During this year’s Cigar Smoking World Championship final in Dubrovnik, two situations created a stir which would put the spotlight on the work of the judges. After all, the smokers aren’t the only ones having to be fully focused for three hours. About an hour into the competition the reigning world champion Hauke Walter was issued a yellow card for “not keeping his cigar visible at all times”, and in the final moments Anastasya Arsenova lost her chance at the title when she burnt the ring.
Sarah Saunders is one of the most experience slow smoking judges in the world, and here’s her take on it:
There are many rules that make the CSWC Slow Smoking World Championship the exciting competition it is. The absolute majority of competitors across the 48 competing countries play fair, and we have an amazing Judges Association with trained and experienced judges to ensure that is the case. At this year’s grand final, one rule got a lot of attention, even though it’s been in the book since the competition started 15 years ago.
Over the years as competitors styles develop, it seems that the “Keep the cigar visible at all times”-rule has been somewhat “accommodated”. Not entirely overlooked, but perhaps not ruled on to the letter. I think this is in part because at a national competition level there are such a variety of smoking conditions, and competitors have evolved techniques to protect their cigars, e.g. from drafts, cross breezes at events hosted outside. After all, with more smoking bans indoors, it is increasingly more difficult to host the national events in perfect conditions.
Judges are aware of the difference between shielding (allowed), and covering (not allowed) the cigar, and have some allowance to offer competitors at a national level to accommodate the local environment. I’ve been a national organizer and judge CSWC for six years, and have only occasionally had to ask a competitor to “please show me your cigar”. Ultimately, rules are rules, and by asking the question, you know the competitor has already broken the rule. It’s really that simple.
Cheating is not tolerated
As this worldwide competition grows, some competitors push the boundaries of the rules, taking risks they might not have previously. They just really want to win.
The extraordinary abuse of the visibility rule in the Greek finals this year was shockingly revealed after a tip off after the event, and later proven when captured in the venue’s CCTV footage. The winner and his accomplices had cheated most daringly by re-lighting the cigar under the table out of view of the roaming judges.
The Greek Judges and organizers did their best on the night to manage the situation, and the offenders received a ban from ever competing again. This episode undoubtedly highlighted the need to tighten up on the “visible at all times”-rule across the whole competition, so we made it a focus for the grand final.
Yellow Cards
Each judge has their own style. I have a reputation as being sharp eyed, quiet, and able to maintain total focus for hours on the table I am judging. I rarely smile during the competition.
I gave four yellow cards this year at the Grand Final. Three because the cigar wasn’t visible at all times and one for touching the burning line. There is clearly intense pressure at the top level and it’s vital that judges are careful and clear in their judgments.
Hauke Walter asked me if he could hold his cigar in a particular way. As he was sitting next to me I could see the cigar easily and said I had no problem with the hold. At that moment our Head Judge, Marija Marovic, walked past the table on the opposite side and said to me that she couldn’t see the cigar. Technically, the rule had been transgressed and I agreed that if the cigar was not visible to all judges at all times the rule was broken.
Hauke is an honourable competitor, and he changed the hold immediately, but he still received a yellow card. I can understand how unnerving it must be for a competitor to get a yellow card, but he appeared cool headed as he smoked on to a very fair win. By the way, I haven’t had to issue a red one yet.
Anastasya Arsenova – the challenge of a burnt band
It was possibly the last but one draw when Judge Marija sitting opposite to Anastasya saw a glow on the edge of her band. With my eyes firmly fixed on her cigar I had watched several draws prior to this, and with repeated raising of my hand told Marko Bilic firmly, “no, she is not out”.
When Anastasya took her last draw, and I saw the cigar had gone out I recorded her time, with confirmation from judge Roberto Resmer. Anastasya put her cigar in the ashtray, before giving it to a judge. She then attempted to take the band off herself. She was understandably upset, but this was not acceptable behaviour.
Marija took the cigar from the ashtray to check the band, and showed it to me. It was burned enough for us to unanimously agree, and 15 penalty points were recorded. For the avoidance of doubt, I took a photograph.
As I’ve said, there is significant pressure at the top of the game, the stakes are high. Competitors push the smoking to the limits. The disappointment when risks don’t pay off can deeply affect the competitor. It’s up to us as judges to remain calm, sure in our judgment and face the upset of competitors. It’s part of the job.
Despite the deducted minutes, Anastasya still won the Best Ladies’ time, and as founder of the Women’s International Cigar Club, I was particularly pleased to be able to congratulate her on her achievement. There are a number of challenges being a judge of the CSWC Grand Final. Judging Table Number One. This year was probably the hardest I’ve ever had to judge. The competition was fierce, and scrutiny the most intense, but I absolutely love the role. I consider it a massive privilege to be able to participate in this groundbreaking world cigar event.
