Like a litte Variety in Amateur figure skating.

[enlight78]

I the figure skating compitions are the same. From the grand prix to nationals to internatiol and worlds compititions it is the same requirements. Everyone skates a short, a long and the highest total win. I'ld like to see compititions where skater only skate the short program and compititions where skater only skate the long program. I'ld like to see compitions were skaters team up in twos so that one can skate the short and the other the long. In tennis all the major championships are different. One is played on rebound ace, another clay, the othe grass, and another hard court. That makes each one different and stand out. I think it would be nice if all the little grand prix events were slightly different and special. I think nationals, 4cc, European Championships needs to be in the same format as worlds; because the atheletes need some practice events leading up to worlds. What do you gals and guys think?

 

[Tinymavy15]

i think it would be intersting. I would really enjoy that, so we coudl see where the skaters strengths and weakness are and it would give skater that shine only in the short etc (like alissa cziny) to be champion.

 

[flying camel]

I would like the World Championships to include a team competition after the regular competition ends. Or even to hold a seperate team competition. I think that would be fun. :agree:

 

[Wolfgang]

One of the rinks in town has a larger surface and 'harder' ice than the other ('cause it's colder inside). One is also way darker than the other.

This reminds me of a 'Far Side' type cartoon called 'Extreme Figure Skating' I saw in a book. The coach and the very frightened looking skater are standing rinkside, the coach telling the skater something like "Just do your program and ignore him."
The rink consists of ice floes, there's a polar bear sitting on the center one......

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

From my observations, few skaters can manage both SP and LP. Had there only been a LP, Daisuke would have been the World Champion.

Joe

 

[blue dog]

I think that would be a great idea--similar to what gymnastics, and what ISIA (Ice Skating Institute of America) utilize--separate contests for both short and long, and then an all-around champion in the end. A team contest would be nice, because we could then include more than three skaters per team (back in the day, the US once sent FOUR skaters to worlds in a given discipline). Perhaps add the interpretive free skate, and the improvisational free...

Just a thought--but I doubt Chihuahua would go for this.

 

[gkelly]

Remember the interpretive competitions the ISU was promoting around the late 90s?

Maybe instead of making them invitational for interested pros and current top competitors, and letting the rules allow watered-down long programs, they could change the rules for the programs to reward interpretation and actual skating skills more than jumps, maybe not allow triple/quad jumps at all, and make it a separate qualifying track from regular singles. With, eventually, world championships held in conjunction with the existing ones or at a separate date and location.

It would be another discipline, separate from singles freestyle, pairs, and dance, but any skater is free to compete in more than one discipline, just as some pair and dance skaters continue to compete in singles, etc. Their results in one discipline would have no bearing on their eligibility for qualifying competitions in another.


Another idea I like would be to get rid of the short program and replace it with a shorter jump program, spin program (both without music, just four required jump elements and four required spins linked with connecting steps and judged on the elements only including their entrances and exits), and skating skills program (to music). Each would have its own winners, and the combined results could determine overall standings to advance to the free program.

Not sure how that would work for pairs though. One program for side-by-side moves and another for pair moves, possibly split between lifts and non-lifts?

 

[enlight78]

Another idea I like would be to get rid of the short program and replace it with a shorter jump program, spin program (both without music, just four required jump elements and four required spins linked with connecting steps and judged on the elements only including their entrances and exits), and skating skills program (to music). Each would have its own winners, and the combined results could determine overall standings to advance to the free program.

Not sure how that would work for pairs though. One program for side-by-side moves and another for pair moves, possibly split between lifts and non-lifts?

I not sure what your saying but I think Iike it. I just think it would be easier braking singles and pairs compitition into three segments.
Singles: Jump program(no music), Non-Jump program(no music),Free Skate(with music)
Pairs: Side by side moves (no music ,spins, spirals,step sequence,jumps), Pair moves(no music, lifts, twists, throws, compination spin),Free Skate(with music)

 

[Petlover]

I not sure what your saying but I think Iike it. I just think it would be easier braking singles and pairs compitition into three segments.
Singles: Jump program(no music), Non-Jump program(no music),Free Skate(with music)
Pairs: Side by side moves (no music ,spins, spirals,step sequence,jumps), Pair moves(no music, lifts, twists, throws, compination spin),Free Skate(with music)

This sounds like an excellent idea! To add to it, since there are jump and spin sections, the jumps and spins in the freestyle program should be severely limited - maybe 2 or 3 of each - and other things like interpretation, artistry, spirals, footwork, edges, etc. should be highlighted and given very high point values.

