I agree with him. Especially for ladies the quality has gone down BIG TIME. Or maybe we just feel like that because Yuna is missing. If you think about it, if you take Yuna out of last season the rest of the ladies weren't that impressive at last GP season either.
Hersh doesn't like what he's seen so far
Yet I don't think Rachael will be the one to put figure skating back on the map, and she isn't the only one, if Michelle Kwan couldn't do it except here in the States nobody else could either, including Yuna Kim. We honestly haven't had an international star since Katarina Witt, she transcended all sports & all countries, same as Sonja Henie did in her time. But what would help skating is if we finally had a STAR again here in the States along the lines of Michelle Kwan's appeal. Like it or not, the USA is a beacon for figure skating, if one makes it here in the States one makes it big time, not just in his or hers small country (please see Henie & Witt's examples). And I would add Ekaterina Gordeeva to the list, as well as the brief time Oksana Baiul shone. Right now I don't see anybody on the horizon to transcend figure skating internationally either, even Kira Korpi, yep she has the look, but that's it imho. I seriously don't think she will be the next Anna Kournikova, which is a good thing imho, Kira's personality is much more refined.
So in the end what Phil is saying is nothing new, as long as us die-hards are still here, there will be a market, despite how small. Enjoy what we can, and maybe one day in our lifetime we will get that star that transcends all countries & all sports to make figure skating big again on a global basis (ala Henie & Witt). Jmho of course.
Hersh doesn't write for USA Today, but the Chicago Tribune. He also wasn't at Skate America. He was obviously watching it on the computer. I expect to see him at Nationals. Year after Olympics is always a "rebuilding year," so it's no surprise that it's not the most exciting season. We are a long way from being a power in pairs and that's hardly a surprise. I will have to disagree re Castelli & Snapir. He is a hammer-thrower and she should find another partner. Yankowskas & Coughlin have shown progress. It will be interesting to see what Brubaker and his new partner can do. Hersh doesn't watch dance, and knows zip about it. As for singles, well, let's hope the programs improve.
I thought the quality was lower for the Men than the Ladies yesterday. If not the quality - then certainly the level of excitement.
Hersh writes about SA from last season - and could only cite Rachael's winning LP. Actually, Yuna skated a terrific SP but a poor LP and still won. I don't see how that was any better than this season's SA unless one's idea of excitement is seeing Yuna falling all over the fabled Lake Placid ice.
gkelly reminded me last season that skaters can be far from their best at the GP and for many skaters that would seem to be true this season.
Listening to the Ladies SP press conference Kiira was asked about Mao. She said all athletes have ups and downs and that she was sure Mao would be ready for the more important events later this season. I suspect Kiira is right about Mao and by also pointing out the skaters care more about the events that follow the GP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut9vu7IQnts
Also, Mirai with funny comments about why she loves skating
We are watching the GP - not Natls, Euros or Worlds. Very few skaters can be at their best throughout the entire season. ISU put the GP together to kill competition - and not because any skating expert ever said it was good or natural for skaters to be able to perform at a high level five or more times a season.
We saw Kwan try and ease out of the GP and I would not be surprised if she advised Yuna to save herself for the major events and not risk wrecking her body maintaining a schedule of events that does not seem to promote good skating or even the skater's health.
It is what it is - fun for us fans but very demanding on the skaters.
I read this last week, and except for Skate America, I agree with him. I was actually there at Skate America and had a great time, despite being ill, all because of Rachael Flatt's performance, and to a lesser extent Daisuke Takahashi, both of whom are phenomenal performers in person. And Rach brought the house down with her AWE factor, her charm & personality, but most importantly she was the only one to skate clean with 7 triples & no falls/bobbles/breaks. That alone puts her on a higher sphere than the rest, but more importantly she did it with gusto/determination/personality. Now if she just skated clean without the latter it wouldn't have been so impressive imho. But she really did have it ALL.
Yet I don't think Rachael will be the one to put figure skating back on the map, and she isn't the only one, if Michelle Kwan couldn't do it except here in the States nobody else could either, including Yuna Kim. We honestly haven't had an international star since Katarina Witt, she transcended all sports & all countries, same as Sonja Henie did in her time. But what would help skating is if we finally had a STAR again here in the States along the lines of Michelle Kwan's appeal. Like it or not, the USA is a beacon for figure skating, if one makes it here in the States one makes it big time, not just in his or hers small country (please see Henie & Witt's examples). And I would add Ekaterina Gordeeva to the list, as well as the brief time Oksana Baiul shone. Right now I don't see anybody on the horizon to transcend figure skating internationally either, even Kira Korpi, yep she has the look, but that's it imho. I seriously don't think she will be the next Anna Kournikova, which is a good thing imho, Kira's personality is much more refined.
So in the end what Phil is saying is nothing new, as long as us die-hards are still here, there will be a market, despite how small. Enjoy what we can, and maybe one day in our lifetime we will get that star that transcends all countries & all sports to make figure skating big again on a global basis (ala Henie & Witt). Jmho of course.
The Grand Prix is the only competition which shows off the skaters' abilities in a recurring mode. There is a chance for the skaters to improve on a first comp. Why not? and the viewer is happy to see how a skater can battle to make the Finals.
The Naionals are a competition (a one-time shot) to earn a spot at the Worlds.
The Worlds, the most prestigious comp (a one-time shot) if you are the best skater, you do not necessarily show it in that competition.