- Joined
- Apr 14, 2018
Ah, that’s good to know. Thank you.
British and Irish Figure skating 2021-2022
- Thread starter litenkyckling
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- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
Welcome back! There will be a 2nd series of 4 x 45 docs after this one. They definitely filmed the Tayside Trophy in Dundee last Autumn as I could see them following PJ and Tash around on the livestream.
I thought the first episode was brilliant. But you're right, Sheffield may be the home of BIS but Dundee is way more successful at producing skaters.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
Simon Reed & Chris Howarth for the past couple of days has been very enjoyable, like the old days on Eurosport.
So glad I renewed my subscription. Apparently FS Fans trying to catch up on BBC iPlayer have been left frustrated as not all the Skating was shown as they left for other Sports.
So glad I renewed my subscription. Apparently FS Fans trying to catch up on BBC iPlayer have been left frustrated as not all the Skating was shown as they left for other Sports.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
I heard 5 mins of Olly & Belinda at the start of Men's SP today before Eurosport Player switched plugs away from the world feed to Simon & Chris. Olly is very bouncy and particular about names eg it was "the People's Republic of China" but I didn't hear for long enough to make an assessment of his Skating knowledge. But really with Belinda Nonnan there he just needs to be a gob on a mic with the introductions.
Just before the final 2 groups Simon started talking about the rest of the Skating being on Discovery Plus and I was ready to scream. However we stayed on it so I presume he was referring to the TV channel not the Player, as they were going to Skiing. In a way that's why the world feed uninterrupted makes more sense for the Player as in past Olympics. Less confusion. But I think they know people pay Eurosport Player subscriptions for Skating.
Just before the final 2 groups Simon started talking about the rest of the Skating being on Discovery Plus and I was ready to scream. However we stayed on it so I presume he was referring to the TV channel not the Player, as they were going to Skiing. In a way that's why the world feed uninterrupted makes more sense for the Player as in past Olympics. Less confusion. But I think they know people pay Eurosport Player subscriptions for Skating.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
Zoe Jones Coaching some youngsters on the One Show yesterday.
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2018
My heart broke for Harry that his coach attacked him. I couldn’t believe it.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2019
Only just catching up with Freeze and watched the third one last night. My heart broke at that part, too. And then I wondered why Harry didn't thump him back. It's not like he's a small bloke, is he? (Maybe I'm just too fiery for my own good...)
I'm struggling to watch the skating on any channel. We have BT Sport, which is mostly useless it would seem and the iPlayer seems to have decided that figure skating no longer exists after the Mens competition. I subscribed to Discovery+ on my tablet but can't get it on the TV (I am only technically minded when it comes to sewing and skating) and have found that whilst watching live is great, watching on catch-up is, well, pretty much unwatchable as it's terribly jumpy and fuzzy. No idea what to do about that.
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2018
Not sure if this is any help after the event, but BBC did show the whole women's event on the red button. There's a brief intermission for alpine combined during the ice resurfacing, but the whole event is available to replay, on the off-chance you didn't see it live:
Link here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episo...-13-red-button-10001300-figure-skating-skiing
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2019
Thank you. I've given up with Discovery+, other than for live, and am watching on the iPlayer now.
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2012
OK, so after being barely affected by Storm Eunice on Friday, Northern Ireland got well and truly battered by Storm Franklin overnight. There were still very strong winds when I got up this morning, and I don't like putting on the computer when there is stormy weather (in case there is a power cut, and the computer gets messed up). So, whereas I would usually go online and do things, I instead took the opportunity to watch the first episode of "Freeze", which I had taped when it was shown at the start of the Olympics.
Firstly, I take it that "Freeze" was made my the same people that made "Ice Stars". Because it is EXACTLY the same format, only more grown-up.
What did I take from it? Well, first and foremost, Billy Wilson-French badly needs something done with his hair. How on Earth can he put up with hair drooping in front of his eyes?! It would drive me mad!!!
