2020 Skate Canada International Cancelled

[drivingmissdaisy]

Please do not infer that skating fans who are concerned about the health of the skaters are somehow Chicken Littles running around screaming about how the sky is falling.

It seems like this issue is very polarizing, in which most people want everything shut down completely and shame those countries who are trying to take small steps towards normalcy, or want to see everything open ASAP. I think it's ok to want to see events happen if they can be put on safely, and not have people here tell me I hate the elderly because of it.

 

[SnowWhite]

I was really looking forward to seeing all the Canadian ice dancers, especially Gilles/Poirier and Lavoie/Lagha. I really wanted to see Jason Brown's brilliant programs with better video. Was really excited to see Roman Sadovsky. Also Moore-Towers/Marinaro.

I can't blame them for cancelling, but I wish they'd moved it, or had some contingency plan to do it by video.

That really wasn't feasible though. Moving it to Toronto (or wider GTA) or Montreal makes no sense, since those regions are also hotspots. But almost all the skaters invited train in Montreal or Toronto, so holding an event in an area with less means you're bringing a ton of people from hotspots to that area, which would be irresponsible. Travel between different regions of Quebec is "strongly discouraged" right now, for example. They really don't want people leaving hotspots and going elsewhere because that will inevitably spread it more.

As for video, SC is doing Challenge as a virtual event, but Roman Sadovsky said in his latest Youtube video that from what he's heard, switching to virtual was more complicated/not an option because it's an ISU competition.

 

[Jeanie19]

That really wasn't feasible though. Moving it to Toronto (or wider GTA) or Montreal makes no sense, since those regions are also hotspots. But almost all the skaters invited train in Montreal or Toronto, so holding an event in an area with less means you're bringing a ton of people from hotspots to that area, which would be irresponsible. Travel between different regions of Quebec is "strongly discouraged" right now, for example. They really don't want people leaving hotspots and going elsewhere because that will inevitably spread it more.

As for video, SC is doing Challenge as a virtual event, but Roman Sadovsky said in his latest Youtube video that from what he's heard, switching to virtual was more complicated/not an option because it's an ISU competition.

I think they should try to do some sort of virtual competition. These skaters are training hard and they want to show their programs and of course we want to see them.

 

[rain]

I think they should try to do some sort of virtual competition. These skaters are training hard and they want to show their programs and of course we want to see them.

Agreed. Even if they can only manage something like the U.S. ISP challenge, I'd be thrilled.

 

[zanadude]

That's really not feasible for a worldwide sport for which most participants pay more for training than they receive in income from the sport, and in which many of the participants are minors who need adult supervision.

What location do you propose that should be?

Who is going to pay for travel and living expenses for all the skaters, parents, coaches, and (mostly volunteer) officials?

The NHL is a lucrative professional sport practiced by professional adults and centered on a single continent.

Elite figure skating is not.



Yes.

Officials also tend to be older, especially at the international level.

That's why I said "if you must do this". I also recommended "(Japan?)" as a location that may have the financial and logistical means to pull something like that off.

But I agree that it would be a big money loser. I said "if you must do this", but I personally believe that it shouldn't be done at all.

 

[CoyoteChris]

I have changed my attitude somewhat. Watching BBC American talking about Covid around the world and seeing other people's attitudes. Today they had on some 20-30 year old ladies at outdoor cafes in Paris talking about how they were going to circumvent the coming curfew. Euro specialists were talking about how these "kids" will take it home to grandma and other family members, just like in the US. But the thing is, the desease also does other things besides kill old people. Even to kids. Even if they live. It loves to attack the circulatory system, for instance. And its mutating all the time. I am checking my toilet paper supply and planning to have a nice quiet winter at home. (I did get a laugh today out of the news...rare but it happens....a US Govt study shows airplanes are safe to travel in. As long as hospital grade hepa filters are installed..as long as everyone wears hospital grade surgical masks correctly. As long as no one walks around or eats or drinks. But while the pilots get 100 percent fresh air all the time, YOU still get to breath recirculated flatuance from your fellow pax. LOL! My airline capt friend Jeff says, "Yeah, sometimes the flight attendants tell me its a bit stuffy back there, so I turn off the two recirculation fans so they can have the same air I do. "