Personally, I love the idea of having a country based team competition one year, and a continent based team competition the next. And I agree with those that say that it should still be held in an Olympic season.
But, if the rules remain the same as they are for this year's edition, then I would prefer to see the TCC scrapped.
I've already passed comment in a few posts earlier in the thread (about 30 pages ago!
), but I think now would be a good time to re-visit what I said.
Firstly, there are not enough teams. And the rules are too restrictive in what countries are allowed into each of the teams.
There may not be many of them competing internationally, and they may not be high enough in the World Standings to be in consideration at the moment. But it is just not right that South American and Australian skaters are not even eligible.
If the Aussies keep progressing at the rate they currently are, in a few years time, I could see them as genuine contenders for a spot in the country-based team competitions. So it is not fair that the current rules for the TCC mean they are not eligible for consideration for the Asian team.
A few days ago, I posted my latest "
little project", in which I divided up the figure skating world into 4 regions. Well, in a
previous comment in this thread, I used those same 4 regions as suggestions for Team names.
Although, after the controversy over which countries are Eastern European and which are not, I am having second thoughts over having 2 separate European teams!
I agree with the principle of 2 team members being chosen based on the World Standings, and the remaining member being chosen by the Team Captain. But, I hate the public vote element (see
this comment)
At the time I first found out about it, I hated the public vote because I thought it would just turn into a popularity contest. But, if people on here are correct, it has actually turned into something more sinister. Trying to get particular skaters into other teams to help give their own team a better chance.
Maybe I'm not cynical enough (I'm one of those people that doesn't believe that tactical voting happens at the Eurovision Song Contest - it is just neighbouring countries having similar tastes in music), but I'm not so sure if this is actually what is happening. But if it is, then I am disgusted that "fans" of the sport would even think of doing it, never mind actually doing it. And, more than that, if this is the case, then I am ashamed to be called a fan as well.
In summary, the TCC is a great idea in principle, but the rules they have come up with have really spoiled it. And in more ways than I would have thought was possible.
CaroLiza_fan
. I don't think we will be able to have influence on the outcome regarding our own skaters. All will rely on Japan... and S.Korean Radionova fans 
(27% is not bad given the nature of voting for this event)
