judges her. Don't overscore her and don't underscore her. Score her fairly!
IMHO, of course.