Just caught up with the ladies, busy weekend.
Frankly not surprised at the ridiculous scoring for Evegenia. Consider this panel of judges, where once again is heavily European favoured, no US, Japan, Korean Judges (although 1 in tech panel). The sport has become a gaming of GOEs and PCS more than what and how you actually did, so the makeup of the panel can really 'help' to determine the 'subtle and no subtle' biases. At least it is no longer 8/9 European judges majority like the past 5 years for the ladies. This time, they removed potential rival judges as well. ISU has been pushing for European champion since 2012, this is just a further agenda driven marking. The higher Kostner scores, the higher rest of Russian ladies can increase.
The non-European judges are from: Canada, China (non-factor), Israel (non-factor). Tech panel: Korea, Australia
European judges: Russia, Germany, Belgium, France, Latvia, Hungry. Techn panel: Ukraine. Refree: Switzerland
PCS ranking wise: I'd rank
1. Kostner (Amazing outing. Worthy of her brand. Well done)
2. Miyahara. (BBC was a bit shocked at the score)
3. Osmond (Probly has the best program, execution this time round not so much, otherwise I'd switch with Miyahara)
4. Medvedeva (Weak or little interpreting the music or care about it other movements for movement's sake. ridiculous miming and breathing big - 10. She is much better than Alina though and improving all the time. Her 'OAR' cheering squad was a public disgrace. Why are they screaming 'Zhenya Zhenya Zhenya' during Osmond's scoring? What a public embarrassment! Quite muted reaction from the BBC when her score is read out from Robin compares to the past. Fantastic performance, score not so fantastic.) That looks like a 70/71 skate to me, bear in mind many at the top should be lowered as well.
5. Choi (Terrific outing. Improving all the time in the presentation. Just need to work on speed.)
6. Tenniel (Very close to Choi, but I still find her a bit green, deserve great TES and PCS still need to work on. Honourable mention: She is the only one who bothered with a Korea program approach)
Some other thoughts:
Evegenia benefitted from Kolyada's massive failure. Judges want to ensure OAR still get ranked, ladies is their most secured event, so it prompt further motivation to reward scoring, or make biases justifiable.
I am a bit worried about Patrick and V/M. ISU tends to create a divide and conquer type of 'rewarding' system.
Patrick Chan will want to make up for the poor short skate, Virtue and Moir on the chase will want to prove themselves to be 'better' than France.
However if Canada wins the gold in teams, it would not help their individual medals.
The way it is looking:
France / Canada want the Dance
Russia want Ladies
China / Germany want Pairs
US / Japan want Men
ISU probably want to try to keep everyone happy. Minor federation, sorry you are just bridesmaids and guest in this 'pagentary ceremony'.
))
Glad the judges are hardcore about calling underrotations so far.
