It seems to me that the two tower judges should have deferred to the boat judge since a video was not available. How many times have we seen the judges in other pro sports get together and go with the judge who has the best angle/view.
This definitely hurts the quality of this years Masters that one of the top skiers in the world has been banned in 2023 for language (let’s assume he used some language that you don’t hear on “Big Bird”) that occurred in 2022. The video equipment was obviously faulty. Did Nautique ban the video operator from future events? A good video feed solves this issue. Nautique has only brought ill will upon themselves by so many in the sport by their actions that clearly appear to be based on sponsorship. Does ANYONE believe if Freddie was a Nautique sponsor that he would have been banned from this years event? Certainly if he was a Nautique sponsor they would have said to Freddie: “We love your passion Freddie but let’s watch the language “Ok”.” Nautique would certainly have wanted to see Freddie’s D3 ski with their logo on it when he is on the podium if Freddie was one of their endorsers. For which he undoubtedly will be on that podium many times this year.
Freddie brings a passion to the sport like McEnroe and Connors brought to professional tennis. Their passion brought in more viewers not fewer.
I don’t believe Freddie would have been so upset if he hadn't made that 6th buoy.
Numerous mistakes were obviously made last year. All Nautique has done is to compound those mistakes. It is a sad situation for all involved.
I don’t know if I will watch this years Masters or not. Hardly a “Masters” when one of the top skiers in the world is missing. And BTW who would have even remembered this issue if Nautique didn’t ban Freddie this year. Sometimes you just have to let “dead dogs lie”. Nautique needs to reach out to Freddie and work this out. All parties need to apologize to the other, shake hands, and “Come out skiing!”.