 

[blue dog]

I'm also thinking that instead of banning the short, there should be a compulsories short--where everyone performs the same simpler moves than what we see now. We may not see many falls (thank goodness!) but we will see technique and proper edging--see who uses an edge during their spiral, or lands on an inside edge in their jumps, or how these people perform those turns (choctaws, brackets, mohawks, and the like).

 

[sheilagh]

I like that last suggestion ... sort of like the compulsory dances. We'd then get a real good comparison ... especially since there are skaters who are really good at the big tricks, but have poor technique.

That's a great idea !!

 

[jennylovskt]

I'm also thinking that instead of banning the short, there should be a compulsories short--where everyone performs the same simpler moves than what we see now. We may not see many falls (thank goodness!) but we will see technique and proper edging--see who uses an edge during their spiral, or lands on an inside edge in their jumps, or how these people perform those turns (choctaws, brackets, mohawks, and the like).

Love the compulsory short program idea! Who will get high scores in such programs? I bet Johnny Weir will be the number one in men's! In Ladies, If Sasha were here, she would be the first. Without her, I don't know. Maybe Kim.

 

[gio]

I think that you guys have a lot of good ideas!!!
ISU needs to make some changes. All it will be more and more exciting with the ideas you brought up!!!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

In Compulsory Dance - the Rhumba - there are two big choctaws in the pattern. Watching those moves told me a lot about the couples.

Joe

 

[Alsace]

I wonder if they could set up the compulsory jump event like the ski jump event - two tries and average them or like the shotput event - four attempts and the best counts.

 

[gsrossano]

I will just toss in here, most of the ideas discussed above are put into use at local USFSA competitions. There is also a national showcase competition for show/artistic programs.

 

[blue dog]

I wonder if they could set up the compulsory jump event like the ski jump event - two tries and average them or like the shotput event - four attempts and the best counts.

We used to have a separate top jump competition. I think it worked well, to tell you the truth, but after its third year, they stopped having it.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

We have a lot young fans who are awed by figure skating and they will object to any notion of eliminating the SP. I believe their feelings for figure skating is to watch anything without regard to Sport.

The SP, imo, has outlived its usefulness with the CoP. The Free Skate is no longer Free since certain requirements are a must, not unlike the SP.

What's a fan going to do? I like the compulsory view that a tune be selected in July for every skater to use for a 2.4 minutes performance. Let the skaters do their thing. Requirements would be 3 jumps including combos or sequenced one of which must be executed after 1.2 minutes.
.
3 basic spins: sitsspin all the way down; camel with free leg above the horizontal to the ice, and a convoluted spin to amuse the crowd.

Moves in Field and Footwork to be included. Spirals optional.

I think the above would definitely show how good the basics are with CoP scores very clear. And it would be a good warm up to the Long.

I guess I could dream on.

Joe

 

[enlight78]

I think it would be nice if European championships, 4CC, and Worlds just came together to for three different world championships. Europeans will be base on gkelly's idea or compulsories. 4CC and be a team event, each county send one or two teams a (made of two skaters) for each discipline. One skate the short, the other skate the long(Best team Yu Na short, Mao Long; Takahasi short, Joubert Long; I know they're not from the same country.). World championships would be your regular short program, long pragram event. Three world champioships has to be better than one. I bet more top skaters would enter 4CC.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I'm not in favor of a Team Championship. That is what the Olys are all about and only because the media puts the results in the news. Also non democratic nations worry about having the best teams which takes away from the individuality of the contestants.

How do you rate of Team Score with US having 15 entries and Switzerland having 4. US has a bronze medal; Switzerland has a bronze medal.

Joe