This better not happen again in the Men's singles

[macrae1234]

Anyone else surprised by his scores?
Evgeni Plushenko's scores raise questions about judging
Christine Brennan, USA TODAY Sports 3:16 p.m. EST February 10, 2014

Former U.S. figure skating coach was stunned by Plushenko's score Sunday
Plushenko received the highest score of the five men that skated

Former U.S. Olympic figure skating coach Audrey Weisiger watched Russian veteran Evgeni Plushenko skate Sunday on the live stream on her iPad in the Washington, D.C., suburbs. Then she took a good look at his program component scores, the points that skaters are given for their skating skills, transitions, choreography and the like.

Although she has been in her sport for 50 years, and has seen it all over and over again, she still couldn't believe her eyes. Plushenko, who spent a fair amount of time standing still (to catch his breath), preening and playing to the crowd — rather than doing the intricate transitions and footwork that are expected and required in a top-notch program — had received the highest scores of all five skaters in the men's team long program.

She noticed his scores for choreography in particular: an average of 8.79 out of 10, which is quite high, bordering on the judging system's definition of "outstanding."

And then she went to Facebook.

"I need to rethink my choreography if that was the best score in choreography," she wrote.

She's not alone. At least two other people at a high level inside figure skating, who spoke with USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the topic, were surprised by the high component scores given to Plushenko, a terrific jumper who, at 31, with a history of back issues, won his second Olympic gold medal Sunday night and fourth Olympic medal overall.

Whether he was surprised by his component scores is unknown, but it's likely those scores encouraged him to make the decision Monday to not withdraw from the men's event this week. He had complained about back pain Sunday night and said he planned to consult his doctor.

If he were to get those high marks again for artistry in a men's field packed with talented competitors — as opposed to the B-list skaters he mostly went up against in the team final — and perhaps be in the mix for the medals in the men's competition, it would be a stunning turn of events, and a highly controversial one.


"I have the utmost respect for him," Weisiger, who has coached skaters from 20 different countries, said in a phone interview Monday. "How the heck did he go out there at his age and do that? And he didn't judge himself.


Evgeni Plushenko blows kisses at the end of his free skate in team competition at the Sochi Olympics.(Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)


"But for him to get the highest score in interpretation and choreography, it's insulting to me for those who have choreographed according to the component criteria."

[SpacemanSpiff]

Therein lies the problem with any Olympic sport that involves judging -- be it ice skating, gymnastics, or boxing. Some of it might be cultural differences/preferences, and some of it you want to just say the judges were on the take.

Some commentators actually call out TPTB for it -- and get sent home by the federations in question (re: Teddy Atlas from the London games).

Not sure how it gets repaired, though.

[silvercamaro]

Where are Men's Pairs in figure skating? (There is a men's pairs event in rowing, though.)

[a1mamacat]

Where are Men's Pairs in figure skating? (There is a men's pairs event in rowing, though.)

Think "Blades of Glory"

LOL

I wish they would show each judge's marks, like they use to do, so you know who was "out of touch with reality"

[Bob Juch]

Where are Men's Pairs in figure skating? (There is a men's pairs event in rowing, though.)

In the hotel rooms.

[silvercamaro]

Where are Men's Pairs in figure skating? (There is a men's pairs event in rowing, though.)

Think "Blades of Glory"

LOL

I wish they would show each judge's marks, like they use to do, so you know who was "out of touch with reality"

Thanks, Saucy. Wish I would have thought of that. I was entertaining a fantasy in which male figure skaters from around the globe whipped up a brand new event to poke a figurative finger in Putin's eye.

[macrae1234]

Let us not forget the 2 man luge.

[geoffil]

What a surprise that the Russians are overscored in every skating event. Plus, who really thinks Julia is 15 years old? I think she is more like 13.

[elwoodblues]

How much longer do we have to pretend figure skating is a sport?

[BackInTex]

How much longer do we have to pretend figure skating is a sport?

I've never pretended. I like watching it. It is entertaining. It takes athleticism. But it is not a sport. Neither is "slope style" or any snow boarding thing.

Downhill racing. Now THAT's a sport. Man, mountain, clock. That's all you need.

[SpacemanSpiff]

How much longer do we have to pretend figure skating is a sport?

It is a sport.

It's called "How-many-eyeballs-will-watch-something-that-happened-13-hours-ago".

[SpacemanSpiff]

Spoiler alert

Spoiler

Looks like his back just caught up with him -- Plushenko's back went out during warmups of the short program, and withdrew from the Men's contest.

EDIT:

Spoiler

a whole lot of these guys are hitting the floor today. Must be something in the ice.