I have to say that the results of Ladies competition at Skate Canada only confirmed the politicization of judging in the sport. One would like to think it is just incompetance. Mirai Negasu had the best programs with the least mistakes. She also has extraordinary natural gifts shared only by Caroline Zhang and Alyssa Czisny. But Caroline has some serious technique problems and Alyssa’s program is painfully cautious leading to the inevitable mistakes. Neither has Nagasu’s overall quality of program. Joanie Rochette and Laura Lipisto look like skaters from more than a decade ago. Lipisto’s program is tacky and sloppy (and her overt flirting should not be given the couple of extra points she is clearly getting from the judges). Joannie has reached a plateau with what she is able to accomplish physically and mentally on the ice. These dismaying competitions are contributing to the decline of interest in figure skating. Mirai Nagasu may now be subject to the unfortunate subjectivity of this sport but, if there is a future for skating, she is the future.