SURREAL

As with any competition Kimmie is involved in, I usually don’t watch until after I’ve read about the results; or I can fast forward my “Tivo” to the scores to see her standings. Then I decide how to watch that particular event. But this competition was unusual, I had no choice but to endure the anticipation of being in the crowd; part of it. However, it was still too nerve wrecking to watch.

Kimmie was the last to skate. Once she had performed, she sat patiently awaiting her scores. However, her body language spelled anticipation; meanwhile, the commentators, while the viewers and the audience were on an edge, felt compelled to comment on Kimmie’s past performances, from the good ones to her recent “disasters.” Soon everyone stood, wondering what was taking so long; I heard some people say that they were tabulating the scores, while others said they were counting her jumps. This part alone should have told me something was strange because this is not the norm.

A reporter came to the crowd speaking on behalf of Kimmie, proudly saying how he knew she had it in her, when another one of Kimmie’s fans pulled out a recent article written by this fellow discrediting Kimmie. Anticipation had kept me from watching Kimmie’s actual performance. It meant too much. However, my gut reaction was that she had won! I started to dance around, some people chanted with me, others clapped. While some glared. The scores had not come out yet. However, there was this feeling in me that she had won! After all she is a winner!

Soon after the party had simmered down, there was a disquiet in the large arena; Kimmie was being interviewed. She had regained her "World Title." It was exhilirating!

THE INSIDE EDGE

It's Never a Dull Moment

Figure skating is probably one of the healthiest forms of exercise. It is never too late to start figure skating. As a skater, you learn self-discipline, close attention to detail and the importance of practice. Even if you have never skated, and if skating is a goal you would like to achieve, getting out there and taking some lessons can bring you to the point where you can make it around the rink without falling. Who knows, you may even think of competing one day! The ISU has an Adult Track in which "we" can compete as "elite" skaters do. As an adult skater you can compete at Nationhals, and Worlds.

Skating involves the use of three primary joints: knees, ankles and hips with assistance from the arms and shoulders. Muscles and tendons support provide stability to your joints. A skater needs to strengthen all of their lower body muscles in order to support the multi-joint movements of the knee, ankle and hips in skating. Muscle flexibility parallels the importance of muscle strength. This can be achieved through strength and conditioning training. If you ever want to become serious, then you should get involve in Off-Ice training which can be a combination of strength training, Yoga, Pilates, (and Ballet).

Figure Skating is another way to keep active and fit. Grace belies its difficulty. Just imagine yourself being able to create art on the ice, your self-confidence will skyrocket; and so will your self-esteem. Adult skaters also enjoy acquiring new skills and the challenge of improving their performance. You can burn about 250 or more calories in 30 minutes of figure skating depending on your weight. During figure skating you are using a number of muscle groups : abs, calves, glutes, hamstrings and quadriceps.

Figure skating can improve your mental health as well; when you are on the ice there is this sens of freedom. I know with some of the exercises my coach does with me on the ice, it feels as if a child frolicking in the park; being on the ice is relaxing. You can feel like a kid again.

Another upside of adult figure skating is the social aspect. The camaraderie is exhilirating. Not only your social circle multiplies, you get to meet other adults who enjoy and share your passion for the sport. It is a different world. You can never bore anyone about the latest news in skating. Everyone is on the same page; regardless of who their favorite skater is.


Before you go on the ice to skate, warm up your muscles and stretch them. This can go a long way to prevention injury

On The Edge

Figure Skating's Big BooBoo

According to Philip Hersh Chicago Tribune Reporter (February 15, 2008) The United States Figure Skating Championships will make a historic schedule change for 2010; that is, Figure skating championships will spread over 9 days, 2 weekends in 2010 as opposed to the five days and one weekend which is the current schedule.

For a sport that is losing widespread appeal to viewers, such decision would be an equally unwelcome one to the fans; despite Mr. Raith’s assurance that it would only occur during the Olympic season. First they did away with the 6.0 system, and now this. While I have to agree the new system (Code of Points)is fair to the athletes; however, it has robbed the sport of its artistry. This Code Of Point, which athletes have to cram as many elements in a program as they can ( jumps, -the more revolution the better-- spirals, spins, footwork) to accumulate points is supposed to discourage judges from cheating. The possibility still exists.

