You mean a different course from the current, but the same as before, especially with regards to scoring system?Originally Posted by Mathman
You mean a different course from the current, but the same as before, especially with regards to scoring system?
I don't know.
Bianchetti's two big passions were (and remain) eliminating cronyism and politicking from ISU judging, and developing the artistic side of the sport with a view toward attracting bigger audiences, especially on television.
During her long crusade at ISU headquarter she never made nuch headway on the first. (Althgough she believed that ISU President Jacques Favart was an honest person, unlike his predessessor James Koch. She writes in her book "Thin Ice" that when she first came into the sport as a judge Koch told her outright in no uncertain terms who she was supposed to vote for.)
On developing figure skating as a television-friendly performing art/sport, she spearheaded the movement -- eventually successful -- to eliminate figures.
She also supported the World Skating Federation in 2002. That organization's raison d'etre was to address the problem of crooked judging. It is impossible to guess what tack Mrs. Bianchetti would have taken if things had worked out differently. Certainly she does not believe now that the CoP produces better-judged competitions or encourages greater honesty and competence in the judging ranks.
Sonia's book was titled "Cracked Ice" published in 2004. Compulsory Figures was eliminated because most of the smaller countries simply didn't have ice in the summer and it took a lot of extra $$$ and time for the skaters to work on an aspect of the sport that was continuing to be seen as "unnecessary" with regard to the financial return (read TV wasn't interested). I don't know what Sonia's plans were to change the sport after 2002 as she doesn't really give any idea in her book. The World Skating Federation was doomed from the beginning. I was there at that first press conference. The WSF wanted to replace the ISU as the official skating body in the IOC. The WSF had no money at the time around $200,000. It was ridiculous to think that it could supplant the ISU who had many millions (and still do) as well as a very long history in the sport. I think judging has improved under COP because of the addition of the technical specialists and improved teaching seminars. I still don't llike the "secrecy" aspect of the judging panels, but maybe one day with older judges retiring and younger ones supplanting them, it will become more open. Cinquanta will be retiring soon. It will be interesting to see who takes his place.
^^^
Very informative post!! Much of elimination of School Figures was for monetary reasons, but I would add that adding a mini Free Skate to replace it took an improvement in the monetary factor.
Unfortunately, the ISU had the money to fight off the WSF by demanding that skaters who enrolled in the WSF would not be part of the ISU and therefore lots of media contracts woud be foresaken. The skaters had no choice. I think it would be advantageous to have WSF and an ISU with their respective champions skating for the Crown of the World - not unlike other sports having two leagues.
Cinquanta is actually more bareable now since he got hit with the OIC. I would appreciate more, if he would loosen up on the secrecy.
Figure Skating does not have enough skaters and/or TV money to support two leagues like baseball, football, etc. unless you just have a pro league vs an eligible league, which is what the pro-am was supposed to achieve but was only successful for a few years.
It seems that ProAms have disappeared as did School Figures. When they were active, I do believe they were competitive. They just didn't produce enough profits for the media which is what has happened to competitive figure skating.
American tastes in Performing Arts are a changing! Pop singing celebs, Opera singing celebs, carry the interests of the country. American Idol is a case in point even without its nasty judge. Maybe its because the peoples vote is important. I dunno.
Do you have any guesses? David Dore is almost as old as Cinquanta, so I assume that he would not be in the running.
It's a little early yet, haven't heard any gossip about potential successors.
Did you have to go to the protocols for Patrick and Taka? The Gold and Silver were quite obvious under the old system as well. While the Bronze worked for the results, but there were enough questions raised to consider the new system not up to a better decision. There is nothing wrong about questioning or suggesting. Bianchetti has that right. Anyone can agree or disagree with her. That is anyone's right.
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