Just got this from the Skatefans listing...this goes into effect in the 2009-10 Olympic season (it will stay the same next year)...the new event order will be the following (SA will now be the 5th event!)
It's a part of a very famous Russian proverb - the first pancake almost comes out lumpy.I say let someone else get stuck with the "first pancakes" (as Tamara Moskvina called them, according to Scott Hamilton) for once.
Madison Square Garden, hopefully.Well this will be a nice change.
Now the question will be as to where SA will be held that year!!
I wonder if NBC television had something to do with this. Maybe they wanted to wrap their Skate America / U.S. Nationals / Olympics coverage up in a neater package.
TV considerations aside, I don't see much benefit to Skate America whether it's early or late. To me, there was nothing wrong with that event kicking off the season. Except for the possible Olympic tie-in, I don't think they will sell any more tickets by advertising that the skaters' have had more time to perfcet their programs and, being later, will seem (?) like they are more important in determining who goes to the GP final.
Reason why I mentioned financial interests to USA and Canada being the last two GPs was because, this year, there was much ado about who will be in the Finals and attention towad CoR and NHK has been much scrutinized before their events. This could increase the LIVE viewers to the stadiums.Agreed. But if the US & Canada really feel like they're at a disadvantage (or any of the participating nations for that matter) maybe they should look into rotating the events?
I would like to see the GPs start in September. I know, I know, the poor dears wont be ready,
Joe