TEB is Cancelled

[creaturelover]

Some of the people earlier in this thread were acting as though this attack was nothing but an inconvenience to the sport. Yes, it sucks that the event was cancelled, but we need to remember why - hundreds of people were killed and there is an ongoing threat of terrorism not only in France but around the world. I, personally, support the decision to cancel as I'd rather see my favorites only skate the SP than be in serious danger. .

No one ever acted as if this was an inconviencience; this was a horrible event and the cancellation is completely understandable. There was never any arguement that cancelling was the right thing to do and I take great offense to your implication that members of this thread do not care about the innocent lives lost in Paris.

 

[Jaana]

Horrible tragedy, I feel for the innocent victims and their families... So hard to believe that something like this can happen!!! It was a right decision to cancel TEB under the circumstances, in my opinion.

 

[4everchan]

wow.. i come back from other activities to find out that this thread is still going strong.... I am thinking that we should all take 1 hour of SILENCE on this thread and dedicate our thoughts to the victims and people affected by this tragedy...

 

[MaiKatze]

All the short programs happened as planned. It's unfortunate but the cancellation of the event was the right decision, imho. As I said, the good news is - the short programs happened. So like others mentioned, often in other sports the second event gets cancelled and the winner is the one of the first. This should happen here as well. I think all other solutions make no sense, like adding season's best LP's scores, or even make the skaters compete at another event. They all had their chance at the short program, it's not like the whole event did not happen. Imho, the short program scores should count and that's it.

 

[gsk8]

Here is GS article by Ted Flett who is on site.

 

[jenaj]

Well, that would unquestionably disqualify Tuktamysheva. And it would not majorly affect Ice Dance.

Sure. But, let's be real, if the World Series had been played in only five inning games this year, the Mets would have won, 4 games to 1.

But it would be even less fair to count the game as finished after three innings (one-third).

 

[semosk8tfan]

So, with the world in such a mess right now, do you think that next week's events (Russia and Tallin) will go on as planned? I am going to guess that travel all over Europe is going to be affected. And we aren't even sure how long it will take to safely get the TEB skaters home, let alone to the next event.

 

[eta]

All the short programs happened as planned. It's unfortunate but the cancellation of the event was the right decision, imho. As I said, the good news is - the short programs happened. So like others mentioned, often in other sports the second event gets cancelled and the winner is the one of the first. This should happen here as well. I think all other solutions make no sense, like adding season's best LP's scores, or even make the skaters compete at another event. They all had their chance at the short program, it's not like the whole event did not happen. Imho, the short program scores should count and that's it.

I totally agree with this.

This is TEB, and it only makes sense that TEB results are used, and that means the SP scores determine the standings.

It may not be fair, but I think this is the most fair option.

 

[solani]

Baseball games that get suspended because of rain don't count unless the are past the 5th inning (half-way). Skating events are not half finished after the short program.

Yes, but baseball has rules for that. I don't remember a skating event that had to be stopped. I know that after the plane crash in 1961, where the U.S. figure skating team died the World Championships were cancelled. And because there are no rules I guess all national associations have to agree to a solution. This could take a while, but I don't think it's really that important. GP Final is fun and great and we all want our favourite skaters to attend, but it's not as important for them as Europeans, 4CC and Worlds. The easiest solution obviously is to use the result from the SP and they'll probably just do that. I wouldn't expect them to come up with a complicated solution within the next couple of days.

 

[senatormls]

I can understand that emotions are raw at this time in France, but to begin to cancel events and daily life just gives these terrorists more fire. To capitulate like this to them is to say these terrorists have won and achieved their goal: to spread fear and interrupt laymen's lives. Another point: to cancel an event like figure skating gives an impression that the sport is insignificant. I'm sure that other events were cancelled, just proving my first point. Sure many will tell me about showing respect for the losses and so forth, but crimes like this happen every day in all parts of the world.
I have to go back to 2011 here in Norway when Anders Breivik went beserk in Oslo and with Utøya island students. He now sits in a rather pampered cell with access to a computer and a chance to further his education. He has recently complained about his isolation and other conditions during his imprisonment. In some ways he still won.. and many communtities have struggled with the idea with memorial statues that stand forgotten.
Think about this folks, a cinema shooting spree in Colorado, another shooting in a shopping center in Kenya and a hostage situation in the Phillippines.. Crime is everywhere and the folks responsible have a myriad of 'passionate' causes and reasons behind these attacks. Skating, walking in the park and daily life should never take a back seat to these thugs. Life is for living and not to be spent in fear. Marching and protesting is a way to battle these fears but to allow daily life as we know it continue is even better.
Back to FS, I think the ISU willl make a decision concerning these SP results and allow these talented and hard working skaters CONTINUE their achievements!

 

[skatesofgold]

Sure. But, let's be real, if the World Series had been played in only five inning games this year, the Mets would have won, 4 games to 1.

And KC played like that all year. Yet, if they lost a game that was called after the 5th for whatever reason this season, fans accepted it. So easily that I can't tell you if it happened or not. It probably did.

By the way, halfway is the middle of the 4th.

Perhaps if the ISU goes with SP results, it can be a reminder to skaters and coaches that the SP does indeed count.

