Money. Big enough money. TV money.
Period.
Money. Big enough money. TV money.
Period.
It's not going to be the end of the day for anyone to skate twice in the Olympics...
No one would decline to participate in the team event. Can you imagine what kind of backlash would face them when they go back home? I don't think an individual gold could rescue his or her (marketing) image. It's during the Olympics that all kinds of patriotism you didn't know you had climbs out.
Which brings to my point. The idea of a team event is brilliant for the Olympics. Patriotism means rating god. Period. Although I would like to see a format that's actually fair, something like two teams per event, which is never going to happen (because of Japan). I mean, seriously, why discriminate against pairs and dancers?
If a country, for example, Canada fails to qualify a second lady, then they can send one just for the team event. She is probably gonna suck so much that Canada doesn't win anyway. In any case it won't matter. Russia has this one in the bag.
^ I think for the Olympic team event there is only one lady, one man, one pairs team, and one dance team.
For the Team Trophy event, you are probably right about Japan (that is, the corporate sponsors and television networks in Japan that are sponsoriung this made-for-TV event want Japan to have a chance to win). But other countries,too, might find it hard to field two pairs teams and two dance teams.
For the Olympics, maybe Joannie Rochette will come back. Canada would have a fighting chance with Chan, Rochette, Virtue and Moir and either Duhamel and Radford or Dube and Wolfe.
I think it is a question of scheduling this event. I think, if the team event is scheduled first before the individual events, I'm 99% sure, that for example Savchenko/Szolkowy will not participate one or two days before their individual event, at least not perform two full programs (SP and LP). I think, the team event is meaningless for them (I am German). If the team event is scheduled last after all single events, it's another case.Originally Posted by noidont
I'd LOVE to see Joannie back on competitive ice, and not just Japan Open. She wouldn't even have to attempt the 3Lutz to be competitive; she could just as successfully attempt:For the Olympics, maybe Joannie Rochette will come back. Canada would have a fighting chance with Chan, Rochette, Virtue and Moir and either Duhamel and Radford or Dube and Wolfe.
3flip+2toe
3loop
2Axel
x3toe+1loop+3Salchow
x3flip
x3Salchow+2toe
x2Axel
Joannie has continued to indicate her interest in the Team event. But what would she have to do to qualify? I think she can just come back because of her Olympic medal.
I am personally hoping that if you compete in singles or pairs dance, you can't compete in the team event, so that more skaters get a chance at an Olympic experience.
Looking ahead to 2014, Reuters got comments from V/M re the Sochi team competition. Excerpts from the wire are below. (I'm posting here in 2012 Team Trophy thread b/c I don't see any Olympic threads yet.)
NICE, France, March 30 | Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:25pm EDT
(Reuters) - Olympic champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir gave a big thumbs up on Friday to the new team figure skating competition that will be introduced at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.
Less than 24 hours after capturing their second ice dance gold medal at the world championships, the couple's eyes lit up at the thought of winning two Olympic titles in Russia.
"It's really exciting. Any chance we have to skate for another Olympic medal, it's amazing," a smiling Virtue told Reuters after enjoying her first stress-free day in Nice.
Moir was even more enthusiastic.
"Step on Olympic ice, be in an Olympic venue, we'll take it. Add three more events, we'll be there for all of them," he grinned. ....
The Canadians admitted they were originally concerned about the team battle taking place before the individual competitions but their coach Marina Zueva helped to ease their worries.
"Originally we had wished it was the reverse (the individual competitions were before the team) but Marina's perspective was that having the team event first would be a great chance for us to get out and feel the Olympic energy, feel the vibe... almost like a warm-up before the individual competition," said Virtue.
Moir added: "Anytime there is an Olympic medal on the line, I'm pretty competitive. I know that I won't be able to sleep at night knowing it was us that lost the gold for Canada. So we're going to do everything we can to give the Canadians the best opportunity to win."
ETA:
I see now that Reuters also reported separately on Mar 29 that the first day of the Sochi figure-skating team event will be the day before(!) the Olympic opening ceremony.
Seems to me that this schedule could bring extra attention to the sport in general as well as to the team event. My hunch is that media outlets will jump at the chance to provide coverage of an official competition -- while they can offer only preview stories for other Olympic sports.
Last edited by golden411; 03-30-2012 at 07:01 PM. Reason: Added that Sochi team event will start before opening ceremony
Do you know which countries will qualify for the World Team Trophy??
Well, now the USFSA has to pick Ashley's partner for the World Team Trophy.
They can't send Czisny to this if they care at all. Best choice at this point is probably Caroline, but anyone else will do.
I really hope Caroline gets to go to this event. I really feel like she didn't get enough credit for her two amazing skates at National's. At least she should get to go to the Teams event. It would help her training costs, and also have one more opportunity to remind the int'l judges of all the improvements she's made.
Per ISU website:
"The results of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2012 determined the six qualifiers for the ISU World Team Trophy in Tokyo, Japan (April 18 to 22). The six teams are Japan (7891 points), Canada (6943 points), Russia (6807 points), USA (6399 points), Italy (5412 points) and France (5214 points)."
Last edited by golden411; 04-01-2012 at 10:51 AM. Reason: Added title + highlighting in bold
It's going to be very interesting to see whom the USFSA decides to send.
Caroline saved the day like Mighty Mouse 3 years ago, and she can do it again.
I think they are 'required' to send their 2 best skaters as determined by world ranking. Technically that's still Ash and Alissa. Does Alissa's terrible performance change anything in terms of the rules? Who is the third best in terms of world ranking? Is it still Mirai?
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