- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Let’s say a world champion skater does an average triple flip in her performance. Average, that is, in comparison with the top skaters in the world who are going for the world championship. It is still a lot better than an “average” triple flip by a skater who is hoping to get fourth at regionals and make it into the bottom half at Nationals.
By the same token an intermediate presenting a double flip would not have the same speed going in, the same sureness of technique, the same height and distance, the same flowing landing edge, as you would routinely expect of an elite senior. So they could earn those GOE bullets only relatively.
Would an “average for Miki Ando” flip deserve an automatic positive GOE, reserving the 0 GOE for “average for Average Annie?” Are judges generally expected to give objective marks that mean the same thing all up and down the skill scale?
It seems like this could happen even within a competition. If the first ten skaters all fall on their triple flips, and then someone – finally! – does an average one, the judges might give an extra little bonus just out of sheer relief.
By the same token an intermediate presenting a double flip would not have the same speed going in, the same sureness of technique, the same height and distance, the same flowing landing edge, as you would routinely expect of an elite senior. So they could earn those GOE bullets only relatively.
Would an “average for Miki Ando” flip deserve an automatic positive GOE, reserving the 0 GOE for “average for Average Annie?” Are judges generally expected to give objective marks that mean the same thing all up and down the skill scale?
It seems like this could happen even within a competition. If the first ten skaters all fall on their triple flips, and then someone – finally! – does an average one, the judges might give an extra little bonus just out of sheer relief.