This is trivial, but halfway through 9 innings is the middle of the 5th, hence 4 and a 1/2. The middle of the 4th inning is 3 1/2.

 

[Kenyie]

What is this nonsense I see on social media outlets about "letting the terrorists win" by canceling the event? It's only been 12 hours since France has gone through one of its worst disasters in decades. Safety concerns should obviously trump a skating competition regardless of whether it's "fair" or not when you take a silly final into account. The authorities haven't even confirmed whether all the perpetrators have been caught or killed.

I am disheartened by so many of the posts here.

Over at 130 people have died, and yet people are worried and angry about the Grand Prix Final results?

I love figure skating as much as the next person, but I think those crying "lack of fairness" need to consider perspective. The families of those whose lives were lost don't have the luxury of worrying about whether Patrick Chan "got a fair shake."

 

[wokulski]

I hope ISU will return the money

 

[yyyskate]

I am disheartened by so many of the posts here.

Over at 130 people have died, and yet people are worried and angry about the Grand Prix Final results?

I love figure skating as much as the next person, but I think those crying "lack of fairness" need to consider perspective. The families of those whose lives were lost don't have the luxury of worrying about whether Patrick Chan "got a fair shake."

Condolence for France and victims has nothing to do with people trying to think of better solution about figure skating here. All posts here prayed for France and wished all skaters in TEB could come back safely. And please do not single out Patrick. At it shows in GS article, his heart is with France. never mentioned GPF chance at all.

except for praying for France, what else can people here do for them really. Think of a better solution for future life (figure skating here) is actually doing something useful.

 

[vivley]

Another article with photo and quotes from skaters:

Trophée Bompard cancelled after terror attacks

Most skaters were completely devastated.

"I went to bet at 8:30 last night and slept through the night. This morning, when I connected to my computer, I was horrified," French skater Maé Bérénice Méité said. "I went to practice, but I must say that it was not easy."

Chan, with his usual kindness, gave his condolences and best wishes to Gailhaguet and Eric Bompard, the main sponsor of the event.

"This kind of an event puts life in perspective," Chan added.

 

[Lys]

Italian Eurosport commentator, Massimiliano Ambesi, proposes another solution to the GP standings issue: https://twitter.com/max_ambesi/status/665565300134420480

 

[Kenyie]

Condolence for France and victims has nothing to do with people trying to think of better solution about figure skating here. All posts here prayed for France and wished all skaters in TEB could come back safely. And please do not single out Patrick. At it shows in GS article, his heart is with France. never mentioned GPF chance at all.

Others on this site did mention Patrick, but insert any other TEB skater if the mere mention disturbs you.

Once again, let's keep our eyes on the larger prize! A better solution for a GPF is just not relevant right now.

Honestly, I encourage you read back these posts and see how myopic they are. Those who are "angered" about Phil Hersh's thoughts need to think long and hard about what's important: life or figure skating.

 

[andromache]

I don't think there's anything wrong with discussing the potential ramifications of TEB's cancellation and the GPF. In some ways, it is preferable to sitting around reading depressing news. It's more emotionally tolerable. Go away, Phil Hersh. People are still allowed to talk about their interests even during a tragedy. It's a coping mechanism.

But the outrage and complaints of "unfairness" in this thread are really too much, IMO. Whatever the ISU decides we'll have to live with it, and it's ultimately just a figure skating competition. It's not people dying in a terrorist attack, like, you know, is an actual issue. TEB and GPF are just figure skating competitions. And heck, they aren't even on the scale of the World Championships. No one's life or even their skating career is on the line. Denis Ten skates badly at every GP event and his career is still great, he's a multiple-time World medalist and Olympic medalist. Max, Liza, Patrick, and all the other GPF frontrunners whose chances may be hurt depending on what the ISU decides to do will still get to skate and compete in other events this season.

I also cannot believe that people are suggesting the GP series be canceled. Unless further global events make the GP events impossible, this suggestion is just ludicrous. It's tantamount to throwing a temper tantrum and saying "WELL THE TERRORISTS MADE IT UNFAIR FOR MYYYYY FAVORITES, SO NO ONE GETS TO COMPETE NOW."

 

[Krunchii]

I don't think there's any shame in certain skaters or teams not making the GPF due to the SP result (if they choose to use that), these were extraordinary circumstances and it would be very hard to make it fair. Even if they do add on another FS portion at another event it would still be unfair, skaters and teams would have to interrupt their training and travel again, maybe to Japan where the time difference is even bigger. I think if Patrick or Max don't make it I would still be proud of them and support them.

 

[qwertyskates]

I am disheartened by so many of the posts here.

Over at 130 people have died, and yet people are worried and angry about the Grand Prix Final results?

I love figure skating as much as the next person, but I think those crying "lack of fairness" need to consider perspective. The families of those whose lives were lost don't have the luxury of worrying about whether Patrick Chan "got a fair shake."

It's a non sequitur, this thread will not make the tragedy in Paris better or worse, we all set aside this time to watch the FS, it's cancelled, and instead of saying oh well "tant pis!" bye skaters we hung around and talked about our distress about the terrorism in Paris and about the fate of the skaters at TEB. We commiserate with Paris and also TEB, it's natural for those who care.

Back to topic, it looks like the decision has been made and SP it will be. Personally, I think it isn't a fair decision and am disappointed.