http://www.examiner.com/article/olympic ... d-movementOlympic Buzz Experiment (December 2012): Expected movementIt's 2013, which means that we are now 13 months away from the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. And my Olympic Buzz Experiment continues with the results from December 2012.....
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MEN
The top six may be the same, but there was some notable movement from two skaters who made some waves during December. Daisuke Takahashi won the Grand Prix Final then skated one of the best free skates of his career at Japan Nationals.
Evgeni Plushenko skated his first full competition of the season and won his 2,341,234,085th Russian title.
Both have closed the gap somewhat on the top two.
Patrick Chan - 6.935 (-0.381) G,S
Yuzuru Hanyu - 4.758 (-0.297) B
Daisuke Takahashi - 3.132 (+0.319)
Evgeni Plushenko - 2.056 (+0.586)
Javier Fernandez - 0.968 (-0.098) DR
Takahiko Kozuka - 0.202 (-0.093)
Jeremy Abbott - 0.121 (+0.047)
Evan Lysacek - 0.121 (+0.029)
Tomas Verner - 0.108 (+0.034)
Ross Miner - 0.081 (-0.048)
Tatsuki Machida - 0.067 (-0.043)
Brian Joubert (NEW) - 0.040 (+0.040)
Florent Amodio - 0.013 (-0.042)
Takahito Mura - 0.013 (-0.005)
Off the list: Johnny Weir
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What is the Buzz Experiment?
Examiner Figure Skating's Olympic Buzz Experiment polls skating fans and experts alike about their podium predictions for the Olympics at the end of each month. Beginning November 2012, results are being compiled every in-season month (November 2012-April 2013, August 2013-January 2014) to understand skater momentum as the Sochi Olympics approach.
By gathering predictions via email rather than from an online poll, the Buzz Experiment attempts to reduce skewed results often seen with online polls. The goal is not a popularity contest, though that aspect does play a role in the results, but rather a more genuine sense of who is generating the most buzz and momentum as the Olympics near.
Methodology of results
The biggest caveat that I have with the Buzz Experiment is that the analysis of results will likely change as I understand the data, have more questions, and get feedback. Currently, the Buzz Number is a weighted average of the responses as follows: Gold (53.33%), Silver (26.67%), Bronze (13.33%), Dark Horse (6.67%).
Results are accepted ONLY when participants provide predictions for one or more full podiums (i.e., if a person chooses just one person for the gold, the prediction is discarded). This allows a fairer distribution of predictions.
How do I participate?
For more background, take a look at my original post. Email me your January 2013 picks at
jackiecwong11@gmail.com later this month. I want a gold, a silver, a bronze, and a dark horse for men, ladies, pairs, and dance. Note that you don't have to choose podiums for all disciplines if you are not familiar. Plus, tell me what country you are from.