National bias etc.

[donnamarie]

Doesn't it often seem that the Russian skaters usually do well at Cup of Russia, the American skaters at Skate America, the Canadians at Skate Canada, the Japanese (lately) at NHK, etc.? Could some of this be national bias, or is it the effect of playing at home? Or is it because there tend to be a preponderance of Russian contestants at Cup of Russia, a preponderance of Americans at Skate America, etc.?

Another thing I wondered about, after watching Cup of Russia and seeing VV beat Sasha - when I honestly do think that Sasha should have won - I am wondering now about this "random selection" of the judges. How do we really know that the judges are chosen at random? I mean, are there any witnesses to this procedure of selecting the judges? Or do we have to take the officials' word for it that the judges (the ones whose scores count, I mean) were chosen at random? I wonder how this is actually done, and if there are any checks in place to assure honesty. Also, who knows which judges were counted and which were not? There's so much about the new system that seems cloaked in mystery.

[duane]

i've always believed that National bias exists in competitions, and not just those that occur in Russia. heck, i thought it occured at SLC.

i remember years back when maria made what many considered as "rude comments" about michelle. i think it was before a skate america competition, and when asked what advantages michelle had as a skater, maria said something along the line that michelle is an american, who will be competing in america. i think she even said something along the line that michelle would lose the advantage if she competed in russia. i thought many took maria's comments the wrong way. i think maria was acknowledging that national bias exists on both sides.

i must say that i too question this supposed "random" selection of the judges, especially after COR. i mean, the results just turned out too perfectly for irina in the SP, and for volchkova in the LP. of course, i have no proof of my suspicious feelings, but i still have them.

[donnamarie]

Duane, I admit that I have these suspicious feelings about the random selection of the judges now too, since COR. Can't help but wonder.

[PAskate]

While judging certainly has some part of this, I think that part of the puzzle is that the skaters gain an edge from the audience in their own country. It's just like the home field advantage in other sports. That has to play into the judges' minds especially on the artistic mark. Part of artistry is audience involvement and appreciation. Certainly the audience responds quicker and with more energy to their own favorites. Call it a judging bias if you will, but I think that in skating, there is a home rink advantage thanks to the audience.