The ISU's objective to totally turn off the fans is working. Not only has it become impossible for a lay person to observe the sport, this decision will make it almost impossible for even some fans with limited vacation time to attend.

Despite the drops in TV ratings and attendance at some events, The 2002 Skate America competition, held in Spokane, Wash., set an attendance record with a total 28,664 people at the four-day event. (3/24/2003 Vicki Michaelis USA TODAY )

That is absurd! It is expensive enough to travel for Senior Nationals to see it all of the events in four days. The number of fans who are willing and able to do that is lessening. Now fans will either have to choose between a Ladies and Men's weekend or dance or pairs which do not draw crowds, as in the singles events. The travel and accommodations’ expenses will be a burden to the arduous fan. I find this thought perturbing. Figure skating's survival worldwide depends on the fans’ interests. This is a truly stupid stupid plan. Some people can only get a certain amount of vacation per year. While this new agenda may not affect a great amount of people, by the same token others will affected tremendously. Skating is very important. I can wager my figure skating boots that no one would even think of tinkering with football!

Before arbitrarily drawing to a conclusion, USFS and NBC really should have surveyed the fans’ opinion prior to launching such plan. Those people really have no clue. This is the final straw. The end is near!

NUTRITION MATTERS

Nutrition affects performance and Training

Figure skating is a sport that requires both body form and physical endurance, yet many female athletes have diets that are low in energy and nutrients. To meet the nutritional needs of physical activity and health, an athlete's training diet should provide at least 55-60% of total energy from carbohydrate, 12 to 15% from protein, and 25 to 30% from fat. It is important to have healthy eating habits and proper nutrition for optimal growth, development, and performance.
Nutrition is a very important aspect in becoming a well-rounded figure skater. Skaters need lots of carbohydrates, for optimal energy. It's not necessarily good for a skater to be on in any diet. As long as there isn't an abuse of fatty foods. It is better not to eat fried foods.

Nutrition & the Figure Skater

To be successful in ladies' freestyle skating, a skater needs to be able to do triple jumps. Obviously, it is a lot easier to do those moves if you are smaller. This is difficult; however, because if a skater loses too much weight, they will lose muscle, and therefore they are not as strong. The legs which are supposed to look the best on the ice may not have enough stamina to launch the skater high enough into the air! It becomes frustrating.

A typical breakfast for a figure skater should consist of cereal and milk and a piece of fruit, followed with a lot of small meals all day. Any athlete --skaters, or otherwise, for instance --who is practicing two or three hours a day may require 4,000 calories, while a non athlete may not need half that many. An athlete who is active burns up the calories really quickly.
The objective is getting enough to eat, You need vitamins, and if you don't get enough calcium for instance, there is chance of stress fractures and slower healing of bones. With low calorie intakes, iron and zinc are particularly low. The skaters feel sluggish and have lower aerobic capacity. They are more prone to injury. There is no need to deprive yourself.

Figure skaters and other athletes should replenish calories after performing or practicing, wether they feel like eating. Spacing meals is important, as well. If an athlete starts to tire out midway through a game or competition, it's probably due to little nnutrition.

Nutrition and physical training are connected.In order to maintain optimal hydration status and the onset of fatigue,The athelete must be properly fueled; and this will enable him/her to train longer. Also, although the stress of exercise training stimulates physiological improvement, adaptations to physical stress actually occur in the recovery period following the exercise sessions. Satisfying an athlete's needs for refueling, and rest are essential components of the recovery process.

The BYOP of Figure Skating

The Importance of Off-Ice Training


Ballet: provides strength, balance and extension.
Yoga: teaches body awareness the mind-body connection.
Off-ice Training: will decrease risk of injury.
Pillates: increases both strength and flexibility


Skating has its own unique physical requirements. In order to perform all skating elements, skaters need to be well prepared both physically and technically. Certain off-ice training methods will transfer themselves on-ice to produce a better athlete. While other training methods have very little value to the skater, it is well to relate an off-ice conditioning to the individual skater and the demands of the sport. Off-ice Training improves flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning strength, power and endurance; it increases stroking speed and power and improves posture and body positioning on the ice as well.

