2022 Worlds Pre-Game Chat

[flipsydoodle]

No Russian or Belarussian judges......

What a three years. We finally lose the covid scare and then we have a war and half the top contenders are banned or unable to leave their country. Medals are a free for all across the board at this stage and props to anyone who is focused enough to skate up to par after all this.

Yes, right? This is the ultimate: Who can seize the opportunity? So many contenders, so little time.

 

[Sabine]

If Russians wont be allowed to participate it will affect next years Worlds as well, because then Russia will only have one entry per discipline.

 

[Skater Boy]

At this point it looks very likely that if worlds happen it will be without any Russian skaters (this isn’t just an ISU thing, Russian and Belarusian delegations are being banned left, right and centre). Not commenting on whether such a decision is just or not (I have my own view on this, but it isn’t relevant), however it will really diminish the level of competition and the prestige of these Worlds. Post Olympic worlds are already weird enough without the deepest figure skating nation being banned entirely.

what would happen for 2023 for Russia if they are banned. Does that mean at best one entry per event???? It would be tragic for the sport. Russia as I mentioned is one of the leading skating nations and could win up to 7 /12 medals.

 

[Near]

what would happen for 2023 for Russia if they are banned. Does that mean at best one entry per event???? It would be tragic for the sport. Russia as I mentioned is one of the leading skating nations and could win up to 7 /12 medals.

I honestly have no idea what would or should be done in that situation tbh. I think I would want Russia to retain it’s places (it would certainly be much better for the quality of the competition) but I don’t know. Maybe this would highlight the issues with how the ISU awards worlds places?

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Okay, I'm going to say it. I was already excited for the men, although I will miss the Russians. Pairs is pairs, now lacking in depth but still always fun. But I am really looking forward to the women, and that is the first time I have said that in regards to a international competitions in the past few years.

 

[lariko]

I guess it’s a good thing that I started to watch ice dance… there is nobody left in pairs.

Women without Trusova is going to be boring for me, plus I am worried that all the ex-Russians there will suffer the PCSs retributions. Or if the ExRU girls can’t make it out of Moscow/StP. So, I will take a look at the short, and if there is an obvious bias, I will skip the free.

Men, well, if they again tell me that Kvitelashvili is better than Grassl and is the top Eu man, I am going to ignore the rest of the competition. I love Zhou, I am happy for Malinin, but I want something going on for Eu too & I am tired of Grassl being under-appreciated. If Grassl is in top 5, or podium position, or maybe if Malinin is in podium position, I will stick with it.

Tbh, it is preferential to me if Russia drops to one spot vs going on Olympic placements, because they would strangle Mozalev with his own entrails in the later case, and I love my shy kid & with Aliev now out of contention, I’d hate to lose Mozalev too.

 

[lariko]

Oh, and Miura instead of Tomono…

 

[flipsydoodle]

If Russians wont be allowed to participate it will affect next years Worlds as well, because then Russia will only have one entry per discipline.

It will be fascinating to see how this unrolls. IMO Also, in the B competitions, some new names can rise to the surface, and have a shot at the biggest events. I’m thinking the Liu and Zhou situations at Nebelhorn that firmed up 3 spots for the Olympics.

 

[flipsydoodle]

what would happen for 2023 for Russia if they are banned. Does that mean at best one entry per event???? It would be tragic for the sport. Russia as I mentioned is one of the leading skating nations and could win up to 7 /12 medals.

IMO on the contrary: it will be fantastic for the sport, a breath of fresh air. Valieva’s positive has put a dark cloud over figure skating and whether results have been legitimately achieved. There has been a problem with corrupt judging for decades. A much-needed clean sweep of the mess.

 

[moonvine]

Very concerned. But it seems to trivial in light of everything.

Somehow I would not be surprised if both Nathan and Jason skipped this, but would be happy to see them both compete. I kind of expect Hanyu to go since he hasn't medaled and hasn't competed at all this season except for nationals and Olympics.

I think Khudaiberdieva/Bazin were first alternated for Olympics so I would like to see them selected for Worlds along Liza and Misha. But I think banning Russian athletes is a good decision.

If Jason skips it we get Camden. At that point I'd be concerned for our 3 spots.

 

[moonvine]

what would happen for 2023 for Russia if they are banned. Does that mean at best one entry per event???? It would be tragic for the sport. Russia as I mentioned is one of the leading skating nations and could win up to 7 /12 medals.

It would be amazing. I'd actually enjoy a women's event for the first time in years.

 

[comet23]

how will they replace the Russian spots?

 

[Ziotic]

how will they replace the Russian spots?

They don’t replace. Any country with a skater who has the minimums can attend and then the top 24 make the free

 

[mrrice]

About 8 years.

I hate to think that this is true but, the days of having a career that can span a decade like Maria Butyrskaya, Irina Slutskaya, and Elena Sokolova seem to be long gone. The technical difficulty is so much higher now and the wear and tear on a young body takes its toll very quickly on muscles and bones that are not fully developed.

 

[chuckm]

No RUS or BLR judges? What about judges 'loaned' by Russia to other former SSRs like AZE and UZB? And are all the UKR judges truly Ukrainian, or are they Russian?

 

[Ladskater]

I actually feel like Worlds might be an awesome relief 3 weeks from now. A nice break from all the intensity right now, with war, COVID, etc. However, it will feel even more fun and relief-worthy if we have absolutely no clue in advance who the podium-ers will be! Not to mention a discombobulated judge lineup. This could make for some once in a lifetime wild cards. I mean....
**Piper and Paul for gold?
**An all-Japan all-Sakamoto-ecstatic podium in women's?
**Yuna-wazrobbed" revenge with a Korean gold?
**An alien for the win?
**"Sword-slashing Spanish dancers wield some metal...."
**An under-20's triple play in men's?

This will also totally shake up the allocations going into next season? Like standings, number of slots at competitions, etc.

GoldenSkate could do VERY well with the pre-competition wagers, since they'll be all over the map.

I like your podium lineups especially Piper and Paul for Gold!

 

[lurkz2]

What about another Wakababy post Oly World's medal. She did win a silver the last time...

 

[Ladskater]

With what's happening in Ukraine, lives being lost, people displaced, winning a FS World championship somehow loses it's importance...

 

[moonvine]

I hate to think that this is true but, the days of having a career that can span a decade like Maria Butyrskaya, Irina Slutskaya, and Elena Sokolova seem to be long gone. The technical difficulty is so much higher now and the wear and tear on a young body takes its very quickly on muscles and bones that are not fully developed.

I hope the ISU will make positive changes so that careers can again be long lived.

 

[Skater Boy]

It would be amazing. I'd actually enjoy a women's event for the first time in years.

You are entitled to your opinion but Russian or not there are some wonderful skaters from Russia. And the skaters are real people too.