2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Amei]

Explains why more people in Russia (With almost 100 million people less) watched this event than the nba finals in the USA.

Think about that for a second.

Staggering.

Not sure if pro sport viewership in the US is really a good indicator, the leagues have made some bad moves that angered a lot of their viewership, I know people that were diehard NFL fans (like they would be watching every televised game they could) and the last couple years they have refused to watch a single game of it. Russian media with figure skating seems to know to give fans what they want.

 

[Finley]

I am not suggesting that I think it should be cancelled. I am just stating that the lack of a coherent plan by the ISU means that it could be cancelled if rules change in Sweden. The ISU has no plan in place if Sweden decides athletes need to quarantine. The ISU needs better protocols if they want to ensure this goes forward.

Since you like people to respond to your posts, I will. I would say that I don't appreciate the suggestion that it is impolite to let an argument go. I think it takes maturity and self control to do so. Reactions often result in more fruitless discussions. You are obviously welcome to hold another opinion. I have expressed opinion and I still hold that. It is fake drama. If you disagree, that's ok. But, I don't think it is impolite to ignore a response which will just continue an argument that will likely have no positive outcome It is usually the best thing to do. In regards to the original situation, if people want to continue to discuss it that is, of course, their right. However, I would ask them all if they aren't holding these wonderful young ladies to an impossible standard. People who are sick and tired often come across in an inelegant way. Perhaps you have never said something slightly rude when exhausted or sick, but I certainly have. It bothers me how some people on this site spend so much time defending their favorites against even mild constructive criticism ( not talking about you) and have no compassion or humanity toward those who aren't their favorites. Neither of these ladies are my favorite skaters, but they both deserve a little understanding. That's my view and that's the last time I will discuss this topic. Please don't think it implies disrespect if I don't reply. Take care.

I don't think it implies disrespect if someone doesn't reply. I didn't mean that at all. I was just explaining why I usually do reply. (I am also that person who puts too many '!!' in my emails because I think they sound flat and cold otherwise. ) It is absolutely not impolite to let an argument go. It takes more strength not to answer back sometimes.

We can agree to disagree on whether or not the resulting drama from the press conference is fake. It might be overblown, unnecessary and manufactured, but it is real in the sense that it is actually being discussed on social media.

I've said rude or dismissive things on a good day. Never mind when I was exhausted or sick.

There was a conversation in this thread about the press conference. I read a post I disagreed with and responded to it. Discussion ensued. I'm sorry for responding to your post in a snippy way.

As for positive outcomes, I don't have any expectations that I am going to change someone's mind or sway their opinion. I'm just expressing mine. Nothing more. I've now spent more time explaining what I meant and clarifying my words than I did posting in the first place.

I guess it is poetic justice I am experiencing the consequences of my decision to participate in a conversation in this thread.

 

[readernick]

I guess it is poetic justice I am experiencing the consequences of my decision to participate in a conversation in this thread.

I've experienced that many times on this forum.

 

[Minz]

The US did as well when figure skating was popular in the US.

But still, YouTube! It's easier nowadays than it was before. And ANY way easier would be a start. People just don't want to watch something like US Nationals because it's so difficult. I've even heard people on this forum say that they won't watch US Nationals because it's so darn difficult.

 

[Decoder]

But still, YouTube! It's easier nowadays than it was before. And ANY way easier would be a start. People just don't want to watch something like US Nationals because it's so difficult. I've even heard people on this forum say that they won't watch US Nationals because it's so darn difficult.

It was difficult. I tried to watch it on YouTube, but was asked to sign up or something (don't remember exactly what it was). I then went to the NBC stream site and had the same luck. Maybe it is a pay-per-view thing? However, I can watch the Russian games (the best in the world) on YouTube, live, with a simple click, and I can re-watch them any time I want.

 

[lopsilceci]

The russians really are setting the example (to the ISU and other federations) on how to popularize the sport basically by giving fans what they want and making it as accesible to watch as possible.

 

[alexocfp]

The russians really are setting the example (to the ISU and other federations) on how to popularize the sport basically by giving fans what they want and making it as accesible to watch as possible.

And it’s bearing fruit. They made an unofficial event seem important. It helped that the girls didn’t treat it as unoffical. And for better or worse, neither did the captains.

The ratings inside of Russia were great and channel one is over the moon with the international interest too.

The live YouTube links, on demand options and their YouTube playlists make it a breeze to watch. And the production values are high. That helps too. Compare this event with the French nationals that also took place last weekend and were streamed on YouTube too. Night and day,

Of course, it doesn‘t hurt that the girls start at 5th gear and only go up from there.