Ballet, Yoga, Off-ice Training, and Pilates are required tools for anyone who is serious about Figure skating wether you are an adult or a youngster. Pilates, Yoga and ballet use floor exercises to increase body awareness, centering on core strength. These techniques will greatly improve overall athlete performance and bring them to the next level of sport performance. Ballet and Yoga are not only used to create graceful skaters, but also to avoid injuries. A ballet class can be very helpful. These exercises help teach skaters the importance of posture, technique and expression in their skating and assists them with things as: breaking the habit of looking at their feet, and things such as how to find their shoulders, hips, and feet in a vertical line; an important aspect to skating.
Pilates is an excellent tool for the skater as well. Breath, focus, alignment, abdominal and pelvic controls are a few of the techniques that are unique to

Pilates. Pilates not only strengthens the muscles but stretches at the same time, resulting in long lean muscles. Off ice conditioning including ballet provide figure skaters with that

Figure skating is a captivating sport that integrates showmanship. It can be developed at almost any age for recreational enjoyment, career opportunity, or competitive fulfillment. The figure skating student develops coordination, balance, rhythm, endurance, confidence, and self-expression. Mastering skills through lessons, practice and a complete off ice training routine generates an astute sense of responsibility and self-discipline. Combining specific training programs and techniques will greatly improve overall athlete performance and bring them to the next level of sport performance.

WANTED . . .

Bring Back the 6.0 System

In 2004, the International Skating Union voted to completely change the way skating is scored, abandoning the traditional 6.0 ordinal systems for a new system called the "Code of Points.” (COP) The idea is that in the Code of Points system, every aspect of the skating is marked individually.

Under the old system, 14 judges gave a skater a single score of up to 6.0 for a program’s technical elements. The COP system, nine judges give a score; however, only the scores from seven of them would count. A computer system would randomly select the seven marks so the judges wouldn't know beforehand whose scores would be used. This new format grants a score for each major move — jumps, spirals, steps, spins. This adds a level of quality to a sport often critiqued for its much subjective scoring. Skaters would get points for those required elements, as well as for execution. All of the judges' scores would be added up and the winner would be determined by the total points.

As a result of this new system, I find that the programs have been standardized. The majority of the programs look the same, with the same step sequences, the same spins, and similar jumps. All of those rules leave no room for creativity. There isn’t much room for choreography.

It's All About Points

The skaters’ objective now is to count how long they have hold a position in a spiral sequence, or how many turns they execute in each position in a spin. This format is much too technical. There is little room for creativity, the emphasis is on analyzing and count which element to execute or to omit in order to accumulate the most points. The skater's goal is to cram as many of elements as possible into a performance without having to collapse into a bout of fatigue. There was nothing wrong with the 6.0 system, just wrong judges.

This is what Sandra Bezic had to say during Emily Hughes' free skate (Skate America 2007); and her views are in total accordance with the above thought:

"The skaters have so much to think about. They have to count for points as they are skating, along with thinking about techniques and performance" Sandra Bezic (Skate America 2007)

We are no longer seeing the skaters’ passion, the skaters’ joy during their performances; we are only seeing skaters struggling to get to the end of overly exhaustive programs; programs are filled up with jumps, jump combinations and sequences, one after the other, and transitions, that are usually slow due to the number of elements that are required. As a result, these artists/athletes are forced to complete all these difficult elements in order to obtain the highest points; however; the quality of skating is suffering; with little room left for the choreography.

Figure skating is no longer an art, nor is it enjoyable to watch unless you are a “fanatic.” I miss those days when skaters could actually skate with flair, as they insert a jump wether it is a triple or quad with just magnificent steps sequences attached to it. However, despite their speed, they had elegance; they floated on the ice; they caressed the ice, and with that they had ability to convey great artistic talent. They became one with ice, one with the audience. We need balance. The old system had balance.

The following quote supports this view"

"It's no longer a free skate. There's so many mandatory things you have to put in the program if you want to be competitive." Scott Hamillton Skate Amrica 2007

Biased Judging

Subjective judging system has long been criticized because it leaves room for improprieties. Skaters can be marked down simply for the aesthetics of their programs. It is true that the new scoring system properly rewards the skaters for what jumps and moves they do on the ice — rather than the old days of the judges voting — but the numbers need to be synthesized back into a 6.0.

