Kimmy's ice fishing

In Candy Crush soda there’s currently the contest called Kimmy’s ice fishing that’s being played. I’ve reached the 1st place on several occasions and winning three times means great rewards. My question is two fold. First I thought that the race was played with different people due to a random pick for each race as it has in the past, but now it’s always between two or three of the same players for each contest and every time they win 1st place. I’ve watched closely because each of the three were always advancing by a lot of games won each time. I found that for every level I pass, even in one or two moves with great boosters, the 1st place player’s wins will increase by multiple levels to my one. This is impossible as there’s no way that this “person” can win so many levels during the same period of time that I win a level. This leads me to the conclusion that not only am I now always battling against the same people with that type of advancement to every one level I win, it makes it impossible to win. Winning means more great boosters. I’m paying for better boosters with the 8 golden tickets won by beating 8 hard levels at $4.99 a pop. I’m paying for impossible wins due to their rapid level’s won. This feels like a ploy to get the player to spend more money and I’m tired of playing impossible battles! I’m ready to give up! Who am I actually playing a game with, the computer?