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Olympic Judges Q&A

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00000000
Posts: 11075 - Karma: 82,508
Hey everyone! A handful of the Olympic judges have agreed to entertain a few of our questions tomorrow morning. Judging a ski competition is one of the hardest jobs out there, and this crew busted their balls to do their best in Sochi. Hopefully the majority of you are able to recognize and appreciate that, whether or not you agree with their decisions. These guys are taking the time out of their busy schedules to answer YOUR questions, because (regardless of what you may think) they really do care about the sport and the community we've built around it.

Want a breakdown of a specific run? Want to see them compare two separate runs? Want to know how they are doing on Tinder in Sochi? Ask it here. We just encourage you to keep it on-topic and respectful -- any replies failing to do so risk being deleted.

The judging staff is made up of (in no particular order): Mike Atkinson, Dion Newport, Rafael Regazzoni, Greg Tuscher and Simon Tjernström

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"Watching video , and after all the discussion it is a pleasure to work with this crew as our hearts are 100% passionate about the sport...like yours... good luck tonight guys! Looking forward to the ladies on thursday. Doing our best to judge a sport that is so tough to judge! - Mike Atkinson, Olympic Freeski Judge (Canada)
Feb 18 2014 6:05PM
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SamSandmire
Posts: 289 - Karma: 4,536
Josh Loubek said he would retire from judging after this Olympics and "pass the torch to the next generation of recently-retired pro skiers." What are your feelings on this? How difficult is it to keep up with this dynamic sport and what are your future plans in the sport? Will you keep judging? If not, who would you like to "pass the torch" to?

How do you cope with all of us Monday morning quarterbacks questioning your judgement?

On a related topic, where did you deduct Nick Goepper's run, in general & in relation to Joss & Gus's runs. There all amazing, but Nick's run seemed perfect in difficulty, style, originality, amplitude & execution.

BTW, props to NS for giving us this opportunity. I coached & judged gymnastics for years and am very interested in learning more on this topic in freeskiing. Thanks!
Feb 20 2014 1:10AM
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Smuffy
Posts: 4686 - Karma: 3,408
This is kinda my question. It's tough enough scoring such technical runs on the spot, how hard is it to just forget about the contest, or do you regret putting some people ahead?

Also, different sizes/types of outerwear give different appearances of style, how does that play into judging? For example, if you put Henrik in Goeppers clothes, everything would be totally different. How do you compensate for that?
Feb 20 2014 11:37AM
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jpastor
Posts: 431 - Karma: 848
did you hand out cute points. like joss was the under dog so did you give him a good score because of that. and score the no name dudes lower cuz no one has heard of them
Feb 20 2014 12:02PM
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Frediboy94
Posts: 427 - Karma: 730
C'mon OP, when are you going to deliver?
Feb 20 2014 2:31PM
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snocompton
Posts: 2014 - Karma: 268
How much weight does a dub 7 hold in a contest run compared to other doubles?
Feb 20 2014 3:00PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
What is the atmosphere like in the judging booth, room, or wherever it is that the magic happens?
Feb 20 2014 3:21PM
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Z-Juice
Posts: 3151 - Karma: 1,504
Going off this I would assume you guys do participate in a lot of discussion,

I just looked up the results from the men's slope final and saw that the there were only 4 runs out of 24 in which the judges' scores varied 7 points or more, with Jossi's run having the most variance out of any run with only 10 points between two judges:

Jossi Run 2: 50 (judge 1), 45 (judge 2), 50 (judge 3), 50 (judge 4), 55 (judge 5)

I am wondering how on Earth it is possible that you voted so similarly on Goeppers bronze run (all 92 or 93), Gus' silver run (all 93 or 94), and Joss's gold run (94&95 with an outlying 90).




Feb 20 2014 3:45PM
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WasnatchMonster
Posts: 176 - Karma: 128
As judges, when and why did ya'll make the decision to crossover to a career in, and support, the sport of aerial skiing to give up forever on pursuing your passion and goals in the freeskiing community?