According to the ISU the randomness and secrecy are necessary to prevent any accountability of the judges to the public. The Code of Points clearly, makes it harder for the public to really identify instances of cheating or block judging. Judges can still cheat if they want to. The applicable rules -- particularly USFS Rule 3435 -- are vague enough to allow several interpretations of what formula could be applied to make the calculations. That is another way in which the complexity of the sport's new scoring system, is not perfect. The problem is, there will still be self-centered judges making "back room" deals. People are people. Different judging system, same old judges. As far as I can see the judges will still be able to do this under the COP or any system by manipulating "Program Component" marks to make the final point totals work out the way they want them to. There is nothing in the system itself that prevents judges from manipulating their marks deliberately . The new system favors younger, springier prepubescent skaters. The beauty and artistry of the sport have been destroyed.

Recognizing Freestyle Elements

This short guide will help you to recognize the spins and jumps of freestyle. Jumps

Axel

An Axel jump has an extra 1/2 rotation in the air due to its forward take-off. For a jump with counterclockwise rotation, it has a takeoff from the left forward outside edge and a landing on the right back outside edge; In a triple axel, the most difficult jump in figure skating the skater takes off on a forward outside edge, turn in the air three and a half times, and land on the opposite foot.

Loop

The skater jumps off from and lands on the same foot. This is an edge jump; that is, the skater does not use a toepick to assist in the takeoff, the skater uses the outside edge to lift into the jump. The skater will take off from and land in a backwards-moving position.

Salchow

takes off from a LeftBackInside edge, turns a full revolution, and lands on the RightBackOutside edge. It is most commonly entered from backwards crossovers with a step-forward onto a LeftForwardOutside edge. The skater then does an LeftForwardOutside 3-turn so that he is skating on a LeftBackInside edge. At this point, the skater usually executes a strong “check” for stability, with the right arm extended behind and the left arm extended forward. The free leg (right leg) is held in the air, behind and to the right of the skater. The skater swings the free leg and arm forward, initiating a spinning action, and leaps into the air. The jump is sometimes entered from an RightForwardInside-mohawk (which places the skater directly onto an LBI edge).



Toe Loop

In this jump, the skater will use the toe pick on one foot to lift into the jump, landing on the opposite foot. Most skaters perform the triple toe loop by picking in with the left foot, rotating in a counter-clockwise direction for three revolutions, and landing on the right foot. However,the vast majority of figure skaters rotate in a counter-clockwise direction for jumps and spins.

Flip

Another toe-assisted jump. The skater will use his/her toe pick to push into the three turn to start the jump entrance. The three turn that is performed is called an outside three turn because the three turn starts on the outside edge going forwards and ends on the inside edge going backwards. The jump then leaves off an inside edge.

Lutz

The lutz is similar to the flip jump, with one exception: the skater's foot leaves the ice off an outside edge. You can recognize a lutz by the common entrance: the skater glides backwards for a relatively long time, and then the skating foot leans to an outside edge immediately before the opposite foot picks into the ice to launch the jump. The lutz is a difficult toe-assisted jump because of this outside edge requirement. If you hear the commentator say the jump was a flutz, that means the skater leaned to an inside edge at takeoff, like the flip.



pins

All spins rotate in one direction, most skaters rotate counter-clockwise; for these skaters, forward spins are performed on the left foot while backspins are performed on their right.

Scratch

This is the common upright spin in which the skater wraps one leg around the other, gaining terrific speed. A very fast scratch spin--where you can nearly see the front and back of the skater's head at the same time--is called a blur spin. Dorothy Hamill is famous for these.

Sit

Skater is in a sitting position. The most impressive sit spin is when the skater is in a very low position with the free leg parallel to the ice. This is called a shoot the duck position. When the skater drops his/her head to touch the knee in this position, it is called a cannonball. Other variations of the sit spin include placing the free leg ontop of the knee of the skating leg and the half si? where the skater has a very bent knee but is not in the traditional low position of a sit spin. In the half sit the arms are typically held outstretched to each side instead of together and down in the regular sit.

Camel

In this spin, the skater's body resembles the capital letter T. The body and free leg are held parallel to the ice. The flying camel is when the skater jumps into a backwards camel spin.


Layback

The layback is when the skater has a graceful arch of the back and free leg bent and lifted nearly parallel to the ice.


Beilman

Named after Denise Beilman, the first woman to perform this spin. It requires great flexibility. A skater will typically transition into this spin from a modified camel position, grabbing the free foot with one hand to raise it behind the head. Then the skater grabs onto the skate with both hands and lifts the foot so it is above the head. The back is extremely arched during this spin.

