State of US Ladies in skating III: 2014-15 Season

[Jammers]

Mariah is the Kaetlyn Osmond of the US. She just lights up the arena when she skates and you can see how much she enjoys it.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Mariah is the Kaetlyn Osmond of the US. She just lights up the arena when she skates and you can see how much she enjoys it.

:yes:

 

[concorde]

FWIW, being a member of the Scholastic Academic Team provides a scholarship ($2,500 in 2015, per this year's application:

I was told by a parent of a US Olympic figure skater that the amount USFS pays to support a skates is incrediably low. My guess is that it takes well over $100,000 (probably closer to $200,000) to support a US elite skater. So that $2500 "scholarship" listed above only covers about a week of skating costs for an elite level skater. That leaves another 51 weeks of the year needing funding. Very few families can pay that for one year, let alone sustain that for several years in a row.

Figure skating is a money and time pit for a family. A kid has gotten love it for the family to support them.

For a child to make it in the US, the family has to be very well off financially, the child has to have a passion for skating, they have to access to good coaching, AND they need a bit a luck. Without that combination, the child will not succeed. No wonder the US pool is relatively small. Very few families are crazy enough to venture down that path.

 

[Shani]

That is an academic scholarship for college, not the team funding. Your estimate is a little high on the costs but many athletes coach too to get free ice time from the rink. Many rinks donate some ice time to elite skaters as their basic skills membership goes up when a really good skater is training at that rink. No denying it is a very expensive sport.

 

[concorde]

Not to be difficult, but I don't know of a single serious competitor that also teach lessons. All the ones that I know are focusing on their career and they use all the available ice time to practice. And those skaters do spend over $100k a year. But I also live in a very expensive area so that figures into the costs that the parents tell me. Now once those serious competitors "retire," then they give lessons.

 

[Tavi...]

:yes:

Yikes but hopefully she stays healthier! I love her.

 

[Tavi...]

Not to be difficult, but I don't know of a single serious competitor that also teach lessons. All the ones that I know are focusing on their career and they use all the available ice time to practice. And those skaters do spend over $100k a year. But I also live in a very expensive area so that figures into the costs that the parents tell me. Now once those serious competitors "retire," then they give lessons.

I think Jason Brown has taught kids at the rink where he trains - maybe Jordan Moeller also, not sure.

 

[StitchMonkey]

I think Jason Brown has taught kids at the rink where he trains - maybe Jordan Moeller also, not sure.

Was going to add Jason to this until I saw yours. I recall he teaches kids classes, but not one on one coaching.

As for Jordan, pretty sure he works as a waiter, so he is working at least. Maybe flashing a smile and "I'm a figure skater" makes good tips.

 

[flutzy13]

Not to be difficult, but I don't know of a single serious competitor that also teach lessons. All the ones that I know are focusing on their career and they use all the available ice time to practice. And those skaters do spend over $100k a year. But I also live in a very expensive area so that figures into the costs that the parents tell me. Now once those serious competitors "retire," then they give lessons.

I can think of several serious competitors who taught lessons or held part time jobs. Castelli and Shnapir both had several students up through 2014 Nationals. Their students were there cheering them on. As did Rockne Brubaker during all his partnerships. Felicia Zhang worked at J Crew and Nate Bartholomay waited until tables until shortly before the Olympics. I believe John Coughlin taught lessons and had another job at the. Olympic Training Center. Chris Knierim works part time as a mechanic. Ashley Wagner worked at the GAP until she started making enough on the GP circuit that it made sense to quit.

 

[Amei]

Pogorilaya deserved to place off podium at Rostelecom and so did Lipnitskaia at cup of China.

Lipnitskaia was aided by the poor performance of the majority of the ladies at CoC, whether in the SP or FS, she skated a really good SP that gave her some cushion to the bad FS she had.

 

[Hyena]

No disrespect to anyone else but I'm really pulling for these two!!

So glad they are doing well and hopefully Mariah can nail it at Golden Spin!!!

Me too! Mariah has my favorite short program of the year, across all disciplines

 

[StitchMonkey]

Ashley Wagner worked at the GAP until she started making enough on the GP circuit that it made sense to quit.

I thought it was Lucky Brand?

 

[concorde]

I also know of several serious competitors that held part-time jobs. My earlier comment was that I was not aware of any elite skater that taught ice skating lessons (on a regular basis, not just helping out occasionally during a LTS session) at the same time they were actively competing at the elite level - But you all commented that there are a handful that pulled it off. That is truly amazing!

My understanding is that training costs (on and off-ice lessons and ice time) are only part of the entire budget. Once you hit a certain level, the dresses can run $5k and then you have the costs of travel (domestic and international) for both you and your coach. And you also need to pay your coach for all their time they are traveling with you.

 

[Amei]

Once you hit a certain level, the dresses can run $5k

There are ways around that, go for less glitzy costumes and don't do the designer-name costumes, ex. Sasha Cohen had a Badgley Mischka costume - gorgeous but probably cost her thousands of dollars. I believe Peggy Fleming's mother made her costumes.

