1/18/2010 1:18:43 PM
rmd
Posts: 2
|
The 2nd and 3rd place results for the Sr Dance, most particularly the Free Dance, were devastatingly disappointing. Don't imagine it will have any effect but I have sent this letter (below) to Skate Canada:
Dear Madam/Sir,
Since I am not certain whether this is the correct address to which to send my comments, I would like to ask you to redirect this message as appropriate.
As you are no doubt aware, the results of the Senior Dance at the 2010 Canadian Figure Skating Championships surprised more than a few. Anyone who saw the performances of Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje and Vanessa Crone / Paul Poirier should have been surprised by the scores for the Free Dance awarded by the judges. It was very clear and obvious that Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje skated better than Vanessa Crone / Paul Poirier. Rewarding Vanessa Crone / Paul Poirier with a second place finish and a score which was significantly better than their personal best for the season stunned the audience, especially considering that Vanessa Crone / Paul Poirier opened the door for Kaitlyn and Andrew when Vanessa fell during a required element (a twizzle). The audience is not expert as the judges are but, at the same time, it is not stupid either. The reaction in response to the judging should give Skate Canada something to think about.
This kind of judging is simply appalling and represents nothing less than a disaster.
The judges largely ruined Tessa and Scott's performance for the audience because it was almost impossible to focus on them following the unfairness just witnessed. The score certainly would have felt like a kick in the teeth to Kaitlyn and Andrew. And it just as certainly would affect Vanessa and Paul who would know in their hearts that they were unfairly favored by the judges.
Furthermore, this kind of judging reflects very badly on Skate Canada and it tarnishes the sport of figure skating. It certainly sends the wrong message to young skaters that performance may not be acknowledged.
It is embarrassing to witness such a charade. Have the judges and Skate Canada not learned anything from the judging scandals of the past, particularly well exemplified by the case of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier?
The only reason for the judges' score, that comes to mind, is a pre-determined decision on who will represent Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in ice dance which had to be justified by the results, regardless of the skating. The latter certainly seems probable in light of the lengthy deliberation following Vanessa and Paul's performance.
As a skater myself and as a supporter of the sport of figure skating, I would like to register my complaint and extreme unhappiness with the judges for this event and hope that Skate Canada will address this matter in an appropriate manner.
Sincerely,
Ralph Daehn
|
|
permalink
|
1/22/2010 7:40:10 PM
fan1961
Posts: 1
|
Hello Ralph - I guess you have been a fan for a long time if you remember so emotionally the scandal from Salt Lake - but the new judging system fixed that... why don't you take the time to go onto the Skate Canada website and look at the details... Crone and Poirier were given the correct deduction on the twizzle sequence - just as Weaver and Poje were given the correct deduction for the error they made in the circular sequence.... similarly, Crone and Poirier were rewarded for their expression, and Weaver and Poje were not as they were "tight" and comparing their National performance to their performance at Skate Canada, - they were clearly nervous.
Also - although audience voting only counts in Battle of the Blades.... Crone and Poirier - according the the audience reaction, should have gotten a much higher mark on their OD... did you miss that - or perhaps you were sitting in WOS country.....
Given the lengthy deliberation following the performance - it would seem to me that time was taken to review video etc. to come to the "correct" outcome. It is insulting to Skate Canada and in fact all of the athletes - whether they are medallists, or Olympians, to suggest that the outcome is predetermined. However, if that is how you truly feel, how can you explain that Skate Canada wanted Crone & Poirier to come out ahead of Weaver and Poje if not for the fact that Skate Canada believes that ultimately Crone & Poirier are in fact better skaters.
Since you feel confident to post that "Vanessa and Paul ... would know in their hearts that they were unfairly favored by the judges", I feel equally confident to post that Kaitlyn and Andrew know in their hearts, that although they have improved greatly this season, they were not quite up to the task.
Good luck to Paul and Vanessa and Tessa and Scott and the rest of the Canadian Olympic team.
|
|
permalink
|
1/24/2010 5:51:26 PM
rmd
Posts: 2
|
fan1961 wrote:
Good luck to Paul and Vanessa and Tessa and Scott and the rest of the Canadian Olympic team.
Thank you for your opinion in response to mine. I would certainly join you in expressing best wishes to all the skaters who will represent Canada on the Olympic team.
Also I should add that I have nothing but admiration for all of our skaters who are not only top athletes but also performers and entertainers. We can be so very proud of them. Not just for their achievements but also their graciousness in victory and defeat.
|
|
permalink
|