Death Drop

A flying spin in which the skater jumps into a back sitspin. Other Elements


Spiral

Move in which the free leg is held behind the skater. The free leg is typically held very high in the spiral. This move requires tremendous strength and control as the skater transfers the spiral from traveling on an inside edge to an outside edge.

Charlotte

Skater glides backwards on one foot and lifts the free foot to a split position, bowing the head down to nearly touch the knee.

Spread Eagle

Skater glides in a straight line on two feet, toes pointed out in opposite directions. The skater can lean back for an outside spread eagle or forward for an inside one.


Ina Bauer

Similar to a spread eagle, but one leg is usually deeply bent in the front of the skater while the back leg is stretched out into a modified lunge. Almost exclusively performed by women, an arched back is key to a graceful Ina Bauer.

Push Dick's Button Vs. The Truth Booth

The truth booth, based on a feature in some reality shows, is a place where the skaters talked about their performances. With no one to ask questions, the skaters just rambled on. This technique allowed Johnny Weir, Kimmie Meissner and others to make comments about how they view their program that particular evening. On the other hand, on NBC's USA Network, during the Winter Games 2006, the network had introduced a segment called "Push Dick's Button." Mr. Button gets a nightly e-mail question and the answer session occured during the competition. Some previously selected key questions were answered. I find the "push Dick Button" session very informative. The viewers did obtained some good information; as opposed to the truth booth session.

Dick Button was underused and misused during the U.S Champioships. I would have loved it if they had him do a push Dick's button series with viewers asking questions as he discusses hot topics in skating for instance the scoring system; and how he finds it "constipated, and contrived". Dick's comments and suggestions have always been very helpful to the athletes as well as the viewers.

Over the years, the elite skaters have always paid attention to Mr. Button's constructive criticisms. They have used his comments as a guide to make corrections on elements that needed to be refined. I recalled one of the comments that Dick had made about Kimmie Meissner and the use of her arms in which the pundit had mentioned that she imagined or picture a big beach ball as she skated backwards since she had her arms going in all directions; and Kimmie had taken heed and had apparently fine-tuned and as result the problem was fixed. The elite skaters are keen to his observations; and as if he is "E F Hutton", they listen. Once he makes a recommendation, it is followed.

NBC's "truth booth" was stupid and a waste of time. It was a flop. We are calling for the return of "push Dick Button". NBC should lose lose the Truth Booth all together. As far as the truth booth, it appeared that most of the skaters didn't know what to say or felt it was silly. It was interesting to hear what their thoughts were however. A montage format of the truth booth would have worked well I'd say.

UP COMING EVENTS 2008

February 4-10: Four Continents Championships in Goyang, South Korea.
February 20-23: U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships hosted by the Colonial FSC, in Providence, Rhode Island.
February 25-March 2: World Junior Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.
March 8-9: Eastern Adult Sectional Championships hosted by the North Jersey FCS, in Westwood, New Jersey. The top four get to compete in the championship masters and championship gold events.
March 8-9: Midwestern Adult Sectional Championships hosted by the Ann Arbor FSC, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The top four get to compete in the championship masters and championship gold events.
March 8-9: Pacific Coast Adult Sectional Championships hosted by the Oregon Skating Council, Sherwood, Oregon. The top four get to compete in the championship masters and championship gold events.
March 17-23: World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.
March 28-30: World Synchronized Skating Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
April 8-12: U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships hosted by the Olympic Regional Development Authority, in Lake Placid, New York.

MEISSNER LANDS A NEW COACH

Kimmie Edges Out Pam.

Callaghan is an excellent coach. He is renowned. Kimmie has grown a lot; both physically and athletically ; the time has come for a change in her career. Pam did bring her to the point at which she is right now; however, a plateau has been reached. And, Callaghan is the one to get her over that hump. She has found the right team inn Eldridge and Callaghan.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I am sure we will see a growth in Kimmie that we will appreciate. Wether she makes the podium at worlds’ or not (I am quite sure that is the goal), I am positive that Miss Meissner's performances will definitely improve. In turn she will make herself and America proud. The noise makers will sound once again; the horses will be stationed in front of their chariots, the confetti will be shredded, the instruments will be oiled; the crowd will be ready grinning ear-to-ear awaiting as they rubbed both hands together in anticipation of the fallen star of figure skating who has made a comeback .