 

[StitchMonkey]

I found a copy of Mariah Bell's SP on youtube. It is just a fan cam, but still, it is a great program.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Pogorilaya deserved to place off podium at Rostelecom and so did Lipnitskaia at cup of China.

I agree much as I like Yulia and Anna.

 

[flutzy13]

I thought it was Lucky Brand?

You are likely right. Perhaps another skater worked at the Gap? I don't know why I had that in my mind.

 

[StitchMonkey]

You are likely right. Perhaps another skater worked at the Gap? I don't know why I had that in my mind.

It is sorta generic for jean's store

 

[Scovies]

I also know of several serious competitors that held part-time jobs. My earlier comment was that I was not aware of any elite skater that taught ice skating lessons (on a regular basis, not just helping out occasionally during a LTS session) at the same time they were actively competing at the elite level - But you all commented that there are a handful that pulled it off. That is truly amazing!

My understanding is that training costs (on and off-ice lessons and ice time) are only part of the entire budget. Once you hit a certain level, the dresses can run $5k and then you have the costs of travel (domestic and international) for both you and your coach. And you also need to pay your coach for all their time they are traveling with you.

Does U.S. Figure Skating not pay for travel to Grand Prix events or Worlds? Holy crap, that's ridiculous.

 

[Mrs. P]

Does U.S. Figure Skating not pay for travel to Grand Prix events or Worlds? Holy crap, that's ridiculous.

Per the ISU announcement for Grand Prix: http://static.isu.org/media/150938/gp-general-announcement-2014_15_final.pdf

The Organizing Member will pay travel expenses based on economy airfare rate for all Competitors invited to
its ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event, for all Judges invited, from their domicile to the event and return.
The travel expenses of the Referees, Technical Controllers, Technical Specialists and the Data & Replay
Operators are covered by the ISU.ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2014/15

Skaters/Judges, who wish to purchase their air tickets directly or made other individual travel arrangements
must first have a confirmation from the Organizing Committee concerning the acceptance of the travel costs.
For the Technical Panel, these should have the confirmation of the ISU before purchasing their tickets.
The Organizing Member will pay accommodation and meal expenses for all Competitors, Judges, Referees,
Technical Specialists, Technical Controllers and Data & Replay Operators from dinner on the day preceding
the first official practice through breakfast on the day after the Exhibition. This period may be extended due to
individual flight arrangements.
If a Skater/Couple (seeded or non-seeded) does not finish an event, that Skater/Couple’s Member is
obligated to cover the expenses for travel, accommodation and meals for the Skater/Couple and for
the Judge (if applicable), if the Judge is not working in another panel

So the skaters are covered, but not the coaches, under this provision.

As for Worlds: http://isuprod.blob.core.windows.net/media/165969/wc2015_announcement_final.pdf

All expenses for accommodation and meals for all Competitors participating in the Championships will be
covered by the Organizing Committee during the period beginning with dinner on Sunday, March 22,
2015 and ending with lunch on Monday, March 30, 2015.
b) All expenses for accommodation and meals for one (1) Team Leader for each participating Member in
the Championships will be covered by the Organizing Committee during the period beginning with dinner
on Sunday, March 22, 2015 and ending with lunch on Monday, March 30, 2015.
c) All expenses for accommodation and meals for Technical Controllers, Technical Specialists and Data &
Replay Operators will be covered by the Organizing Committee during the period beginning with dinner
on Sunday, March 22, 2015 and ending with lunch on Monday, March 30, 2015.
d) All expenses for accommodation and meals for Referees and Judges will be covered by the Organizing
Committee during the period as listed below:
 Referees: from lunch on Monday, March 23 and ending with lunch on Monday, March 30, 2015,
 Judges Pairs and Ice Dance: from lunch on Monday, March 23 and ending with lunch on Monday,
March 30, 2015,
 Judges Ladies: from lunch on Tuesday, March 24 and ending with lunch on Monday, March 30,
2015,
 Judges Men: from lunch on Wednesday, March 25 and ending with lunch on Monday, March 30,
2015.
Should any Competitor, Team Leader or Official arrive at the Hotel before the time indicated above or stay
longer, the costs for accommodation and meals are at the burden of the user. A credit card or cash deposit is
required on arrival for security and other incidental (i.e. telephone, movies, etc.) charges. If there are no
expenses or damages to the room, cash deposit will be returned to the guest on departure.
It is the responsibility of the participating Members to make the necessary travel plans and arrangements for
their Skaters.
All extra expenses incurred by any Competitor or any kind of Official will be the responsibility of the individual
and must be paid prior to departure.
The Organizing Committee requests that, for all Team Members whose accommodation expenses are not
covered by the Organizing Committee as outlined above, a pre-payment (deposit) to guarantee the availability
of required rooms has to be made. Please use the official forms received with the first Information Letter for
booking and calculation. The pre-payment (50% of the total amount) must be made by November 8, 2014.
The terms of payment for the remainder will be published well in time by the Organizing Committee.

Again expenses cover the competitor but not the coach.