- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
LOL, I chatted with my friend on this (she's a fan from when Yuna and Mao turned senior) and she was like... oh sweet newbie fans, you have seen nothing if you think this is bad or chaotic
Is Grand Prix series ready to downsize to 5 events?
- Thread starter lariko
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2020
I personally don’t think we need to downsize. In fact, I think that downsizing to 5 events would only increase the notion that the sport is declining. It’ll mean less eyes on skating (fewer events, so literally less people).
I also think that downsizing won’t help the original points - the goal should be to have depth naturally, not artificially. Then when we do have whatever the criteria of depth is we’ll be saying that we need 6 events.
Also, I’m not sure how that stops people from falling, etc.
I also think that downsizing won’t help the original points - the goal should be to have depth naturally, not artificially. Then when we do have whatever the criteria of depth is we’ll be saying that we need 6 events.
Also, I’m not sure how that stops people from falling, etc.
- Joined
- May 15, 2024
Your friend is a wise one. I'm being a fan since mid 90. They have really seen nothing and know nothing.LOL, I chatted with my friend on this (she's a fan from when Yuna and Mao turned senior) and she was like... oh sweet newbie fans, you have seen nothing if you think this is bad or chaotic
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
I guess it's good that there are fans who didn't see everything back then, because it means the sport has new fans.
But the nature of every sport is like this, there are cycles where you have all the greatest stars lined up and then there are cycles where everyone left and it's looking not so good. That keeps it realistic. It's not an idol industry where fans keep idols and groups up by streaming / voting / liking / hashtagging stuff. Like... shit happens, it is what makes sports real and interesting.
- Joined
- May 15, 2024
It's the same in every sport and every sport has to deal with "fans" who can't comprehend these simple facts and think that things have to go their way or things should go away
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2007
I tried to find out which year it was when people talked Europeans in women should not be organized at all, because the level is so much far behind Japan and North America. Looking at the results it must have been in the beginning 90's.
- Joined
- May 15, 2024
Or it means some of us are old
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2023
There are few problems with Grand Prix and getting rid one of them is not solving the problem.Would be better to cut number of skaters to 10 for example instead of 12.We need skating worldwide no matter what.
We also need to understand that every GP has country members that are getting those spots.For example in France you have 3 of them and they close the table(Womens).I would really like if we agree to have more skaters based on scores instead of country members of every nationality which is also understandable because you want fans to come and watch.
I wouldn't mind to see only Japan/Korean/American skaters if they are the best in cost of other countries if theirs scores are higher overall.
Second thing we should change is also that Grand Prix Final has only 6 spots instead of 8/10 which sucks hard in my opinion.
There are things that could work,but could be less benefit for ISU which is already in bad spot with skating popularity,so it's hard to talk about this subject without more knowledge and data.
We also need to understand that every GP has country members that are getting those spots.For example in France you have 3 of them and they close the table(Womens).I would really like if we agree to have more skaters based on scores instead of country members of every nationality which is also understandable because you want fans to come and watch.
I wouldn't mind to see only Japan/Korean/American skaters if they are the best in cost of other countries if theirs scores are higher overall.
Second thing we should change is also that Grand Prix Final has only 6 spots instead of 8/10 which sucks hard in my opinion.
There are things that could work,but could be less benefit for ISU which is already in bad spot with skating popularity,so it's hard to talk about this subject without more knowledge and data.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2019
Downsizing would stack the televised, highly anticipated events higher, making them look more spectacular, absorbing the need for the athletes who now would compete later in life and longer to take healing breaks (which are IMPORTANT). Challengers which are 'special interest' events and the JGP take care of the international spread of FS. Grand Prix should always have glamor. It should always be brilliant.
I mean, I was watching the event in France and I couldn't help but think about Mozalev the Unlucky's only senior GP. It was in 2021. Mozalev bombed the short, got indifferent PCSs, clawed his way from 9th to 7th, finishing outside of top 6. But at the time, in 2021, he could only get one event, the field was so booming, and his score was 248, not inflated by any means and cringe-worthy. And, like, I was happy he ended in 7th, and that's for a sentimental favorite.
