- Joined
- Jan 12, 2004
^ OK, I have to ask. Does your username refer to the monstrous demon in the Sumerian Gilmagesh epic?
The idea that they are talking about in the comments to the Hersh article are intriguing. Countries could hold events for skaters that are training within that country, of whatever citizenship.
For that matter, are there even any figure skating computer games on the market that could be used? I've never heard of any.
Probably just dressup games like this, but at least we could arrange a competition for the best costume
For that matter, are there even any figure skating computer games on the market that could be used? I've never heard of any.
Probably just dressup games like this, but at least we could arrange a competition for the best costume
But, it does say a lot about the way that people who do not follow figure skating perceive the sport. That figure skating is all about dressing up and looking pretty, rather than being a real sport. As we all know, this perception is completely wrong. And it is sad that people do still believe this.
I'm not sure if this was posted since the GP news has taken over the discussion for a few days, but I caught this on Youtube Monday. Jordan from On Ice Perspectives did a livestream entitled Virtual Skating Exhibition with L.A. Elite Ice & On Ice Perspectives.
Adam Rippon (who sported a band-aid on his forehead after walking into a door) provided some color commentary and Derrick Delmore (Coach and Choreographer) introduced his skaters, many who were junior or novice. Starr Andrews was probably the biggest name who skated (to an EX called "Finally" by Fergie).
Skaters list: Emma Chao, Mel Xu, Melea Karcher, Lana Zuccala, Mimika Endo,Lisa Borzilleri, Goku Endo, Alex Evans, Starr Andrews, Joon Soo Kim
I hope Jordan can bring more content like this, traveling to different rinks (as long as it's safe) to bring these virtual exhibitions during the season.
Wish they could just do live stream of a competition in with each skater in home rinks. With the money saved on air travel, get some good camera for judging.
But, that's not a virtual skating event. A virtual event is where athletes compete in computer game versions of their sport, to keep themselves and fans entertained whilst the real thing is unable to take place due to restrictions. For example:
Virtual MotoGP Round 5: British GP
Virtual Formula 1 Round 8: Canadian GP
This is just a normal figure skating event being held behind closed doors. ...
For goodness sake, Jordan! Just call a spade a spade! If you are having a event behind closed doors, just be honest and say that that is what you are doing! Don't try to package it up as something that it isn't. Calling this a "virtual event" is just making a mockery of the whole idea and purpose of virtual events. It is misleading, and potentially dangerous.
Rant over.
... Like, it even has group warm-ups where multiple skaters are on the ice at the same time! :shocked:
So much for social distancing. ...
Jordan's description of his "virtual skating exhibition" is absolutely appropriate and understandable to those who are conversant in American English.
(And Jordan is American, of course.)
I strongly object :ddevil: to your characterization of him as less than honest.
I find your rant to be "misleading, and potentially dangerous."
(Yes, computer games are "virtual." But in the U.S., that usage of the word is not the only common usage.)
There is just one problem with your argument about this being down to a difference between British English and American English. During the lockdown, NASCAR and Indycar both had a string of virtual races which were in the sense that I am talking about. And they are both American championships.
Just do a search for Indycar virtual and NASCAR virtual, and you will find a whole range of stories from American websites using the phrase "virtual race" in this sense.
Incidentally, once they had finished playing computer games, both series subsequently held a few races behind closed doors, before letting spectators return to race meetings for the first time during July.
By describing a behind-closed-doors event as "virtual" because it is being broadcast online, it gives ideas to unscrupulous people who may try to use this phrase to deceive authorities into believing an event with spectators is something it is not. And that would be dangerous.
I accept that it probably wasn't Jordan's intention to be misleading. But, by using a phrase that has a totally different meaning to a lot of people, it did end up as being misleading.
If he does do another one, I would have 2 pieces of advice: to not describe it as "virtual", and to not have skaters out on the ice together in warm-up groups.
All that aside, I want to applaud him for putting this event together. It takes a lot of work to do something like this at the best of times, never mind when a pandemic is causing so much disruption.
... maybe he could even skate at Canadian Nats and submit the score to whatever might pass for US Nats. Wouldn't that be the coolest?
Jordan was not misleading.
And he did nothing "dangerous."
As I already said in my previous post, U.S. usage of "virtual" has more than one meaning.
You seem to be missing that point entirely.
Before seeing your second post, I had edited my first post to include my response to your concerns over social distancing -- which was in effect except for a few instances lasting merely for seconds.
(Side note that your fixation on "behind closed doors" seems completely irrelevant to me.)
Although I do not claim to be conversant in British English, I see that the official royal website offers "virtual tours" of Buckingham Palace. And that the British Museum website offers two "virtual galleries," such as its "Prints and Drawings virtual gallery."
Would most Brits consider offerings like these to be "mockeries" that are "misleading" and "potentially dangerous"?
I am American, but I do not.