Feb 20 2014 4:18PM
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CalCarson
Posts: 1050 - Karma: 5,974
Every hit is the same amount that's why there was 3 jumps and 3 rails. Rails= 50% and Jumps=50% of the final score.
Feb 20 2014 6:06PM
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CalCarson
Posts: 1050 - Karma: 5,974
That would be so cool if there was a comp like that.
Feb 20 2014 6:12PM
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petro
Posts: 657 - Karma: 456
every question i got has already been posted..

what blows my mind is they dont (from what ive read here) get to see instant replay... what in the actual fuck??
Feb 20 2014 8:14PM
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ForeverYung
Posts: 8385 - Karma: 2,060
This
Feb 20 2014 8:49PM
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Weeezy
Posts: 385 - Karma: 342
In addition to replays, do you guys view camera angles other than the few televised?
Feb 21 2014 1:16AM
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GlazedOverGary
Posts: 62 - Karma: 251
Will this thread deliver?
Feb 21 2014 5:36PM
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STwoops
Posts: 2941 - Karma: 5,126
How much do little things come into play when you have such close scores? ie, poles or no poles, specific style of skiers (edollo as compared to goepper), how they grab, etc.?

what was the score of nicks final jump (first run) compared to edollos first jump (first run) and how do you compare the respective differences. Did the butter score higher than the mute to dub japan, if so why?

How do you all feel about the screamin semen double?

What does creativity in comp slopestyle skiing mean to you? (question for everyone)?

what are the differences between xgames and the olympics in terms of judging procedures?
Feb 22 2014 2:03AM
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Frediboy94
Posts: 427 - Karma: 730
Yeah they're like three days late already. These questions shouldn't be that hard to answer!
Feb 22 2014 5:22AM
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jibbpeter
Posts: 1613 - Karma: 4,083
Idiot, they probably got things to do, and it takes time to get togheter the best answers etc... So quit being an impatient fuck and be glad this is actually happening.

I think it's the first time ever something like this has been done?
So stop being a bitch.
Feb 22 2014 7:59AM
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Frediboy94
Posts: 427 - Karma: 730
Sorry I offended you. I am really grateful for and stoked on the fact that they're doing this, which is exactly why I am impatient. I'd actually prefer the term "eager" instead of "impatient".

The reason I and a few others made time-related comments on this thread is that OP included a clear deadline for delivery in his post. When you look forward to something as much as I look forward to seeing the answers to the questions in this thread it is easy to get impatient when deadline has been overshot by 300%.

If this happens, it's courteous to at least let the involved people know what the hold up is. If they tell us that something unexpected has come up and that it will take them another week to answer these questions, I will be perfectly fine with it.

I wasn't being a bitch, nor an idiot. Sorry it came across that way.
Feb 22 2014 9:04AM
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jibbpeter
Posts: 1613 - Karma: 4,083
sry for being so harsh.

But it's allways delays with these Q&A's. It'll be out when it's ready, and It was never a "deadline".
Like the Josh Berman QA is still not out. Let's hope this won't take that long haha.

Peace
Feb 22 2014 9:11AM
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Frediboy94
Posts: 427 - Karma: 730
Yeah no problem, I guess I could've phrased my original reply better!
Feb 22 2014 1:59PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
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I have 0 faith this will deliver.
Feb 22 2014 2:05PM
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K-Dubs
Posts: 334 - Karma: 454
threads for delivery
Feb 22 2014 3:06PM
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Snowtorious_BIG
Posts: 659 - Karma: 1,467
Did you all have designated "bathroom breaks" during Nick and Henrik's runs and as a result decided to just make up random scores which did not at all correlate to their near perfect runs?
Feb 22 2014 3:14PM
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GrandThings
Posts: 3127 - Karma: 31,556
Will you ever actually answer?
Feb 25 2014 9:28PM
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KingGeedorah
Posts: 890 - Karma: 1,576
What is your favorite ski movie? To try and break up all of the questions about your judging.
Feb 25 2014 10:03PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
so i take it we're not going to hear anything from the judges after all....?.....?
Feb 26 2014 10:29AM
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
I'm not sure exactly what the deal is but if I had to guess Mousseau is trying to track the judges down and get some answers. They've got other things going on in their lives, I imagine Raf is at Frostgun, maybe others as well, so it might be a few before we hear back from them.

Either that or they immediately regretted agreeing to do a Q&A with NS after they saw a few of the questions.
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Feb 26 2014 6:04PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
.
Feb 26 2014 9:00PM
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Boooshank
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 160
.
Feb 27 2014 5:00AM
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Frediboy94
Posts: 427 - Karma: 730
.