Seeing the kind of never ending humility this young lady possesses; she will not chide at the naysayers who had been pessimistic when the chips were down; she’d probably say... “I was determine to prove to myself I can do it because the adversities provided me with the determination to push my self further in order to reach my goals.”

Worlds are rapidly approaching and we may see a more polished Kimmie will be the following season. I am positive that the American teams, especially the women, will deliver, and we won't be disappointed. And, our three spots will be secured for next year's team; it will definitely include Kimmie if her decision is to be on that team.”

Callaghan is an excellent coach. Kimmie is a hard worker. The change might be what she needs. Change for good is good. It worked well for Johnny Weir. Kimmie is conscientious and responsible. She does not pass the buck; she recognizes her mistakes. She works diligently.

Different skaters have used different coaches in the past in order to broaden their exposure. Brian Boitano has always worked with a different coach in the summers off seasons in order to broaden his skills. Sometimes a different coach with different methods can be what a skater needs to improve in the areas in which they are lacking.

Callahan is a jump specialist he is definitely what Kimmie needs. He should be able to help. He is a no-nonsense coach, a technical specialist, who has coached Lipinski to gold at the Nagano Olympics. It goes without saying that something is definitely wrong. Kimmie is not getting the height on her jumps and has lost confidence in them. Part of the problem may that her body is changing and with it her center of gravity. Kimmie needs to regain her balance. She may just need time to adjust; or maybe she needs to talk to a sports psychologist. She can't leave any stone unturned. Coach Callahan has come to the rescue, and he should be able to address most of the issues. The rest is up to Kimmie!

KIMMIE MEISSNER NEEDS A CHANGE

The Problem

The fact is: Kimmie is not getting the height on her jumps; part of the problem could be due to the fact that her body is changing and with it her center of gravity. It had happened to Michelle Kwan and it took her many months to regain her balance. It had happened to Dorothy Hamill, but the timing was such--and the coverage not as intense--so that it passed unnoticed. And they were not hounded as much by the press.

Another fact is that Kimmie has had a number of not so great performances. Her scores since winning worlds in 2006 have plummeted at each competition. Maybe she needs a new coach (that is not to discredit Pam Gregory); or a new choreographer. Maybe she just needs time to adjust. I'd say she definitely needs to talk to a sports psychologist. The Kimmie I saw who stood in front of the audience prior to performing her long program at Nationals was not the usual confident young lady I know, admire, cherish, and have been inspired by.

The Solution

In order to make the 2010 Olympic team, dropping from champion to seventh place, Kimmie Meissner needs a major overhaul. As much as I think she and Pam have a great thing going, the obvious move for Kimmie would be to obtain a new coach. Needless to say, Pam Gregory, who has coached Meissner to world and U.S. titles, has been instrumental to her success; but, it is obvious something in their relationship is no longer working. No one is to blame for the athlete's performance; however, when Weir felt a plateau was reached in his growth, he felt compelled to make a change because, according to him, his relationship with his former coach was becoming stale, and stagnant; and that move proved beneficial. Maybe the time has come for Kimmie to bid adieu to her childhood coach.

Kimmie's inconsistency in her last performances in the free skate at her last two competitions should send Pam either to look fornew strategies; wether it is cutting down on the strength work in Kimmie’s training program, and obtain the tutorledge of jump coach Richard Callaghan, "the jump doctor" or another coach just as reknowned; or Kimmie and her parents need to start looking for a new coach and choreographer.
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The Real Truth Behind the so Called Tie-Breaker: Weir vs Lysacek Part II

"...particularly USFS Rule 3435 -- are vague enough to allow at least two interpretations of what formula could be applied to make the calculations. One interpretation would have given Lysacek one fewer point in the free skate and made Weir the winner." Vagueness in rules tripped up Weir Philip Hersh February 2, 2008

Being a fan of both Evan and Johny, being that it did not matter which one one of them won the prize, provided that they both made the podium (1,2); however, I felt a bit perturbed that this time around the prize had gone to the wrong person . They had both skated with vigor, determination, Passion, and hunger. They both had committed some errors on their jumps. While some would argue that Evan's foot work was more intricate, Johny's music required different kind of foot work; it all depend on who is watching...or who is "JUDGING"