Does anyone know Brian Wessels? He competed in the open division, and sent me the following email regarding his disappointment with the judging. Before I reply, I'd like to know if he is justified in thinking this way, or if he's just being a big fucking baby.

Here is the email:

Hello, I left that competition pretty upset considering the lack of judging. I've been to several competitions and I placed second in the AIL two years ago so I know how these go. I'm not upset that I didn't place, I understand you don’t win every time. With that being said, most competitions when the judges are watching the tricks of all of the skaters, the judges are spread out throughout the park so NO tricks are missed. Me and several other skaters noticed most of our tricks were not caught by the judges or even announced. I know its hard to watch everyone but its something that needs to be done in a comp. The skaters I was paired with were very good and I respect them, but they even admitted I was really good and deserved to place. Plus when me and a couple skaters in my division landed a trick it was called something that was less difficult than what we actually did. I did a full cab front farf and it was called a 270 farf which is a hell of a lot easier for one example. I didn’t get credit for what I actually did which is bullshit since I drove two hours out of my way to a NON legit comp. This is just feedback so you can improve for next year. Don't worry I won't be back.

Is there anyone else who went that feels this way? Were the judges in a bad spot? I don't get it, you can see every part of the park unobstructed from the vantage point they had.

I have no idea who this kid is. Maybe the tall guy with crazily painted Xsjados?

I wasn't there but just based on that letter I would say more of the later... (the option referencing a baby )

Trick naming arguments have been around since rollerblading started...he needs to get over it...and who cares if you can land a 900 full cab cowboy toe slide....if it looks like crap...it looks like crap and judging isnt based on what tricks you can hit..but style and flow overall (I hope)...sounds like this guy was good enough to have been bumped up to the expert division...I say send him a coupon for Summer's Eve and call it day

..sorry for venting but seriously...who writes a letter like that ..and comparing it to AIL which had 5+ divisions...this just boggles my mind haha...do people really take comps this seriously?

I remember, particularly because I have a friend named Brandon Russel, and when they anounced this kid i was like, wtf thats my friends name but then they corrected him and put an S on the end...So it sounds like russels. I believe he was a young but not super young, and dont think he was the hairy guy in the shadows.

Even if the judges were in a bad spot, they were all in a bad spot and everyone had that disadvantage thus the field was level. I think having one judge by the pyramid box would of been good just to make sure they caught all the action that was happening there. Or in the "European Area" lol

You also cant get mad at the anouncer for calling somthing slightly wrong when so much is happening so fast, thats why the judges are there anyway, to catch and judge what happens.

As for this guy, he contradicts himself:

Quote:

I left that competition pretty upset considering the lack of judging

Ok,

Quote:

I'm not upset that I didn't place

Just that the judges didnt see that you should of placed? I think that is being upset that you didnt place:

Quote:

...I was really good and deserved to place

I think its pretty obvious his ego got hit from this comp. He may say he is not upset that he didnt place but that is really why he sent this. I think judging for this comp was fair but in the future placing judges around wouldnt hurt. In addition, I dont know how he would know the Judges missed a trick, did he ask them if they saw? I doubt that.

imo, some baby crying with a little validation from all the judges being in one spot.

Haha, the Summer's Eve part had me LOLing hard

Well, my comp was supposedly AIL sanctioned and everyone who skated expert qualifies to compete in the AIL Championship in California. That was why he was comparing it to other AIL comps.

But seriously, this kid's skating does not stand out in my mind, I have no idea who he is or what he looks like, so I can't comment on his abilities. t sounds like he thinks pretty highly of his own skating, and if he didn't place, then he just didn't stand out. Might I suggest he starts wearing neon blue shirtz & bright orange pantz like David Sizemore did at BCSD 2008?

Everyone did atleast two tricks to his one. Sure the farf on the box was hard but you have skate more than the short pyramid box. I cant skate everything so I wasn't expecting to place. If you have been to events before you should know that. Sorry dude but there is more to judging than watching one obstacle.

Eric, what did this kid look like? I can't figure out who he is. I am waiting to send him a reply once I understand who he is. I will post the reply for the lulz that are in it. I have a draft waiting. It's not very nice

removed out of kindness.

Wow V. The tone is a little strong and the black listing may be a bit much.

Ok, Ok...


i just won't respond to his email. but it felt good to write it.

haha that was fantastic....good day indeed

For what it's worth I felt like the comp was run really well. It only makes sense to have the judges sitting next to each other. This guy needs go grow a pair and just enjoy skating for the fun and excitement of being able to still roll. I broke my collar bone at the comp in the open round and still had a great time. Thanks for the good show and see yall next year.

priceless...haha.