Are you excited for the Team event?

[Alex D]

Like women's hockey, synchro is dominated by the same four countries. Considering the ISU has threatened to remove women's hockey from the Olympics if it doesn't become somewhat more equalized, it seems unlikely they would add another sport with the same issues.

Well if this would matter, then Basketball or Ice Hockey would be removed from Olympics already. Besides one little accident the US Basketball team has won every Basketball competition of the past years, the women Ice hockey final is dominated by the US and Canada and even at FS we have those dominating forces at the Ladies with Yuna Kim or S/S - V/T at the pairs.

Yes the dominance is a different one, but I dont know - I dont think that kicking out sports just because someone is very good is the answer to be honest.

As for the team competition,

it just suffers from the same problems that the whole FIS team competition does. The top athletes dont compete, as they are scared to be injured and if they compete then only if the win is like 99% sure.

That makes the whole team thought a bit rusty I think, rusty because it doesnt really present the best athletes but those that are good enough to compete and willing to do so.

In my opinion there should be a seperate team rating, so that if you have a winning athlete in your Ladies competition then you get 100 points, if you have someone come second then 75 etc.

 

[brightphoton]

If gymnastics gets to have a "team" event, and I use that term loosely, then why shouldn't figure skating get to have one too?

Maybe they'll make the selection procedure so wrenching and agonizing that the figure skaters will sob all together on national television when the team is announced. Makes for good TV.

 

[supsu]

Well if this would matter, then Basketball or Ice Hockey would be removed from Olympics already. Besides one little accident the US Basketball team has won every Basketball competition of the past years, the women Ice hockey final is dominated by the US and Canada and even at FS we have those dominating forces at the Ladies with Yuna Kim or S/S - V/T at the pairs.

Yes the dominance is a different one, but I dont know - I dont think that kicking out sports just because someone is very good is the answer to be honest.

As for the team competition,

it just suffers from the same problems that the whole FIS team competition does. The top athletes dont compete, as they are scared to be injured and if they compete then only if the win is like 99% sure.

That makes the whole team thought a bit rusty I think, rusty because it doesnt really present the best athletes but those that are good enough to compete and willing to do so.

In my opinion there should be a seperate team rating, so that if you have a winning athlete in your Ladies competition then you get 100 points, if you have someone come second then 75 etc.

I must disagree with that Canada and US have dominated the ice hockey finals....
In the last 10 Olympics Canada have won 2x and been silver medalists 2x, US won 1x & silver 2x. Total medals Can 4, US 3, Russia (+ SU) 6 medals, Sweden 5, Finland 5, Check Reb (+TCH) 5, West Germany 1. So there's quite a few medalists there...

 

[supsu]

Ahh and I just realized it's women u were talking about--- Sorry!

 

[Mathman]

Welcome, Weir1. Thanks for joining us. :yes:

 

[guenever]

Essentially only Canada, USA, and Russia have a real chance at the team medals, so if synchro has four countries that's more balanced...

 

[TontoK]

I'm very excited for the Team Event!

It gives our sport even more time in the limelight! It provides skaters with a chance for more medals... I think it's likely that we'll see the first double gold medalist from a single Olympics! I think that is exciting!

It's not the first time that figure skating has undergone a "makeover" to make it more fan-friendly... the addition of the short program in the 70's... the elimination of figures in the 90's. The Olympics is when new fans are drawn to the sport, and I hope the team event whets the appetite for more skating.

My only regret is that we can't have an "international" team, comprised of the best skaters from non-qualifying countries. We could have a team of Kim, Ten, and some dance and pair team... you'll have to help me here. Who are the highest dance and pairs teams from non-qualifying countries?

 

[rvi5]

...I dont think that kicking out sports just because someone is very good is the answer to be honest...

Essentially only Canada, USA, and Russia have a real chance at the team medals, so if synchro has four countries that's more balanced...

The fact remains, after Vancouver the IOC has given women's hockey 8 years to show signs of improvement for that reason. The IIHF has responded by implementing international mentoring programs hoping to address the issue.

It was mentioned elsewhere that the IOC would also like to reduce the number of athletes at the Olympics to cut costs. How many skaters are on a hockey or synchro team, multiplied by the number of entry countries? The new FS team event doesn't add new athletes, hence it would be more palatable to the IOC.

 

[rvi5]

...My only regret is that we can't have an "international" team, comprised of the best skaters from non-qualifying countries. We could have a team of Kim, Ten, and some dance and pair team... you'll have to help me here. Who are the highest dance and pairs teams from non-qualifying countries?

That may create a type of all-star team, which has a greater chance of always winning.

Not sure it would help encourage non-qualifying countries to improve their other disciplines.

 

[Skater Boy]

I think it would have made more sense to make synchro an Olympic event instead of making up a whole new thing with athletes that are already in the Games-- but that said, as a Canadian, i can't deny i'm excited about my team's chances.

re: S/S, they've been saying for a while now that they have no interest in competing in the team event.

The problem is money - a lot more skaters with synch and it doens't have the marketing appeal of "traditional" skating. That's a problem.

