- Joined
- Dec 29, 2004
I caught the America (American?) Cup this weekend and was struck by how different the judging changes in gymnastics and figure skating have affected each sport.
In gymnastics, the judging got way harsher and much more critical - demanding more and more but the athletes seem to keep up with the higher technical difficulty with much more ease than skating.
For example, in gymnastics a slight balance check can now knock you out of contention and the athlete response is to not have that check. They seem have made the switch without a lot of pain (injuries aside...)
Skating on the other hand seems to have lost its inherent "ohh... ahhh" factor that would result with a clean program. Skaters are doing more difficult tricks but the overall skating seems lacking.
Why is that? Does anyone have any insight or can direct me to an old post thread that can clarify this for me? I've been a skating fan for longer than a lady should be forced to admit in public, but I simply cannot "get" this current crop of skaters nor the hard core fans ability to sweep aside glaring lack of perfection on ice.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
In gymnastics, the judging got way harsher and much more critical - demanding more and more but the athletes seem to keep up with the higher technical difficulty with much more ease than skating.
For example, in gymnastics a slight balance check can now knock you out of contention and the athlete response is to not have that check. They seem have made the switch without a lot of pain (injuries aside...)
Skating on the other hand seems to have lost its inherent "ohh... ahhh" factor that would result with a clean program. Skaters are doing more difficult tricks but the overall skating seems lacking.
Why is that? Does anyone have any insight or can direct me to an old post thread that can clarify this for me? I've been a skating fan for longer than a lady should be forced to admit in public, but I simply cannot "get" this current crop of skaters nor the hard core fans ability to sweep aside glaring lack of perfection on ice.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!