Contrary popular opinion, figure-skating scoring is quite technical. Each skater must perform specified jumps and moves. Points are given or deducted basis how fully they rotate, arm and leg positions, technique, mistakes, and falls (a hand or knee touching the ice have different deductions). These can all be broken down on film and demonstrated for scoring purposes. Good judges can see it in real time, although they do use video review as well. Scoring systems are really no different from gymnastics or diving.
Yes, a sport like hockey has clear points. At the end of the day - did the puck go in the net is the only real question. But the referees in any sport have a great deal of discretion as well. Was that a penalty? What constitutes an illegal hit? Was that offsides?
I understand there is a great deal of grace and beauty involved as well as athleticism. They’re great artists. And every sport must have rules, or else you can’t determine who wins and loses.
Yet the outcome of figure skating is entirely dependent on subjective judging. In hockey, you have the ability to overcome the referee, by killing a penalty, for example. Are there bad decisions in hockey? Sure. But do referees determine the outcome of every contest? Certainly not.
Is cheerleading a sport? There are people who think so. I don’t happen to share that viewpoint.