U.S. Figure Skating reprimands, fines Rachael Flatt

[janetfan]

It took me 12 pages to realize that I dont understand what is reprimanded, I mean I read on the dictionary the meaning but I dont understand how it applies to rachel, they sent her a letter of You did a bad bad thing,, reduced her funding, called her for explaining herself?Nothing of that?

Yes, that is what happened with the thought/warning that if she ever does it again she could face harsher penalties.

 

[Bluebonnet]

But what I was really objecting to was this idea, apparently espoused by many.

(a) The international judges tend not to give Rachael Flatt high program component scores.

(b) I am a judge at 2011 U.S. Nationals. Alissa skates beautifully. Rachael skates OK. Mirai isn't herself and falls off the pace.

Should I take fact (a) into account when I punch in my scores?

No, you shouldn't. But simply you should not use National winning as the only way to get the ticket to the Worlds. Looks like that the same argument goes around, and around, and around...

One thing I'm still confused. Rachael was fined because she didn't report the injury and skated poorly. Ryan Bradley was also clearly not at his best, though he reported his broken-toe injury, and skated poorly at 2010 worlds. Seems that Bradley has skated "legally", and heroically. Is the fine soly for the non-reporting part? Could Rachael be continuing skating at the worlds without any trouble if she had reported her injury?

 

[Mathman]

I was just over on FSU and I got a whole new perspective on this.

I couldn't figure out why the USFSA would want to bring bad publicity on itself in this way. But here's why.

In the last couple of years the USFSA has created some new top positions to be filled with people with media savvy. Such people know that all publicity -- even bad publicity -- is good publicity. I don't care what you say about me, just spell my name right. That's "F-I-G-U-R-E S-K-A-T-I-N-G.

The more "controversies" they can manufacture, the better it is for everyone connected to the sport.

 

[Sylvia]

Yes, that is what happened with the thought/warning that if she ever does it again she will be suspended.

This sounds like an assumption or speculation on your part.

In the last couple of years the USFSA has created some new top positions to be filled with people with media savvy.

What specific positions are you referring to?

 

[Mathman]

Mainly I had in mind the appointment of David Raith (executive director) and whatever staff he has brought on board. Raith’s background is in TV journalism, not figure skating. As I understand it, this was a deliberate move to go beyond the old boys club and get serious about promoting the sport.

(This was in 2005, so I guess it has been longer ago than "the last couple of years.")

 

[Bluebonnet]

If they really want to go into the direction like you suggested, Mathman, they should hire Johnny Weir.

 

[Mathman]

^ They should, they should!

 

[Tonichelle]

If they really want to go into the direction like you suggested, Mathman, they should hire Johnny Weir.

who says they didn't? maybe all of his "the USFSA hates me/is homophobic" was his actually being a good little team player to get people to tune in (NBC bought it as did ABC and used it to their broadcasting advantage)

 

[chuckm]

If I were a top level US figure skater, I'd be leery of the USFS drive to get publicity at any cost, if publicly humiliating a skater is an acceptable "cost".

 

[janetfan]

This sounds like an assumption or speculation on your part.

I re-worded my post and am curious what your thoughts might be?

I will speculate that you don't believe if Rachael does anything like this again she will get a pat on the back.

Typically the point of a written reprimand is to provide cover for future actions that can be much harsher.

To suspend Flatt for her poor judgement for a first offense can get tricky but after a written reprimand it can be safer from a legal standpoint.

Why did Michelle withdraw from the '06 Olympics?

Why did Rachael choose to compete with a broken leg at 2011 Worlds?

 

[Mathman]

If I were a top level US figure skater, I'd be leery of the USFS drive to get publicity at any cost, if publicly humiliating a skater is an acceptable "cost".

That's the beauty of this theory. Rachael was in on it from the beginning.

Here is how it went down, according to my sources.

David Raith gives Rachael a call: "Phil Hersh is looking for a story. Are you in?"

Rachael: "What's in it for me?

Raith: "How about a negative fine of five big? We'll just say, 'Rachael was fined and we have nothing further to say.' :yes:

 

[Spun Silver]

And people think that's a win-win scenario? :sheesh:

I agree with chuckm. If this is true it will backfire on the USFSA. To the extent Americans know skating at all, it's the skaters they know and care about. I don't think Rachael, future rocket scientist, skating injured is going to turn her into skating's next Bad Girl. (Although, as a Mirai fan, I do see this incident in a metaphorical way as a "take that, Nagasu!" ... if not quite on a whack level.)

But maybe MM is just joking again...

 

[janetfan]

We need to remember that Rachael is still an eligible and funded US skater.

She will be offered two GP events next season and can skate at Natls. She can try again to win a medal at 4CC and can qualify for the Natl team.

This was not started by Hersh or by Carroll.

US skating officials said after they heard this they needed to investigate the timeline and situation.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG3lNEgWB40

Most likely Hersh got interested and since Frank coaches the #1 alternate Hersh called him.

I don't see this as a "humilation" for Rachael but more of a learning experience.

And beyond any doubt it started with the words right out of Rachael's mouth. No reason to blame others for the actions of Rachael and Team Flatt.

Rachael seems to be a very motivated and positive young lady and it would not surprise me if she comes back strong next season.

 

[Kitt]

Rachael was in fine form this weekend at Skate for Hope, even doing a spunky sassy number to All the Single Ladies with Caitlin Yankouskas, Alexe Gilles, and Emily Samuelson. She looked great and like she was having fun.

 

[R.D.]

Sorry, but I find the conspiracy talk ridiculous. Seriously guys, fining Rachel to get publicity??? :disapp:

 

[Mathman]

^ But R.D., I got all that from you. You were the one pushing "there must be something more here."

 

[snowflake]

Rachael was in fine form this weekend at Skate for Hope, even doing a spunky sassy number to All the Single Ladies with Caitlin Yankouskas, Alexe Gilles, and Emily Samuelson. She looked great and like she was having fun.

Thanks Kitt. I am very pleased to hear this!

 

[R.D.]

You were the one pushing "there must be something more here."

You misunderstood. The only possibility I brought up was them using their investigation findings to bring a stronger case against her coach. Nothing more..

 

[prettykeys]

Ehh... I don't think it's that big of a deal. Yeah, it kinda sucks for Rachael but from Kitt's report in post #194 it sounds like she's over it.

From what I can tell, there isn't a single reason for why the USFSA appears to have felt compelled to reprimand and fine Rachael. My best guess is a combination of three:

1) Rachael didn't notify the proper people of her injury before her skates
2) Rachael didn't have a good showing
3) Hersh badgered the USFSA about it and got comments from Frank Carroll to gain support for his cause

I believe all three of these conditions had to be met for this to have happened. If one was missing, then nothing would have been done.

In reply, USFSA sent an e-mail (LOL) back to Hersh saying that Rachael has been reprimanded and fined (for all we know, the fine could have just been a symbolic $1.) It sounds to me like "OK, geez, we punished Rachael, so for Pete's sake, leave us alone now.

So far, Rachael's announced plans are to sign up for a full load of classes in chemical engineering at Stanford in the fall, taking a few days off here and there for the Grand Prix. I wonder if she will re-evaluate her skating plans after she sees the first week's homework.

This made me giggle.

 

[R.D.]

Actually, from my experience, the 1st week isn't that bad. It's usually the 2nd or 3rd week when the first dates come up (and everything hits you at once!), but I suppose it depends on the department/school, too.