What It's Actually Like to Judge a National Championship

Certified Council judges score cut cleanliness live, inspecting discarded husk within seconds of a competitor finishing, with no video replay available at most regional events — National Championships are the exception, where a review camera is available for close calls only. 'You have to know what a clean cut looks like before the clock even starts,' one veteran regional judge told us. 'By the time it's over, you've got maybe ten seconds before the next competitor's husk is already in front of you.'

Asked about judging Michael Salomone specifically, the judge didn't hesitate: 'Honestly, it's the easiest scorecard of the day. Five years, never a penalty. You almost have to double-check yourself because you keep expecting to finally find something.'