I had to laugh at how awkward he and Katarina DelCamp were with each other on that videocall! I was thinking "oh, this doesn't bode well". But, I suppose that is normal when you "meet" a potential partner for the first time. Be it a skating partner or a romantic partner, it is all the same. But, when we did see them meeting in person, it was a lot better. And I loved the way that Katarina's Mum broke the ice (so to speak!) after their initial introductions. (I bet @La Rhumba loved it too!
)
It was so amusing seeing them at the rink for their try-out, with Billy wearing a Team GB jacket and Katarina wearing a USFS jacket! I have to be honest, they both looked very rusty at the start. But, it improved.
I think it is safe to say that most people on this forum love Mark Hanretty as a commentator. But, after seeing him in the day job, I really like him as a coach too. He is so down to Earth, and so supportive. Just as I imagined he would be. And Mok Ye-Bin is just lovely!
(Was this filmed while she was pregnant? Because it doesn't seem like very long ago since she had the baby).
Moving on, and I just love Lydia Smart! I just love her personality, and her approach to things. Harry Mattick is very different to his skating partner, but I do feel they compliment each other really well.
Did I pick this up right? That Lydia and Harry moved in together when the lockdown was announced, so that they could continue training. That was a big commitment! The thing that puzzled me was whether this setup also included Lydia's boyfriend and Harry's girlfriend. We saw them all together in the house at one point, but it wasn't made clear if they were visiting or if that was the way it was. I have to say, I really like Harry's girlfiend too. She's another one with a great personality!
And then, we have PJ. He is just as likable off the ice as he is on it. His was arguably the most insightful story of the whole episode. The troubles he was having when he got back onto the ice really showed the effect that the lockdown had (for those that are not familiar with what happened in the UK, all ice rinks were closed for well over a year, because the government took the position that ice skating was a recreation activity rather than a sport). And, honestly, after seeing that, I am now convinced that the impact that being off the ice for so long had on his skating was the main factor that led to his decision to retire, rather than the financial issues (which, let's face it, were always there).
It was nice spotting other skaters during the clips from competitions that were interspersed throughout the episode. Given what has been going on the couple of weeks between the episode being broadcast and now, I thought it was very fitting that we had a clip of Keegan Messing with his giant flag!
I really enjoyed Episode 1. And I am looking forward to watching the rest of the series. One slight problem is that I made a mess of setting the timer for Episode 2, and for some reason the series is not on iPlayer on Sky. So, I will have to watch that particular episode online, and hope it gets repeated at some stage (or gets added to Sky) so that I can tape it.
The only thing that is spoiling watching "Freeze" for me is the sheer size of the DOG (digital on-screen graphic) on BBC3 since it came back as a linear channel. It is MASSIVE!!! It stretches so far into the screen, and is so distracting! I realise that BBC3 and BBC4 always had DOG's (unlike BBC1 and BBC2), but they were never THAT big before! 
If the BBC are going to use that big a font size for their DOG's, I wish they would go back to having the number in the channel logos as a figure rather than as a word (like it was before 1997).
CaroLiza_fan
Firstly, I take it that "Freeze" was made my the same people that made "Ice Stars". Because it is EXACTLY the same format, only more grown-up.
What did I take from it? Well, first and foremost, Billy Wilson-French badly needs something done with his hair. How on Earth can he put up with hair drooping in front of his eyes?! It would drive me mad!!!
I had to laugh at how awkward he and Katarina DelCamp were with each other on that videocall! I was thinking "oh, this doesn't bode well". But, I suppose that is normal when you "meet" a potential partner for the first time. Be it a skating partner or a romantic partner, it is all the same. But, when we did see them meeting in person, it was a lot better. And I loved the way that Katarina's Mum broke the ice (so to speak!) after their initial introductions. (I bet @La Rhumba loved it too!
)It was so amusing seeing them at the rink for their try-out, with Billy wearing a Team GB jacket and Katarina wearing a USFS jacket! I have to be honest, they both looked very rusty at the start. But, it improved.
I think it is safe to say that most people on this forum love Mark Hanretty as a commentator. But, after seeing him in the day job, I really like him as a coach too. He is so down to Earth, and so supportive. Just as I imagined he would be. And Mok Ye-Bin is just lovely!
