- Joined
- Jan 7, 2011
I would give millions of my (humble ) credits any day to those who SURVIVED such a crucial transitional period from 6.0 to COP, successfully TRANSFORMED themselves and WON the big titles under the current system; such as Evgeni Plushenko, Stephane Lambiel, Brian Joubert, Jeffrey Buttle, Evan Lysacek and Daisuke Takahashi.
Let's not forget skaters in other disciplines who did the same. Shizuka Arakawa won her two biggest titles under each of the systems. Irina Slutskaya was massively successful before and after COP. Shen and Zhao. Navka/Kostomarov.
Although, what it boils down to is, the COP/IJS didn't spring up in a vacuum. It was based on existing competitions and the top competitive programs skaters laid out. The things it rewards and emphasizes already exist in 6.0 skating. Some skaters took to it better than others, of course. But the opposite is also true. Buttle may never have had a World title under 6.0. Lysacek may have missed out on his Olympic gold without the COP. The only thing we know for sure is that Plushenko is a Skating God no matter what system is in place.