 

[Greengemmonster]

The russians really are setting the example (to the ISU and other federations) on how to popularize the sport basically by giving fans what they want and making it as accesible to watch as possible.

So so so so so true!!!! You do not know what a pill is it to look for one lousy clip of some of the other competitions.

With the big Russian competitions I can watch them live with you guys easily or if I miss it, I can pull up high quality clips of Kamila, Sasha, Anna etc. Nothing is blocked!!!!!! It's like a whole other world!!!!!!

 

[brakes]

Can we just talk about this 3:1 triumph?

 

[brakes]

The ratings inside of Russia were great and channel one is over the moon with the international interest too.

Over 30 million viewers in Russia through the whole event.

 

[brakes]

Whole post-LP conference translated (infamous exchange at 23:20 ).

 

[dante]

Over 30 million viewers in Russia through the whole event.

At 5:52, Channel One's sports broadcasting producer: "We have a lot of ideas, we'd like to make this competition international, to gather Team World and challenge it to compete against Team Russia next year in Moscow."

 

[ELEk3k]

At 5:52, Channel One's sports broadcasting producer: "We have a lot of ideas, we'd like to make this competition international, to gather Team World and challenge it to compete against Team Russia next year in Moscow."

I think this is too opinionated and not the best proposal. It would be better to make a team competition against Japan, or mix players from Japan with Russian players and divide them into two teams. It would be interesting to see how players from different countries support each other.

There is no need to set up and unite all countries against Russia. Of course, Russia is used to standing alone against the unification of other countries in a political confrontation, but there is no need to drag this into sports.

 

[dante]

Of course, Russia is used to standing alone against the unification of other countries in a political confrontation, but there is no need to drag this into sports.

I see no political implication in that proposal. Besides, in politics it's Russia vs. the West, not against the world.

 

[Skatesocs]

I like the idea! Not sure if it'll catch on, of course, but it's kind of gutsy "Well, can the world's best beat Team Russia?"

 

[Vandevska]

TBH, when Daniil said that there will be surprises, together with there being a jumping competition, for a second I thought (or rather I hoped!) that they had changed the format so that girls could include quads in the SP too and that the PCS was gonna be scored like at the men's event! And that made sense to me because Russia really benefits from that change, and it would be a strong message to send to the ISU. I would've loved to see it.

 

[brakes]

At 5:52, Channel One's sports broadcasting producer: "We have a lot of ideas, we'd like to make this competition international, to gather Team World and challenge it to compete against Team Russia next year in Moscow."

Can you imagine Natan/Yuzu crushing Russian men, Sui/Han dominating pairs, Papadakis/Cizeron the dancers and then Russian girls stepping on the ice to this...




I WILL LIVE ANOTHER YEAR FOR THIS!

 

[readernick]

I see no political implication in that proposal. Besides, in politics it's Russia vs. the West, not against the world.

That is a political view only in Russia. For Western countries, the real competitor is China, not Russia which has a GPD the same size as the US state of Texas

However, in figure skating Russia's influence is much stronger. I am personally for striving for unity, rather than further exculating tensions. I think teams made up of skaters from many different countries would be a lot more fun. Like the top ten highest scoring singles, pairs, and dance couples from the last year randomly assigned to four teams. It would be a lot of fun and lack the normal nationalistic motivations which I find distract from the beauty of the sport.

 

[ruga]

That is a political view only in Russia. For Western countries, the real competitor is China, not Russia which has a GPD the same size as the US state of Texas

However, in figure skating Russia's influence is much stronger. I am personally for striving for unity, rather than further exculating tensions. I think teams made up of skaters from many different countries would be a lot more fun. Like the top ten highest scoring singles, pairs, and dance couples from the last year randomly assigned to four teams. It would be a lot of fun and lack the normal nationalistic motivations which I find distract from the beauty of the sport.

Yeah I agree, I also proposed similar idea in another thread. After all, this competition should be fun time after high season is over. Maybe this idea should be taken to ISU by RusFed. If top international athletes truly come to Russia, they do have a very high chance of winning, so it would not be fun losing at home for Russian team.

 

[readernick]

So so so so so true!!!! You do not know what a pill is it to look for one lousy clip of some of the other competitions.

With the big Russian competitions I can watch them live with you guys easily or if I miss it, I can pull up high quality clips of Kamila, Sasha, Anna etc. Nothing is blocked!!!!!! It's like a whole other world!!!!!!

Traditional media holds a lot of power in Japan. While traditional media is losing power in the USA, sports broadcasters, in particular, are falling to utilize the opportunities presented by youtube and similar apps to grow interest in less popular sports like figure skating. Russian broadcasters are pointing the way forward.