(Was this filmed while she was pregnant? Because it doesn't seem like very long ago since she had the baby).Moving on, and I just love Lydia Smart! I just love her personality, and her approach to things. Harry Mattick is very different to his skating partner, but I do feel they compliment each other really well.
Did I pick this up right? That Lydia and Harry moved in together when the lockdown was announced, so that they could continue training. That was a big commitment! The thing that puzzled me was whether this setup also included Lydia's boyfriend and Harry's girlfriend. We saw them all together in the house at one point, but it wasn't made clear if they were visiting or if that was the way it was. I have to say, I really like Harry's girlfiend too. She's another one with a great personality!
And then, we have PJ. He is just as likable off the ice as he is on it. His was arguably the most insightful story of the whole episode. The troubles he was having when he got back onto the ice really showed the effect that the lockdown had (for those that are not familiar with what happened in the UK, all ice rinks were closed for well over a year, because the government took the position that ice skating was a recreation activity rather than a sport). And, honestly, after seeing that, I am now convinced that the impact that being off the ice for so long had on his skating was the main factor that led to his decision to retire, rather than the financial issues (which, let's face it, were always there).
It was nice spotting other skaters during the clips from competitions that were interspersed throughout the episode. Given what has been going on the couple of weeks between the episode being broadcast and now, I thought it was very fitting that we had a clip of Keegan Messing with his giant flag!
I really enjoyed Episode 1. And I am looking forward to watching the rest of the series. One slight problem is that I made a mess of setting the timer for Episode 2, and for some reason the series is not on iPlayer on Sky. So, I will have to watch that particular episode online, and hope it gets repeated at some stage (or gets added to Sky) so that I can tape it.
The only thing that is spoiling watching "Freeze" for me is the sheer size of the DOG (digital on-screen graphic) on BBC3 since it came back as a linear channel. It is MASSIVE!!! It stretches so far into the screen, and is so distracting!
I realise that BBC3 and BBC4 always had DOG's (unlike BBC1 and BBC2), but they were never THAT big before! If the BBC are going to use that big a font size for their DOG's, I wish they would go back to having the number in the channel logos as a figure rather than as a word (like it was before 1997).
CaroLiza_fan
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
I should warn you @CaroLiza_fan please be prepared for episode 3. I didn't know what @DSQ Was talking about earlier in her post, as I only watched episodes 3 & 4 this past couple of days. But omg! I've recorded the 2 minutes section that is so shocking but daren't upload it but I really want to know the name of the Russian coach in America who was so beastly to Harry, who should've reported him. He should be named and shamed! I do agree with Lydia, it has affected Harry's behaviour, but it's unfair on her as she is the one who can get seriously injured if he drops her whilst fatigued. I'm excited by this Pair, and after Zoe & Chris go to Worlds and then probably retire, it'll be good to have 2 Senior Pairs still battling it out for the British Championships.
I do agree that Freeze has been a wonderful series, very eye opening and interesting non stop! The only quibble is in episode 4 which features the August Qualifier at Sheffield. They show some of the Dancers but like Ice Stars did before it, confuse the FD with the RD. Documentary makers don't seem capable of explaining in Skating there are 2 programs. That was the only let down. I spotted Ashlie and Atl practising in episode 4 too in Sheffield. But blink and you'll miss them.
I would recommend the 2 extra clips on the programme website. One is about the financial support families give to skaters. The second about their relationship with coaches. Very interesting.
Roll on series 2! Cannot wait!
I do agree that Freeze has been a wonderful series, very eye opening and interesting non stop! The only quibble is in episode 4 which features the August Qualifier at Sheffield. They show some of the Dancers but like Ice Stars did before it, confuse the FD with the RD. Documentary makers don't seem capable of explaining in Skating there are 2 programs. That was the only let down. I spotted Ashlie and Atl practising in episode 4 too in Sheffield. But blink and you'll miss them.
I would recommend the 2 extra clips on the programme website. One is about the financial support families give to skaters. The second about their relationship with coaches. Very interesting.
