Sorry I didn't manage to get any of them in costume, they were moving on ice and then changed after.
Gracie:
Bradie:
If they ever post one of my reports on FB I will pitch a fit.TSL posted your reports on Facebook
Back in the olden days when I was a skater, 'news' of who was landing what still leaked out, and probably more than it leaks today. AND, the poster didn't post any actual program video, so me thinks it is probably okay. I really wish that the US would hold an event style 'test skates' like Russia does-maybe build some interest in the sport. Not for nothing, but without Mariah and Karen, it looks to be a pretty bleak year for the American ladies- even without the Russians taking the top slots.It's basically true that Champs Camp is closed to outsiders watching, but I also don't think they can simply kick people out of a facility in this day and age. That being said, isn't the DSC a private facility, and thus able to keep high-profile USFSA-related work private?
This is not meant as a personal attack, by the way. Don't know who you are or anything. And information is always interesting.
However, it is definitely frowned upon to take video of skaters training that aren't your own kids. Basically not allowed at closed sessions such as these.
My kid is still skating, and has been on sessions at "elite/top facilities" with multiple sheets of ice. Sometimes on the ice with top teams, sometimes on other sheets. Even in passing with two different Champs Camps, by coincidence.
There is a lot that we have tangentially seen over the past four to five years while chasing ice. A lot of speculation on these threads we have some insights to, but cannot speak about due to privacy concerns. I'm always happy when skaters post on their own social medias to confirm things (although I think social media is incredibly harmful in general, and especially problematic for under-18s, although I can see the appeal).
Recently my kid was on a session at a rink training when another party was also on said ice. A small number of parents were there and started filming. And then the gossip/reports started online (it was international skating news driving people nuts). I'm old, so I was a bit shocked that others started filming without compulsion. But privacy issues are a real challenge these days for skaters. I know that skaters/choreographers are taking more care to find private ice at off-times to do some of their work.
It's a very interesting issue. And again, not attacking the other poster here. Just showing that it's hard to balance "training secrets" or the wish to develop programs/levels at a more humane pace for the skater in the face of social media.
(P.S.: we are in the proximity of a couple of skaters/parents who are "leakers," as in, somehow, training schedules and news makes it out to other skaters/parents/coaches of other active competitors. Blows my mind. Where we stand, we stay mum. Our skating Golden Rule is: "Do not leak unto others as you would have them not leak about you." While it keeps our conscious clean, it has also meant that actions taken against us in the past - this is figure skating, people, not the nicest sport by far - have left us vulnerable. Oh well. In the end, talent on the ice is usually recognized.)
Hopefully Bradie, Gracie, Isabeau, and Lindsay -- and others -- have something to say about that.Not for nothing, but without Mariah and Karen, it looks to be a pretty bleak year for the American ladies- even without the Russians taking the top slots.
How many times have I said never count Gracie out? Probably at least 100 times.Hopefully Bradie, Gracie, Isabeau, and Lindsay -- and others -- have something to say about that.
I agree with both things you said, and also understand why USFS would want Champs Camp to be private. I believe there are many easy ways they could make it more restricted.I have always agreed with what I understand to be the idea of Champs Camp: a private space for private feedback.
That said, it is up to the facility to restrict access if they want access restricted. If they haven't sufficiently done so, well
I agree with both things you said, and also understand why USFS would want Champs Camp to be private. I believe there are many easy ways they could make it more restricted.
On the flip side, I do think it gives skaters an easy out to show up underprepared when they know not many people are going to see them. Maybe Champs Camp shouldn’t be easily visible as it’s early in the season, but I do think that there should be more visibility at competitions and maybe some kind of test skates in the US. I often wonder if that would raise our level of competitiveness. It’s almost like we hide out til the GPs and then expect to skate well.
Interesting thoughts and, perhaps, separate issues. First, yes, they can just add a few people to verify credentials so that skaters, coaches and officials can be the ones in the rink, working things out with a certain amount of privacy/focus.I agree with both things you said, and also understand why USFS would want Champs Camp to be private. I believe there are many easy ways they could make it more restricted.
On the flip side, I do think it gives skaters an easy out to show up underprepared when they know not many people are going to see them. Maybe Champs Camp shouldn’t be easily visible as it’s early in the season, but I do think that there should be more visibility at competitions and maybe some kind of test skates in the US. I often wonder if that would raise our level of competitiveness. It’s almost like we hide out til the GPs and then expect to skate well.