Alexei Yagudin: “Figure skating has lost its individuality. Everyone is performing cookie-cutter routines because that’s what the rules say, and that’s what earns the maximum points.”
Alexei Yagudin reflects on the loss of individuality in figure skating
original source: Sport24
2002 Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin criticizes the current scoring system in figure skating, arguing that it has compromised the sport’s individuality and artistic charm in favor of strict adherence to regulations. Here’s a translation of his comments.
“Modern figure skating rules are confusing for viewers – for many, it’s hard to understand, maybe approximately, give or take. In my opinion, the old 6.0 system was more transparent and comprehensible. It was clear right away who supported whom and what was happening. Now, you see these blue and red squares popping up in the corner of the screen, and that’s where scores seem to come from.
Here’s a secret: it’s actually much easier to outsmart the current scoring system. In the past, you needed a majority – five judges out of nine – to sway results. Now, you just need two people on the technical panel because there are only three of them.
This isn’t a race where crossing the finish line gives you concrete results – first, second, third. There’s a photo finish in running that makes everything clear. In figure skating, however, we deal with criteria like ‘I liked it’ or ‘I didn’t like it.’
Figure skating is beginning to regain the charisma, imagery, and artistry it lost after the judging system changed. But now, with these rule changes, skaters are blindly following the regulations. Figure skating has lost its individuality. Everyone is performing cookie-cutter routines because that’s what the rules say, and that’s what earns the maximum points,” Yagudin said in his remarks.
Related topics: Alexei Yagudin
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