Roll on series 2! Cannot wait!
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2012
Since I couldn't wait, I watched Episode 2 of "Freeze" on the computer this morning.
Firstly, that was a disgrace that the test skates were brought forward a whole month. Especially after the skaters had been off the ice for so long. How on Earth are they supposed to properly prepare for it?!
I don't really want to dwell on it, but seeing PJ continue to struggle has reinforced my opinion that the lockdown has affected his skating really badly.
Although regular visitors to this thread already knew what happened, we found out in this episode whether Billy and Katarina were going to make a go of it. I had to laugh at Billy when he said that this would be an important decision, because this would be the person that he would be skating with for the next 20 years. And I was thinking "would you catch yourself on?! You're not being realistic. It is very rare for a partnership to last even half that length of time. And if you are expecting it to last that long, it will put immense pressure on the relationship between you and your partner".
I never really developed an opinion on Kristen Spours over the years. She was always one of these skaters whose name you knew, but you didn't really know much else about her. But, after seeing her in this episode, I just love her! She is not your classic ice princess at all - she's a tomboy. She said it herself - she is not what you think of when you think of a figure skater. Or, as she put it, "I'm not a skinny 15 year old Russian girl". That she had the confidence to actually say that really endeared her to me.
She's a rebel. And we all love a rebel.
But, my goodness, I had no idea about her injury and what she went through. It just shows how much will and determination she has that she came back from a serious back injury. But, now that I know about it, I have to admit that I am scared seeing her skating. Worrying that she might fall awkwardly and do herself permanent damage.
I did find it amusing seeing Kristen on a harness held by Phil Harris. Like, Kristen is the same height and a similar build to Phil. I'm not doubting Phil's strength, but you kinda expect the person working the harness to be double the size of the person on it!
Think about it - if the person holding the harness isn't towering above the skater, it limits how far she can jump, be it horizontally or vertically. That said, given the condition of Kristen's back, that might be a good thing.
And it was very interesting seeing her trip to Italy to train with Ondřej Hotárek. Like with Mark in the previous episode, Ondřej really impressed me as a coach. Although, as a bloke, I was a bit disappointed that his wife didn't make an appearance...
I have to be honest, Eleanor Hirst / Anthony Curry had never come up on my radar before. But, I really took to both of them when watching that episode. They are just so likable. I felt so disappointed for them when they got the news that they hadn't made it onto the team. But, at least they were philosophical about it.
@La Rhumba - why do I recognise Hilary Selby's name? Was she a coach of somebody famous? I know I've come across her before, but I can't think where. Of course, I knew Candy.
By the way, Eleanor and Anthony are competing at the Challenge Cup this week. The Senior Dancers are the last on the bill on both Thursday and Friday.
And Lydia and Harry are also going to Tilburg. The Senior Pairs are the last on the bill on Saturday and Sunday.
Although I have so far only seen her in short interview snippets in the two episodes I have watched, Nina Povey is also competing at the Challenge Cup. The Short is on Saturday and the Free is on Sunday. However, I am a bit confused as to when exactly the Senior Ladies are on, because the timetable on the Entries / Results has two Senior Ladies segments on each day. And in each case, when you click on the second one, it takes you to the Junior Pairs pages. (Even though the Junior Pairs are not mentioned at all on the index page).
All the best to them!
CaroLiza_fan
Firstly, that was a disgrace that the test skates were brought forward a whole month. Especially after the skaters had been off the ice for so long. How on Earth are they supposed to properly prepare for it?!
I don't really want to dwell on it, but seeing PJ continue to struggle has reinforced my opinion that the lockdown has affected his skating really badly.
Although regular visitors to this thread already knew what happened, we found out in this episode whether Billy and Katarina were going to make a go of it. I had to laugh at Billy when he said that this would be an important decision, because this would be the person that he would be skating with for the next 20 years. And I was thinking "would you catch yourself on?! You're not being realistic. It is very rare for a partnership to last even half that length of time. And if you are expecting it to last that long, it will put immense pressure on the relationship between you and your partner".
