A Tribute to Number Threes: Akiko Suzuki

Today's Tribute to Number Threes is dedicated to Akiko Suzuki (previously featured was Alexander Abt).

A Tribute to Number Threes: Alexander Abt

Like sequins and illusion mesh fabric, reputation-based judging is a basic fact of life when it comes to figure skating.

In figure skating, it is generally agreed that it is usually more advantageous if one is from a larger, more powerful federation--e.g. the USFSA, Skate Canada, RSF or the JSF. With a larger federation usually comes the benefits of a more influential politicking machine, a higher likelihood of a friendly judge on the panel and of course, more cash to buy that $10,000 Lori Nichol choreography.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case for some skaters.