I love how some reporters discussed the most recent World Figure Skating Championship:

Asian skaters have elevated the skill level in women's skating. But the sport needs an American woman on the podium — the next Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Kwan. For the third straight world championships, there wasn't one — prompting Kwan and Sasha Cohen to hint at comebacks. Rachael Flatt and Alissa Czisny finished fifth and 11th, which means the U.S. will have only two women in the Olympics instead of three.

Predictably, the rant concluded that the current Code of Points is flawed because American women didn't get any medal in Los Angeles. Obviously the reporter hasn't seen the U.S. ladies skate. With two falls in the short program, the U.S. champion Alissa Czisny couldn't medal anyway even under the old judging system (6.0 = perfect). Rachel Flatt wasn't polished enough. It's her first senior level world. She should be happy with her 5th place finish.

If an American skater is worthy of being on the podium — great technique and artistry — sure, she should get a medal. And she will get a medal even under the new system. But I've seen new American girls skate. They're subpar compared to Mao Asada, Kim Yuna, Miki Ando and Joannie Rochette.

It's whiny to complain about the judging system that's not going to go away, and it's racist to complain that it only lets Asians win, conveniently forgetting that the new silver medalist Rochette is Canadian and white. It's not like the Code of Points is a huge secret. Everyone knows what one must do to win. And it's not just doing a ton of jumps. If American girls aren't getting medals, it means they aren't very good. Frankly I thought Czisny's 11th finish was generous.

Anyone else seen the World? Any thoughts on the competition?

P.S. I'm sorry I've been MIA for so long. Will have more updates later. :)