2024-25 GPF: Men's Thoughts? | Page 5 | Golden Skate

2024-25 GPF: Men's Thoughts?

lariko said:
We travel for competitions, but well, Worlds was great once, we don't want to go to the Worlds again. Too large, too crowded, too pricey. GP stages are ideal for us, but a combination of remote places like Allen (the heck they went to Allen twice in a row?) with little infrastructure are also unappealing with air travel being total nightmare nowadays, and the competitons are simply not worth watching any more with all the rule changes since last Olympics. I actually liked paying for a Challenger stream when line up was worth it and will do it again when line-ups improve. But the main thing, the competition needs to be worth watching to watch it live. They are simply not worth it any more, even with Malinin, if it's just Malinin. The line-ups in the GP stages are all the same skaters year after year pretty much. We already saw everyone who competes now live. It's the same skaters, over and over.
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It is actually normal in all sports to have the same athletes over and over competing in the elite stages. Look at tennis... if you wanted to watch the big tournaments and see different winners every time you would have been very disappointed. There are a few athletes I have seen multiple times... I still enjoyed looking at different programs, at how they had improved etc... but of course, I understand that you'd like to see more stars ;) GPF is definitely NOT an event I would sign up for exactly because it is only top 6. I need more than that :)

I agree traveling for skating is expensive. I have only done it once and it wasn't a huge deal (the traveling part)... but yeah.. the hotel... it adds up quickly.
 
4everchan said:
It is actually normal in all sports to have the same athletes over and over competing in the elite stages. Look at tennis... if you wanted to watch the big tournaments and see different winners every time you would have been very disappointed. There are a few athletes I have seen multiple times... I still enjoyed looking at different programs, at how they had improved etc... but of course, I understand that you'd like to see more stars ;) GPF is definitely NOT an event I would sign up for exactly because it is only top 6. I need more than that :)

I agree traveling for skating is expensive. I have only done it once and it wasn't a huge deal (the traveling part)... but yeah.. the hotel... it adds up quickly.
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There was far more skaters before, in 2018-2019 it was really exciting to see who goes where with a lot of skaters even just between US and Canadian GP stages. Now, it's like exactly the same cast when GP series are supposed to redistribute skaters. I understand that they prefer to place the skaters close to places they are training to, but more shuffling is required. Also, simply more and better skaters, and I am certain they know it. Until locations and line-ups issues are resolved/dramatically improved, I am watching from the comfort of my home. Airfares are crazy, and hotel are expensive, so ISU needs to go into hubs. Better fill a smaller arena in a bigger city than have an empty one in some out of the way place. Tickets to GP stages are good value.

Oh! And the sales of tickets via obligatory phone call like in Allen are simply unacceptable in our day and age.
 
lariko said:
We travel for competitions, but well, Worlds was great once, we don't want to go to the Worlds again. Too large, too crowded, too pricey. GP stages are ideal for us, but a combination of remote places like Allen (the heck they went to Allen twice in a row?) with little infrastructure are also unappealing with air travel being total nightmare nowadays, and the competitons are simply not worth watching any more with all the rule changes since last Olympics. I actually liked paying for a Challenger stream when line up was worth it and will do it again when line-ups improve. But the main thing, the competition needs to be worth watching to watch it live. They are simply not worth it any more, even with Malinin, if it's just Malinin. The line-ups in the GP stages are all the same skaters year after year pretty much. We already saw everyone who competes now live. It's the same skaters, over and over.
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It's so stale now, although I want Kaori to get 4 in a row. Amber winning would be great for the sport as well a 25 year old with ultra-c content that's unheard of outside of Tuktamysheva. I'm really looking forward to when Shimada, Nakai, Shin can go to seniors soon, and of course imagine how good it would be to see Valieva, Petrosian, Muraviova, Gorbachova, Frolova, Sinitsina, Sadkova, Akatieva of course. So many other great girls as well who just want to skate and show their maximum, entertain audiences.

lariko said:
Oh! And the sales of tickets via obligatory phone call like in Allen are simply unacceptable in our day and age.
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Haha I haven't heard of such a thing for at least a couple of decades! The US is at the cutting edge in the world for the fan experience, so obviously this is just the fault of US figure skating not a reflection on the US as a whole.
 