Feb 27 2014 11:50AM
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TheButterHashira
Posts: 9691 - Karma: 1,702
DId you at least kiss Goepper before you fucked him?
Feb 27 2014 12:01PM
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Frediboy94
Posts: 427 - Karma: 730
Just so you know, we aren't going to forget about this thread...

At least tell us what the hold up is! Can't you get the judges on the phone for an hour or did they dookie their pants when they saw the questions, like Skodeo7 suggested?

Look at the rating on this thread. It was an awesome idea and it was suck if it wasn't seen all the way through.
Mar 3 2014 4:40AM
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
I really hope this goes through
Mar 3 2014 4:54AM
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Frediboy94
Posts: 427 - Karma: 730
I guess this won't be happening after all...

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Mar 7 2014 9:01AM
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Iraq_Lobster
Posts: 1866 - Karma: 4,904
the judges are probably scared now that see our questions, honestly, how would they not see this coming though. What did they think we were going to ask them.
Mar 7 2014 9:22AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
Quite honestly, the judges are not obligated to respond to anything.

Right now, they are, for the most part coming off a super long competition season where they've been on the road and away from their families. Sorry to break it you but these guys do have lives outside of skiing and they really owe you nothing. Remember, these guys are from all over the world, in different time zones and have different schedules so getting together to appease the internet trolls probably isn't at the top of their priority list.

As far as we know there were no formal protests after the events by coaches or athletes and that's really all that matters. Accept it. They've been around this sport longer than most of you have been alive.

I can almost guarantee they will answer questions when they feel like it but you kids really need to move on with your lives.
Mar 7 2014 10:35AM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
Then OP should apologize for making a promise he couldn't keep, and you should really move on from the thread dedicated to the subject. Of course were going to be asking whats going on in the fucking thread, do you see us complaining all over NS? Do you have proof this is what we truly care about as you claim?

Maybe its time to go back to the retirement home gramps.
Mar 7 2014 11:06AM
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lewis10123
Posts: 122 - Karma: 418
"Oh boy I can't believe the Judges answers! How can they even say that?! What were they thinking responding to those questions?"

...would be responses some of us may make when we finally get the answers.
Mar 11 2014 3:59PM
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Frediboy94
Posts: 427 - Karma: 730
I feel obliged to say something here again just to show that I was serious about not forgetting this thread... although I'm starting to feel utterly defeated.
Mar 18 2014 2:29PM
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Aahlnas
Posts: 131 - Karma: 148
Go to sochi
Like a BOSS
Judging poorly
Like a BOSS
Q&A
Like a BOSS
Recieving hate
Like a BOSS
PUSSY OUT!

I know that sports based on judging is really hard, and the judges do their best and follow their criterias. And THEY know that, so I just think that you Allways should be eager to explain how it all worked out. If not for fans and viewers, for themselves.

Skiing shouldn't be judged. Fuck FIS

Mar 19 2014 1:41AM
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rockinthru
Posts: 1 - Karma: 10
Since this thread is still popping back onto the first page, I thought I'd ask a few questions. But first, I don't think that judging is "one of the hardest jobs out there". Compared to what? But it is more difficult than it seems. My questions are about the future rather than focusing on what happened at the Olympics or other contests. These questions are about both pipe and slope.

1. I have read that some (many? most?) snowboarders are critical of judging that is only "overall impression". Will the freeski judging panel look at and discuss other judging formats with a thought to possibly integrating new ideas?

2. Do you think that having one or two objective criteria might make the judging more accountable and accurate? (eg. amplitude in pipe, trick difficulty in both, etc.)

3. Do you have opinions/plans for preventing actual corruption within the Olympic freeski judging panels (and other major comps) in the future? How do you make the process more transparent or thoughts on other ways to keep it all as above board as possible?

4. The judging for the female events seems to be the most inconsistent in terms of what is rewarded and what is deducted. It seems to be the most difficult to judge, possibly because the females have much more variation in their strengths and weaknesses? Comment? And how do you plan on making this work better in the future?



Mar 19 2014 2:37PM
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powerbong2000
Posts: 737 - Karma: 1,802
The Q&A threads have been great successes!
Mar 19 2014 2:44PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
great first post, lots of great questions, it won't get answered tho because moose can't admit when he's lost.
Mar 19 2014 3:07PM
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