He would have been on the podium threatening for gold in 2024 French GP. How the heck things could have taken a downturn of this magnitude even in men where Russian withdrawal shouldn't really make the weather.
In 2019-2021 I didn't even watch ice dance because I was bored by it until I saw Hubbell/Donohue and Choke/Bates live in Sk Am 2021. This season, the only discipline I watch with enthusiasm is ice dance because like, there is more than 2 outstanding competitors there.
I mean, I was watching the event in France and I couldn't help but think about Mozalev the Unlucky's only senior GP. It was in 2021. Mozalev bombed the short, got indifferent PCSs, clawed his way from 9th to 7th, finishing outside of top 6. But at the time, in 2021, he could only get one event, the field was so booming, and his score was 248, not inflated by any means and cringe-worthy. And, like, I was happy he ended in 7th, and that's for a sentimental favorite.
He would have been on the podium threatening for gold in 2024 French GP. How the heck things could have taken a downturn of this magnitude even in men where Russian withdrawal shouldn't really make the weather.
In 2019-2021 I didn't even watch ice dance because I was bored by it until I saw Hubbell/Donohue and Choke/Bates live in Sk Am 2021. This season, the only discipline I watch with enthusiasm is ice dance because like, there is more than 2 outstanding competitors there.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2017
I think we need 6, but it always needs to be one in USA, one in Canada, 2 in Europe and 2 in Asia. It gives people the chance to see figure skating live. And the Grand Prix, if you only buy one ticket its still really good.
I think the allocations could be changed up. In Europe, give other countries a chance i.e. Germany, Estonia, etc. I would love South Korea to get it.
I think the allocations could be changed up. In Europe, give other countries a chance i.e. Germany, Estonia, etc. I would love South Korea to get it.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2019
I think Germany hosts Challengers, and Estonia hosts about everything.
Firmly disagree.
The "rift" or whatever we call it has other problems than the # of events. The ISU simply need to rebrand the sport imo...to make it more popular.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2019
Rebrand into what?
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2017
I went to the Grand Prix at the skating club of Boston and the Cranberry Cup Challenger, the difference was night and day.
A Grand prix hosts all 4 disciplines and only 3 per country. I think spread the wealth, don't diminish it. And I think the grand prix final should be more than 6 skaters, 10 at least.
The ISU simply need to change the image of the sport.
Now it's a niche sport that people do not pay much attention to (unless you are in Japan or Russia).
I am a general sports fan, especially winter sports. Each year I have to convince my friends that it is also essential to follow figure skating! It's exciting, very difficult, and nerve wrecking. But people don't get it because they know nothing about figure skating. Because it's not on TV.
That's where the problem lies.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2019
Can't speak for Japan, but ISU can't really promote Russia or to Russia, since RusFed took a sharp turn this year to rebranding FS into a national treasure versus international sport where they compete vs the world. They translated the scoring window completely in Russian (the lift with Which What now???), talk up anything skated to Russian music, removed current competition from YouTube and changed their tune from 'if only they could see this' to 'nobody anywhere loves you more than you're loved at home' and doubled down on educating the audience about what is going on as the skate progresses in every discipline. Strictly in Russian. New gen of fans there is not going to learn English terminology.
So, yeah, around the world it is, but I thought they were doing it for years already, promoting across the world, even introducing the International Skating Day.
I mean, I would love ISU to get in step with our times, but as far as I know I am in a tiny minority who wants the removal of the century-old prejudices calcified in the rules and gearing toward the youth etc. That's why I think they refuse to do so, they gotta glam up to make FS the last place one can still relive 1950s, which means more glam GPs --> less GPs stacked with stars from who at least 70% skate well.
(Shrug)
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2019
Well, since they refuse to make it an actual point-by-point sport and insist on beefing the show component at the moment as the overall direction...
