ISU Defends Ice Dance Scoring System for Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics
The International Skating Union (ISU) remains steadfast in its scoring system for ice dance during the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics. Recent judgments from a French judge sparked controversy after the French duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron scored nearly eight points higher than American competitors Madison Chock and Evan Bates. This significant scoring gap played a pivotal role in Beaudry and Cizeron’s victory during the free dance program.
Concerns Over Judging Discrepancies
Judge Jezabel Dabouis’s scoring raised eyebrows, as her evaluations were critiqued for appearing heavily biased. If Dabouis’s score had been removed entirely from the calculations, Chock and Bates would have claimed the gold. The ISU defended its judging practices, stating, “It is normal for scores from different judges to vary, and several mechanisms are in place to mitigate such discrepancies.”
Limited Recourse for Competitors
Despite the concerns, American teams have limited options in addressing these scoring issues since the governing body has declined to investigate. This isn’t an isolated occurrence; Dabouis has faced criticism for questionable scoring decisions in past competitions involving Beaudry and Cizeron. For instance, during a Grand Prix final in December, Judge Dabouis favored the French pair in a closely contested free dance, despite Chock and Bates outperforming them overall.
Impact on the Sport
Madison Chock expressed her frustration, stating, “When fans are confused by the results, it harms our sport. It is challenging to retain audience trust when the scoring is not clear.”
Historical Context of Judging Controversies
This situation echoes a famous judging scandal from the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. During that event, the Russian pair Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze controversially won gold over Canadian skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletier. Allegations against judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne led to an investigation that ultimately confirmed misconduct.
The Evolution of Scoring Systems
In the wake of that scandal, the ISU abandoned its six-point scoring system in favor of a more complex system, initiated in 2004. The current evaluation method consists of two scores: one for technical elements, based on a predetermined value, and another for the overall performance quality. While it has been refined over the years, many critics argue that this system remains overly complicated and subjective, exemplified by a recent petition on Change.org that garnered over 10,000 signatures requesting an investigation into the latest judging discrepancies.
Skaters’ Perspectives on Performance
Evan Bates reflected on their Olympic journey, saying, “We know how we felt on the ice after our performance. It felt like our best. That moment is our victory, regardless of the scores.”
The ISU’s commitment to its current scoring system for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics highlights ongoing challenges in figure skating’s judging landscape, prompting continued discussions about fairness and transparency in the sport.