2023 Worlds in Saitama. Yuzu was not there. I see no problem with filled seats. If you see any sections where all seats are empty in a group, its because they are required to be that way, as would be the case around broadcasters. The reaction from everyone, including Kevin, is what makes skating so much fun to watch. Great stuff. And with only 1 quad. The sport is not dead, no matter how many ankle biters try to make it so.

As Belinda Noonan comments, "Now isn't it something there are two performances in a row and only one quad between all of that 8 or 9 minutes of skating. And every second of it is compelling." Who are all those people waving French flags - the French? No. They are Japanese. It's what they do, whether it is the 2023 Worlds in Saitama . . .




or the 1998 Olympics in Nagano.

 
lariko said:
There was far more skaters before, in 2018-2019 it was really exciting to see who goes where with a lot of skaters even just between US and Canadian GP stages. Now, it's like exactly the same cast when GP series are supposed to redistribute skaters. I understand that they prefer to place the skaters close to places they are training to, but more shuffling is required. Also, simply more and better skaters, and I am certain they know it. Until locations and line-ups issues are resolved/dramatically improved, I am watching from the comfort of my home. Airfares are crazy, and hotel are expensive, so ISU needs to go into hubs. Better fill a smaller arena in a bigger city than have an empty one in some out of the way place. Tickets to GP stages are good value.

Oh! And the sales of tickets via obligatory phone call like in Allen are simply unacceptable in our day and age.
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I like attending Skate Canada (and Skate America this year) when it is in a convenient location. I also like 4CC in Colorado Springs. I have never been to Worlds, as I think it is too big. But my favorite comp, and one I think you would enjoy, is GPF. We would definitely go again next time it is in North America.

Note: Nationals are also exciting in an Olympic year, with Olympic spots on the line.
 
Rebecca Moose said:
Fortunately, female skaters have the good sense to not skate topless and flaunt nudity on the ice.
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Maybe not topless (and everyone knows why there is a difference in the sexes there) but shall we go back and read some of the posts on Loena's costumes last year, hmmm? And this is all wildly :ot:

Regarding the attendance 2023 Worlds' at Saitama, yes it was pretty full (not, completely or up to the level of earlier years according to Japanese news sources if I recall correctly but don't hold me to that) and that was hardly unexpected given that Japan had 3 of the 4 favourites/gold medallists. And - forgive me for stating the blatantly obvious - it's the sport's biggest event of the year. If they don't manage a respectable crowd for Worlds, the ISU may as well pack it in altogether. And if they can only draw that respectable crowd once a year...
 
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TallyT said:
Regarding the attendance 2023 Worlds' at Saitama, yes it was pretty full (not, completely or up to the level of earlier years according to Japanese news sources if I recall correctly but don't hold me to that) and that was hardly unexpected given that Japan had 3 of the 4 favourites/gold medallists. And - forgive me for stating the blatantly obvious - it's the sport's biggest event of the year. If they don't manage a respectable crowd for Worlds, the ISU may as well pack it in altogether. And if they can only draw that respectable crowd once a year...
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Did it ever occur to anyone that people like to watch sports up close on their computer? And movies? And concerts? I have no interest in sitting in a crowded arena. I wouldn't be interested in any sport if I were forced to watch it like that. So, to keep this bizarre count of how many people sat their butt in a chair and actually thinking it translates to popularity of a sport, especially in this day and age, I'd say some need to rethink how people consume all things visual, in general.
 
