Post by k9stylist1968 on Apr 29, 2007 9:28:01 GMT -5
Brand new here, and reading these boards for the first time, but I have to agree with CThrash13 on this one. It does seem that certain riders are treated more favorably by the judges (and the commentators) than others.
I believe Marchi had to work much harder and ride much better to maintain his #1 ranking through most of last year than McBride is this year. I'm not taking anything away from McBride--he's had an amazing season. But, yes, a lot of his scores have been higher than the same rides would have been for any other ride.
At close events, where just a couple points seperate 1st-5th place, I can see where the First to Fall format would make it more exciting. But when there is a huge deficit between 1st and 2nd place to a point where it would take a Gaffney-vs-LYJ-calibur ride (the 96.5 in '04) to change the outcome, it's pretty anti-climatic.
I believe Marchi had to work much harder and ride much better to maintain his #1 ranking through most of last year than McBride is this year. I'm not taking anything away from McBride--he's had an amazing season. But, yes, a lot of his scores have been higher than the same rides would have been for any other ride.
At close events, where just a couple points seperate 1st-5th place, I can see where the First to Fall format would make it more exciting. But when there is a huge deficit between 1st and 2nd place to a point where it would take a Gaffney-vs-LYJ-calibur ride (the 96.5 in '04) to change the outcome, it's pretty anti-climatic.