Any information on the "International Challenge" ?

[Mathman]

Mirai isn't skating junior but senior in Yokohama.

I got this information via "Oyaji's Eyes" blog:
"Although Nagasu is skating in junior events internationally, she will compete at the senior level at the U.S. Championships, and in a "Japan vs. U.S." event in early October."

I think maybe they have to do it that way under ISU rules for sanctioned international competitions, because there are not enough junior competitors (only one lady for each team).

 

[Hsuhs]

Maybe the real reason for Mirai Nagasu's senior debut in this event, is that the Team America wants to win smth, anything, in one of the disciplines?

 

[sorcerer]

I've been reading everywhere that Mirai is competing junior internationally and senior nationally.

So, if the Yokohama event is sanctioned by ISU as seen in its calendar, then Mirai should be eligible only as junior, isn't it?
The ISU seems strict on principles. (I recall Yu-Na not being able to participate in the gala of the Japan Open under the sanction of ISU. )

The IceNetwork article may be a mistake...?

 

[sorcerer]

At last.

At this moment this information is not on the USFSA site, so I'll post in two threads here. Please reply on the "International Events" area, if any.

JSF has disclosed the participants in the coming "International Counter Match Figure Skating Competition USA vs JPN 2007 Yokohama", which are as follows:

Ladies USA: Liang, Flatt, Zhang, Nagasu
Ladies JPN: Ando, Mai Asada(TBD), Suguri, Suizu
Men USA: Lysacek, Bradley, Weir, Carriere
Men JPN: Takahashi, Nanri, Nakaniwa, Machida

The comp is ISU sanctioned and will take place on Oct 6th, the exhibition gala on 7th.
Tickets range from 10,000Yen($87) to 16,000Yen($139), gala has VIP seats $174. Oh dear.

Will be televised here on 20th on TBS.

As far as I know, the one junior each (Flatt or Nagasu, Suizu, Carriere, Machida) won't be counted in the total score.

 

[Sylvia]

At this moment this information is not on the USFSA site, so I'll post in two threads here. Please reply on the "International Events" area

Thanks for the info via JSF. Here's the link to the thread there: http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17470

 

[bibi]

Ladies JPN: Ando, Mai Asada(TBD), Suguri, Suizu

Why Mao isn't on the list anymore???? That's sad!!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

QUESTION: If this is ISU sanctioned, will the placements be considered for the World Standings? IMO, it would not be fair to skaters who are not invited.

Joe

 

[Mathman]

QUESTION: If this is ISU sanctioned, will the placements be considered for the World Standings? IMO, it would not be fair to skaters who are not invited.

No, I don't think this event meets the criteria for earning world standings points. In the category "other international events" (after ISU championships, Grand Prix, etc.), I think the rule is something like, there must be at least 8 competors in each scored discipline, with at least four different countries represented. Also, the three people on the technical panel must be from three different countries.

About being "fair", though, that's another question and a good one. Is it fair to give out points for the winners of the Ondrei Nepela or Nebelhorn events, when some skaters get to go and others don't?

In any case, only a very few points can be earned in these extra events (300 total points awarded, compared to a total of 15,000 for Worlds, for instance).

 

[Sllippery]

Ladies USA: Liang, Flatt, Zhang, Nagasu
Ladies JPN: Ando, Mai Asada(TBD), Suguri, Suizu
Men USA: Lysacek, Bradley, Weir, Carriere
Men JPN: Takahashi, Nanri, Nakaniwa, Machida

Wow! Sounds like an interesting show.
As for US ladies, it looks like very unique and unusual members.
Why Bebe Liang, and why not Emily, Kimmie nor Alissa?
What are the criteria to make this team?

The US lady team is made up with younger promising athletes versus the Japanese counterpart is made up with veteran skaters. To me, this is rather a strange matching, but hopefully all their performances must be very exciting.


Flat and Caroline have never senior experiences internationally at this stage, but I believe Caroline will outperform all senior ladies (or at least except Ando).
I suppose she will sweeps the arena and make the audience’s day.
And Mirai will perform as a junior, right?

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

No, I don't think this event meets the criteria for earning world standings points. In the category "other international events" (after ISU championships, Grand Prix, etc.), I think the rule is something like, there must be at least 8 competors in each scored discipline, with at least four different countries represented. Also, the three people on the technical panel must be from three different countries.

About being "fair", though, that's another question and a good one. Is it fair to give out points for the winners of the Ondrei Nepela or Nebelhorn events, when some skaters get to go and others don't?

In any case, only a very few points can be earned in these extra events (300 total points awarded, compared to a total of 15,000 for Worlds, for instance).

