Washington, D.C. - A new, untested figure skating judging system that has already produced anomalous results. An edict from the International Skating Union that prevents any questioning of results, or any contact with the media, until outcomes are set in stone. A refusal by the ISU to end the anonymity of judges' marks, and a sham, unenforced code of accountability and ethics

These factors will combine to set the stage for the next figure skating scandal, according to Skate Fans for Accountability and ISU Reform (SkateFAIR), the activist group responsible for the successful protest at the World Championships in Washington in 2003. With this year's Worlds and next year's Olympics looming, SkateFAIR will launch a new blog, “Countdown to the Next Figure Skating Scandal,” on March 13, 2005.

The blog will feature postings from 'Deep Edge,' not a single individual, but “a group of educated, knowledgeable, concerned spectators and enthusiasts of the sport of figure skating,” according to the blog's introduction. The blog will feature both signed articles from various contributors and articles from skating insiders, who, to protect their careers, must blog anonymously. The first blog article, by former ISU Council member Sonia Bianchetti Garbato, author of the recent book “Cracked Ice: Figure Skating's Inner World,” will be posted on March 13. Other bloggers, including former skaters and judges, experts in statistical analysis, law, organizational governance, ethics, and the history of the ISU, will contribute articles in upcoming weeks.

“In recent years, we have seen the power of blogs, created by individuals and grassroots groups, to attract attention from the news media and generate new perspectives on important issues,” said SkateFAIR member Trudi Marrapodi. “We will use the blog to generate pressure on behalf of the skaters, who are the real victims of judging scandals. Our blog will provide the backstory to the inevitable judging scandals of the future.”

Additionally, SkateFAIR will be involved with the upcoming United States Figure Skating elections, to be held in May, 2005. The recent resignation by USFS president Chuck Foster, citing the organization's weakness and lack of response to ISU decisions, has created an opportunity for real reform and an expansion of the U.S. federation's presence in international forums.