Arigato said:
Did it ever occur to anyone that people like to watch sports up close on their computer? And movies? And concerts? I have no interest in sitting in a crowded arena. I wouldn't be interested in any sport if I were forced to watch it like that. So, to keep this bizarre count of how many people sat their butt in a chair and actually thinking it translates to popularity of a sport, especially in this day and age, I'd say some need to rethink how people consume all things visual, in general.
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Of course it does, I am one who has to be dragged to any event of any kind I can watch from the comfort of my favourite chair and laptop! But livestreams and such ain't gonna pay the rather large bills (it's a pricey sport for skaters and TPTB alike) especially since a lot of viewers expect their livestreams free or at least very inexpensive. Plus for the home audience, especially new or casual viewers, a packed and excited audience is always going to make watching more appealing than sparser ones (and godawful cheap-looking rink decor and yes I am looking at you Skate America). A competition/show that attracts a decent/big live audience also can do good things for the area's economy and businesses which makes them all the more willing to welcome figure skating back. Optics and money. can't get away from them: even video game championships seek and chase live audiences.
 
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2 things regarding attendance :

1) since covid, whether it's sports venues or concert halls or movie theatres : the numbers are not what they used to be
2) yes, people nowadays prefer to stay home for some events. I never go to the cinema. I prefer being home, having my own snack, taking a break when I need to and saving a lot of money :) but for skating, if you haven't seen it live, you haven't quite seen it :)
 
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lariko said:
There was far more skaters before, in 2018-2019 it was really exciting to see who goes where with a lot of skaters even just between US and Canadian GP stages. Now, it's like exactly the same cast when GP series are supposed to redistribute skaters. I understand that they prefer to place the skaters close to places they are training to, but more shuffling is required. Also, simply more and better skaters, and I am certain they know it. Until locations and line-ups issues are resolved/dramatically improved, I am watching from the comfort of my home. Airfares are crazy, and hotel are expensive, so ISU needs to go into hubs. Better fill a smaller arena in a bigger city than have an empty one in some out of the way place. Tickets to GP stages are good value.

Oh! And the sales of tickets via obligatory phone call like in Allen are simply unacceptable in our day and age.
Click to expand...
You know, the GP series has a limited amount of skaters.. 12 in singles, 10 in dance and 8 in pairs.... When you say, there were a lot more skaters back then, yes sure... from a certain area of the world... but the statement is false. The GP series has managed to fill its spot easily :) and in some cases, good skaters didn't even get assignments... So I don't think that it's a very accurate statement. Was the level higher... perhaps in one discipline in particular... but it was also boring.

I see many posts from fans, including from yourself, rejoicing to have a variety of flags on the podium. It's been refreshing indeed. The sport is not centered in one area of the world. ;) In other words, you cannot have it all ;) If you want diversity, that also means that it the level of participants may be less homogeneous. I have no problem with that.

Please don't judge the skater I am about to name, but considering Kaiya Ruiter is the champion of Canada, and didn't get two assignments means that there are a lot of other athletes, stronger and deserving. If the level were so low, you'd expect Canada, a usually strong country, to have way more participation on the circuit. That was hardly the case this year.
 
4everchan said:
You know, the GP series has a limited amount of skaters.. 12 in singles, 10 in dance and 8 in pairs.... When you say, there were a lot more skaters back then, yes sure... from a certain area of the world... but the statement is false. The GP series has managed to fill its spot easily :) and in some cases, good skaters didn't even get assignments... So I don't think that it's a very accurate statement. Was the level higher... perhaps in one discipline in particular... but it was also boring.
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Strong skaters didn't get assignments before all the time, it was part of the fun who gets selected with new skaters coming up every season. Anyway, whatever. You enjoy this state of affairs, I do not. So, people who enjoy this sport still can have it, and travel to see Brown 23 times. I am out. I actually finally feel ready to quit sitting there and hoping things would change and improve. Not gonna happen. So, it's time. I am ready to move on.
 
Arigato said:
Did it ever occur to anyone that people like to watch sports up close on their computer? And movies? And concerts?
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I think that there is another point of view.

Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour just racked up US$ 2 billion in live box office. The Disney cartoon Moanna 2 has set all kinds of attendance records in theaters and has taken in $700,000,000 so far. Super Bowl tickets are selling like hot cakes at $9,000 each. Yes, you can watch it for free on TV or computter streaming, but what's the fun of that?

The University of Michigan football team has sold out its 100,000+ seat stadium for every home game since 1976. For many people, "the smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd" is still part of what makes entertainment entertaining.
 
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