Good points on the "fair" question. I think if one wanted to participate in Ondrei, Nebelhorn, or other such events, there should be a good reason for not permitting them. These 'B' events are good for European Skaters to get their names on the Worlds' Standing List. Few Euroeans will travel to Asia events without a stipend.

Joe

 

[leode]

Here is latest announcement in English from JSF today.

International Counter Match in Japan 2007
Date: 10/06/2007(SAT) - 10/07/2007(SUN)
Place: Shin Yokohama Skate Center

Competitions: 2 persons for each Short and Free Programs

Schedule:
1) 10/06/2007(SAT)
14:30 Opening
15:00 Men
17:10 Ladies

2) 10/07/2007(SUN)
13:00 Exhibition
16:00 Finale

expected to participate Members:
Japan Team:
Ladies: Miki Ando, Mao Asada, Fumie Suguri and Rumi Suizu
Mens: Daisuke Takahashi, Yasuharu Nanri, Kensuke Nakaniwa and Tatsuki Machida

Team USA :
Ladies: Beatrisa "Bebe" Liang, Rachael Flatt, Caroline Zhang and Mirai Nagasu
Men:Evan Lysacek, Ryan Bradley, Johnny Weir and Stephen Carriere

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

We kind of know this. What we would like to know is if there will be a TV stream into the USA?

 

[leode]

We kind of know this. What we would like to know is if there will be a TV stream into the USA?

Yes, I know, but I don't know yet. What I only know is this will be on the air at Japanese TV "TBS". And Mai Asada has changed Mao Asada as member.

 

[Mathman]

So is it definitely Mao Asada instead of Mai? Sorcerer (post #24 = above) listed it as "Mai Asada (TBD)" as of a few days ago.

If it's Mao, along with Miki and Fumie, the U.S. doesn't have a chance, LOL.

Is there any word yet as to which skaters will do a short program and which will do a long?

 

[leode]

So is it definitely Mao Asada instead of Mai? Sorcerer (post #24 = above) listed it as "Mai Asada (TBD)" as of a few days ago.

Yes, Mao Asada will be expected to participate this competition, but I remember "Dreams on Ice" case.

Is there any word yet as to which skaters will do a short program and which will do a long?

Not be announced yet.

 

[sorcerer]

Loede's information is the newer one that has come in few
hours ago. The JSF has uploaded on its site another annoucement dated 11th, stating Mao instead of Mai as planned participant.
The PDF file dated 10th seems to have been a draft.

The new annoucement also says that all participants' scores are counted; two performing the SP and the other two FP.
(The official site of TBS (tv station supporting this event) still has the page that has been saying three senior scoers count, but the JSF annoucement today must be its correction. http://www.tbs.co.jp/tbs-ch/lineup/s1113.html )

 

[Mathman]

The new annoucement also says that all participants' scores are counted; two performing the SP and the other two FP.

Thanks. This makes a lot more sense to me. I believe that ISU regulations require that a competition must follow the format of a real competition. Mixing a junior competition with only two skaters in with a senior competition doesn't fit any reasonable format.

Now from the point of view of ISU scoring, there are four separate and legitimate competitions. A short program competition and a long program competition for men's and for ladies', each competition comprising four skaters. That makes sense. If the junior skaters do the SP, it's not too much different from a senior SP, so they could just skate what they have prepared and call it a senior program.

If I am thinking about this right, that will mean that Mirai and Rachael will be skating the SP for the American side. (?)

 

[leode]

Thanks for following up, sorcerer.

If I am thinking about this right, that will mean that Mirai and Rachael will be skating the SP for the American side. (?)

Yes, I agree with you. I think they will perform their SP.
Anyway, I can't wait to see their new programs for each members from USA and Japan teams, however, it's going to be hard to get a ticket.

 

[chuckm]

Doesn't look like a fair match-up in the Ladies event.

The Japanese team has 3 Senior ladies who have won World medals, and a Junior lady who made the JGPF last season. The three Senior ladies have all been Japanese National Champion. Ages: 26, 19, 17, 16

The US team has 4 Senior ladies, none of whom have ever gone to Worlds although Zhang is the reigning World Junior Champion and Nagasu is the World Junior silver medalist. Flatt goes to her first JGP event this weekend, while Liang has never gone to Worlds, and has never medalled at Junior Worlds or the GP. None of the ladies has ever won a US Nationals medal at the Senior level. Ages: 19, 15, 14, 14.

 

[feraina]

Doesn't look like a fair match-up in the Ladies event.

But then the men's competition looks like a mirror image. So I guess in the end it evens out.