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World Skating Federation

Q&A with Ron Pfenning

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Support, Sponsors & Associations

Peter M.: Do you support the creation of the Athletes Commission/Association and its goals of voting representation within any world governing body?

Peter M.: Has the WSF made any contact with the Athletes Commission/Association to set up a dialogue?

Ron: Yes, without question. The sport is for the athletes and they must have a voice and a vote in the governance of the sport. From the beginning, athletes have participated in the formation of the WSF. If the question concerns the Athletes Commission/Association that was formed during the 2003 Worlds, we have not had a formal meeting with them but have had informal discussions with athletes that were in attendance.

Peter M.: Does the WSF support the establishment and goals of the new Major League Figure Skating (TM)?

Ron: My apology but I am not familiar enough with this organization to provide or withhold support.

Dr. B.: No one athlete is bigger than the whole sport. But in terms of attracting U.S. television and live audiences to your events, have you had any conversations with Shep Goldberg?

Ron: No.

Anonymous: I was disappointed about the recent announcements from Skate Canada that they would not be supporting the WSF - have you received any positive feedback from the other federations, or do you think they are all too scared of ISU backlash?

JillLaQ.: First of all, thank you Ron, for your courage in standing up to the powers that be. I realize that this is an uphill battle. Have any other countries' officials gotten onboard with WSF? If so, can you name them? How long was this in the planning stages before it was announced earlier this year?

Kim: Where does the WSF stand now with support from individuals and/or federations from other countries? What has been the USFSA's response, besides that they "endorse the principals?"

Ron: Denmark early on publicly supported the principles of the WSF, as did the Executive Committee of the USFSA. However, since the ISU issued Circular Letter 583, on March 31, in which they threatened to suspend any Member who endorses or supports the WSF, the ISU Members, including officials (Judges/Referees), appear to be too frightened to be seen as siding with the WSF in any fashion. Although the ISU has not yet actually sanctioned any individual or Member federation, one must take their threats as being real. So under the current conditions, I could not possibly name current ISU Members or Officials who are helping our cause. Until the threats, intimidation and fear tactics can be halted and revoked, by court order or otherwise, few will publicly endorse and support the WSF. In answer to the last question from JillLaQ.: the first time there was actual planning to establish the WSF was in early summer 2002. The USFSA's response of its leadership has been surprising and disappointing; they seem to have taken up the same tactics as the ISU, those being fear and intimidation. They have fostered unfounded statements about the goals of the WSF. We do not want to take over the USFSA, we do not want to rob their treasury, we will not jeopardize the eligibility of the athletes, we are not violating the ABC contract that the USFSA has, we are not the bad guys, and the WSF only wants to partner with the USFSA and other federations to move our sport forward with ethical principles.

Anonymous: Does the WSF have any major sponsors supporting their drive to replace the ISU?

Ron: No, not at this time.

Anonymous: Since their seems to be lots of interest by Clubs supporting WSF, what is WSF doing between now and Governing Council to better communicate a plan for moving forward to the GC delegates?

Ron: We believe there is significant grass root support for our cause. I recently sent a letter to each USFSA Club President explaining the serious situation our sport finds itself in internationally and asked for their support and endorsement of the WSF. The WSF will host an open town meeting forum in Norfolk, Thursday evening prior to the Governing Council meeting to inform and answer questions of delegates. The USFSA would not provide the WSF with a list of the delegates to the Governing Council meeting so we have not been able to communicate with each delegate directly.

Anonymous: How much support from representatives of major figure skating federations had WSF sought and achieved before announcing its existence to the press and thereby to the ISU?

Ron: The WSF didn't seek any support from representatives of any federation before the press conference. We still have not asked any federation to join us. We have said from the beginning that we will not place any federation or athlete in jeopardy. The individuals who have assisted in the development of the WSF are doing so as individuals and not as representatives of federations. These individual come from more than ten countries scattered around the world.

Anonymous: In particular, how much support is there already for WSF from any representatives of French or Russian skating, whether the current leaders of those federations or individuals who are dissatisfied with the current leadership?

Ron: There have been individuals from France who have expressed support for the WSF. No one from the Russian federation has voiced support.

Kim: Do you think that it would be at all beneficial for the WSF and SkateFAIR were to work together, or does each give a better impact on their own?

Ron: I believe there should be a supportive alliance between two. It seems to me that we complement each other's goals, share similar goals and should continue to do so without formally joining forces. What would be the advantage to join together? I do not see a necessity to do that at this moment in time. We each need and should have our independence.

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