| If you don't like the new scoring system recently | | | | third place Tim Goebel. |
| introduced into the world of figure skating, you could | | | | On the women's side, Sasha Cohen and Michelle |
| make up your own on Sunday and help choose the | | | | Kwan advanced to the final round by easily |
| winner of the Marshall's Figure Skating Challenge. | | | | outdistancing Alissa Czisny and Emily Hughes. The |
| Presented by ABC television, fans from all over the | | | | panel of judges voted Cohen the best, although she |
| country were able to pick the winners during the | | | | finished behind the veteran Kwan who was skating |
| first-ever live, interactive, fan voting during a | | | | for the first time since a September injury sidelined |
| nationally-televised ice skating event. Fans were able | | | | her. |
| to vote via a 900 number, cell phone text message, | | | | In the men's championship round skate-off, Weir |
| or online voting at The US Figure Skating Association | | | | overcame a fall in the first round to receive 64% of |
| web site. The 900 number and cell phone text | | | | the vote over Weiss. For the ABC panel of experts, |
| message costs were .75 per vote. | | | | it was the only time that it agreed with the 900 |
| In addition, 2000 fans at Boston University's Agganis | | | | number, text message, and internet voters who also |
| Arena were able to vote from their seats with a | | | | gave Weir the title and $50,000 in prize money. |
| handheld device. But, the Marshall's Figure Skating | | | | The ending of the show seemed similar to most of |
| Challenge did not totally abandon traditional judging. | | | | the women's figure skating competitions that we've |
| The ABC panel of experts-Peggy Fleming, Dick | | | | witnessed over the past decade when Kwan has |
| Button, and Peter Carruthers-were there to offer | | | | copped nine national titles. Kwan won the event, but |
| their expert commentary based on more than just | | | | it was bittersweet, because the panel of experts all |
| who wore the cutest outfit. | | | | voted for Cohen who is still looking for her first |
| In the men's preliminary, Michael Weiss thrilled the | | | | national title. |
| crowd with a back flip he dubbed a "tornado" and | | | | In all, according to the New York Times, 104,418 |
| advanced to the championship round. Favorite Johnny | | | | votes were cast via the 900 number, text message, |
| Weir, whose 900 number message indicated a vote | | | | and the web site. Advanced Telecom Services |
| for him was a vote for the fact that he was "hot," | | | | (Wayne, PA) handled the 900 number voting. Spark |
| also advanced to the final round. Interestingly, | | | | Network Services (Des Plaines, IL) provided the text |
| however, the panel did not agree with the public. It | | | | message voting through its system. WinnerComm |
| unanimously named Matt Savoie, a late replacement | | | | (Tulsa, OK) tabulated the online voting. |
| for the injured Evan Lysaceck, as the overall best. | | | | One thing is for sure, with over 100,000 votes, each |
| Savoie finished last in the public voting just behind | | | | costing .75, it was pretty difficult to rig the judges. |