I love figure skating. But this team figure skating event was a glorious waste of time.
The event was introduced to the Olympics this year, presumably as a way to grab more viewers and give athletes another chance to win a medal. Over time, its presence might encourage countries to build stronger skating programs across all disciplines to increase medal hopes. All noble reasons in theory, but there have been some problems with it in practice.
Castelli and Shnapir got personal bests in both segments. Davis and White got a personal best in the LP. Peng & Zhang got one in the SP. Gracie got a PB in the LP. There probably were others, too, but those are the ones I remember.I am just curious that all team russia got personal best some point and none of the others did..except kostner
and they have to get rid of all those kiss & cries with flag waving teammates.
That's the best thing about the team event, grandpa! It's supposed to be about team spirit, camaraderie and all that crap.
The biggest problem with figure skating is that it tries so hard to be 'distinguished' that it alienates casual viewers and becomes very stale and yawn-inducing in the process.
We need people screaming, going mental, waving flags - showing some Dionysian hysteria. That's what sport is supposed to be about!
What needs to happen is each skater who sits there stone-faced and blase, should get clubbed over the head with a big cane by Sissy Krick.
Or you could also reward proper attitude. Team Germany should have got a bonus on the PE for the cowbell.
That's the best thing about the team event, grandpa! It's supposed to be about team spirit, camaraderie and all that crap.
The biggest problem with figure skating is that it tries so hard to be 'distinguished' that it alienates casual viewers and becomes very stale and yawn-inducing in the process.
We need people screaming, going mental, waving flags - showing some Dionysian hysteria. That's what sport is supposed to be about!
What needs to happen is each skater who sits there stone-faced and blase, should get clubbed over the head with a big cane by Sissy Krick.
Or you could also reward proper attitude. Team Germany should have got a bonus on the PE for the cowbell.
Isn't that what we have pro sports for? Can't us people who like THE ACTUAL SPORT have SOMETHING?
I can see it now, tailgating at Nationals, drunken fans, maybe we can even wear face paint the color of our favorite skater's costume. Then we can start beating to death fans of skaters we don't like. That's what they do in my town if someone shows up with an opposing team jersey.
I enjoyed the team event FAR more than I thought I would. It was great seeing the skaters rooting for each other, and I enjoyed it up to the end even after the placements were already solidified. However, I must admit as a skating fan this is just a hair too much skating for me for two weeks. I find I'm wishing I did not have to pay the opportunity cost of watching this much skating over the course of that many days. When there was only the regular non-team competition, there was usually a day between each skating event throughout the entire Olympics. This month, I didn't follow the Yukon Quest or the Westminster Dog Show like I usually do -- I'd already spent enough hours online and in front of the TV watching sports. Last night, I didn't watch the men's on TV. And I may just wait and youtube in upcoming weeks a few key performances from the dance and ladies. I can't believe I'm considering this, but I am. Am I the only fan overexposed? Or is more better for most people? Very interested in hearing people's thoughts.