I rarely watch figure skating. I don’t like watching judged sporting events because usually I can’t tell how people should be scored, beyond saying “these two competitors were clearly the best, the rest are about even.” That being said, I don’t think the gold medalists from last night’s pairs figure skating even deserved a silver medal - they skated fine, but in my mind, Sale and Pelletier skated better, as did the American pair of Ina and Zimmerman. I know I should know better, but my jaw hit the floor when I saw the scores come up for the gold medalists, and it hit the floor in the basement when the second set of scores came up for Sale and Pelletier. I haven’t had a severe problem with the judging in the other two judged events that I’ve watched this year - both Ski Jumping and the Snowboard Halfpipe seem to have the judging system in hand - give each judge a specific responsibility, and total the scores. That way, it’s quite easy to point to a specific part of the performance and say “Yes, that’s why person A beat person B” Like I said, I’m no expert figure skating analyst, but I think that the reason for all the outcry is because there is absolutely no reason given for the marks being what they are. I think at least that way, you can feel free to disagree with an opinion, but the way things stand, no opinion is offered beyond “5.9″ or whatever.

I shoulda known better though, the figure skating judging at the olympics has never been any different.

By the way - 14 seconds left - ouch. That’s twice where a late goal has cost the Habs a point. They’ve gotta tighten up their late defensive game.

Simpsons quote of the day - Lionel Hutz (Attorney at law) : “That’s why you’re the judge, and I’m the law.. talkin’.. guy.”