AS for S/S I wonder if their attitude would change if their team was more of a medal threat or if that was their only shot at competing?

 

[Skater Boy]

Essentially only Canada, USA, and Russia have a real chance at the team medals, so if synchro has four countries that's more balanced...

Well because of the oridanl system and only 5 teams skating the free actually this opens the door to Italy, China and Japan. If it was total points which it isn't then agreed those three teams would be favoured.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

If gymnastics gets to have a "team" event, and I use that term loosely, then why shouldn't figure skating get to have one too?

There are a few important differences:
1) In gymnastics, you do have different specialists and whom you select for a team event depends on each athlete's strengths and weaknesses. In skating, everyone aspires to the same skill set, which would be the equivalent of an "all-around" champion in gymnastics. A strong spinner isn't going to help in the SP or the LP if they don't have an all-around package of jumps and artistry also.
2) Gymnastics uses the team event as the qualification for individual medal events, whereas in skating the competitors for the events is decided before the Games begin.

My fear is that the overexposure of skating the same programs twice could create less interest in the other events that follow the team event.

 

[Krislite]

They probably feel sorry for Yuna because she doesn't get a chance to compete in the team competition and possibly win another gold medal.

Somehow I don't think any of the ladies are feeling sorry for Yuna not getting a chance for two more OGM's, on top of the one she already has.

As for the team event, I'm more curious than excited. If it's gonna be anything like last season's WTT, I'm glad they're getting it out of the way first thing in Sochi.

 

[Poodlepal]

I think they should also have individual medals for different disciplines, like in gymnastics. It wouldn't be easy to judge, but it would be fun. Scott Davis and Lucinda Ruh would've had spinning medals, I'm sure, and Patrick could get a gold in "skating skills and transitions" even if he falls and somehow loses the big gold medal (not likely, probably). Someone like Max Aaron could try to get a medal in quads without trying to change his style and show more emotion or whatever.

I'm looking forward to the team competition, and while I think some things will have to be ironed out, I think it will be a success and more teams countries will be able to field a team in the future.

 

[micnow]

My fear is that the overexposure of skating the same programs twice could create less interest in the other events that follow the team event.

I absolutely agree. this is really dangerous for these events.

I also think that 3 full days is too long for one (team) competition. My proposal would be to create a team competition only with the short program.

 

[lcd]

I expect it to generate more CONFUSION than not amongst the general viewers. Skaters who can claim themselves Olympic medalists will dilute the impact of the skaters who win the individual events. It could also diminish the impact that specific performances can have if they are seen more than once. Will require an impressive performer to overcome that potential over-exposure risk. Also, those without charisma or personality, should stay away from the media, as it would be twice the opportunity to underwhelm the world.

 

[brightphoton]

There are a few important differences:
1) In gymnastics, you do have different specialists and whom you select for a team event depends on each athlete's strengths and weaknesses. In skating, everyone aspires to the same skill set, which would be the equivalent of an "all-around" champion in gymnastics. A strong spinner isn't going to help in the SP or the LP if they don't have an all-around package of jumps and artistry also.
2) Gymnastics uses the team event as the qualification for individual medal events, whereas in skating the competitors for the events is decided before the Games begin.

My fear is that the overexposure of skating the same programs twice could create less interest in the other events that follow the team event.

I see. Then maybe figure skating should have a team event with special areas.

Spinning gold, silver, bronze medalists
Spiral gold, silver, bronze medalists
Footwork gold, silver, bronze medalists
Edging gold, silver, bronze medalists
Jumping gold, silver, bronze medalists

We wouldn't get tired of skaters' programs, and people like Alissa Czisny get to go to the Olympics

 

[ElleluvsL]

I thought that it had already been confirmed that different skaters would be chosen to skate the short and long programs. So for example, if Ashley Wagner is chosen to compete the ladies long program for the US team, those watching would still need to wait for the individual ladies event to see her 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond' program. So there would still be something new to see later on rather than seeing the same programs over and over and getting tired of them, especially since the general audiences watching these events will be seeing these programs for the first time anyways.

However, I do have some worries about this team event and how the skaters will train simultaneously for it and their individual events, I don't want some of my favorites to tire out so early on, but skating their Olympic programs before an Olympic audience right off the bat could prove to be the best possible practice. I sure hope it is anyway.

 

[Skater Boy]

It is hard to replicate the experience but hopefully those skating in the team even can use it like "practice" so they aren't tired for their event. I meanthey practice often long hours hand do a few run throughs a day so really if they can mentally train they have a skate a day it is less th an usual - but how they react to the stress and pressure is another issue. I am not suremedals in individual events will work namely because what would be the categories.

 

[Mathman]

My proposal would be to create a team competition only with the short program.

All figure skating contests should be like that. It should be the "trophy dash" model (from stock car racing). An event like, say, NHK would go like this. You have the shirt program. The winner wins the "NHK Trophy dash." He gets a trophy. Then there is the competition proper. The slate is wiped clean. There is a long program. The winner gets the NHK title, points toward the Grand Prix Final, etc.