How Important is the Caller?

[Joesitz (RIP)]

As far as I can tell, the names of the referee, technical controller, technical special ("caller") and assistant technical specialist have not been announced yet.

The judges draw by nationality was done last month. Here are the results (scroll down to page 3):

http://www.isu.org/vsite/vfile/page/fileurl/0,11040,4844-171357-188575-98972-0-file,00.pdf

The national federations of the countries selected will submit the names of the judges to the ISU. I don't think this selection has been annouced yet.

MM

What does it mean that there is a drawing before each segment. Does it mean that there could be different judges for the SP and Free Skate?

Joe

 

[Mathman]

Hmm. Good question. I think it does mean that.

They are talking about the random elimination of three of the twelve sitting judges' marks. So although the same twelve judges will be sitting there for both the short and the long programs, the nine who will count could be different.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Hmm. Good question. I think it does mean that.

They are talking about the random elimination of three of the twelve sitting judges' marks. So although the same twelve judges will be sitting there for both the short and the long programs, the nine who will count could be different.

Seems logical. Although the deleted scorers should not be known, I think after the SP when scores are known, the deleted judges will know that their scores didn't count.

So, as tacky as I am, if we get 3 culturally associated judges eliminated in the SP, they could be back quite possibly in the Free. Am I corect?

Joe

 

[Mathman]

True, but it could work the other way, too. The gang of three might get to judge the short, but then be eliminated for the long.

In the long run, I think this is probably the right way to do it. If there is some kind of cultural bloc operating, although it mght skew the results in one segment there is at least a chance that it will balance out in the end.

MM

 

[Rgirl]

I think the Caller may have decided the outcome of a GP event. Does that help?

Rgirl

 

[Ptichka]

So the question becomes -- do we want more centralized power in the sport, or do we want to continue the federal model?

In a word - Yes. I think the federal model is fast becoming outdated. I would support ISU hiring and paying judges to serve at the major events. Sure, you'll still have the cultural bias, but at least a judge won't loose their job for voting a certain way.

On a different subject, but also to answer MM's question, I would favor a centralized system that would allow ISU to negotiate contracts directly with the seeded skaters as opposed to going through the federations. This could help both the sport and the skaters.

 

[Rgirl]

In a word - Yes. I think the federal model is fast becoming outdated. I would support ISU hiring and paying judges to serve at the major events. Sure, you'll still have the cultural bias, but at least a judge won't loose their job for voting a certain way.

On a different subject, but also to answer MM's question, I would favor a centralized system that would allow ISU to negotiate contracts directly with the seeded skaters as opposed to going through the federations. This could help both the sport and the skaters.

Brilliant. ITA!

Rgirl

 

[Mathman]

In a word - Yes. I think the federal model is fast becoming outdated. I would support ISU hiring and paying judges to serve at the major events. Sure, you'll still have the cultural bias, but at least a judge won't loose their job for voting a certain way.

On a different subject, but also to answer MM's question, I would favor a centralized system that would allow ISU to negotiate contracts directly with the seeded skaters as opposed to going through the federations. This could help both the sport and the skaters.

I have no doubt that something like this is in Cinquanta's long-term plans.

Still, it would be quite a coup if could he could pull it off. He would have to convince a majority (maybe two-thirds) of the National Federations voluntarily to relinquish their own power within the ISU.

MM

 

[mzheng]

IMO? We have a disaster just waiting to happen.

Nop. The things are in the making to be legimated by the time Olympics around. I agree whoever said the caller is very critical. Read this for some of examples the levels of some top skaters are mystery downgraded.

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showpost.php?p=692998&postcount=59

 

[mzheng]

I think the Caller may have decided the outcome of a GP event.

My thought as well.