I never really developed an opinion on Kristen Spours over the years. She was always one of these skaters whose name you knew, but you didn't really know much else about her. But, after seeing her in this episode, I just love her! She is not your classic ice princess at all - she's a tomboy. She said it herself - she is not what you think of when you think of a figure skater. Or, as she put it, "I'm not a skinny 15 year old Russian girl". That she had the confidence to actually say that really endeared her to me.
She's a rebel. And we all love a rebel.
But, my goodness, I had no idea about her injury and what she went through. It just shows how much will and determination she has that she came back from a serious back injury. But, now that I know about it, I have to admit that I am scared seeing her skating. Worrying that she might fall awkwardly and do herself permanent damage.
I did find it amusing seeing Kristen on a harness held by Phil Harris. Like, Kristen is the same height and a similar build to Phil. I'm not doubting Phil's strength, but you kinda expect the person working the harness to be double the size of the person on it!
Think about it - if the person holding the harness isn't towering above the skater, it limits how far she can jump, be it horizontally or vertically. That said, given the condition of Kristen's back, that might be a good thing.
And it was very interesting seeing her trip to Italy to train with Ondřej Hotárek. Like with Mark in the previous episode, Ondřej really impressed me as a coach. Although, as a bloke, I was a bit disappointed that his wife didn't make an appearance...
I have to be honest, Eleanor Hirst / Anthony Curry had never come up on my radar before. But, I really took to both of them when watching that episode. They are just so likable. I felt so disappointed for them when they got the news that they hadn't made it onto the team. But, at least they were philosophical about it.
@La Rhumba - why do I recognise Hilary Selby's name? Was she a coach of somebody famous? I know I've come across her before, but I can't think where. Of course, I knew Candy.
By the way, Eleanor and Anthony are competing at the Challenge Cup this week. The Senior Dancers are the last on the bill on both Thursday and Friday.
And Lydia and Harry are also going to Tilburg. The Senior Pairs are the last on the bill on Saturday and Sunday.
Although I have so far only seen her in short interview snippets in the two episodes I have watched, Nina Povey is also competing at the Challenge Cup. The Short is on Saturday and the Free is on Sunday. However, I am a bit confused as to when exactly the Senior Ladies are on, because the timetable on the Entries / Results has two Senior Ladies segments on each day. And in each case, when you click on the second one, it takes you to the Junior Pairs pages. (Even though the Junior Pairs are not mentioned at all on the index page).
All the best to them!
CaroLiza_fan
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
@CaroLiza_fan Hilary Selby is a top Official and Senior icedance Judge, Referee and ISU Committee member. You may've heard her name mentioned in relation to Judging or ISU technical videos. She's very quietly spoken.
Good Luck to all the skaters taking part in the Ice Challenge in the Netherlands. Excited for them all!
Good Luck to all the skaters taking part in the Ice Challenge in the Netherlands. Excited for them all!
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
I've been uploading some videos of performances from Challenge Cup.
Thank you, @La Rhumba - I missed seeing this live.
I enjoyed seeing Harry Mattick and Lydia Smart - they did very well for their (presumably first?) international outing as a pair. Loads of potential here and I'm looking forward to seeing them at the British qualifiers later in the year.
Can we start a fan page for them on Goldenskate?
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
I uploaded some clips from Eps 3 & 4 of Freeze.
At the end the programme confirmed it will return for series 2 but no date mentioned yet.
At the end the programme confirmed it will return for series 2 but no date mentioned yet.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2015
He did an axel?!
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2006
A few of us watching were offended by the language used in songs played and the X certificate subject matter of songs played during the Advanced Novice Girls event and all events at Challenge Cup last weekend in the Netherlands and quelle surprise some videos have been blocked on music copyright grounds.
Video title: Lydia Smart / Harry Mattick GBR Free Program
Copyrighted content: Another You
Claimed by: SME, JustEnte - International, Altafonte Network S.L., [Merlin] Armada Music, UMG, INgrooves, Kontor Records
Blocked countries: Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia
This was the reason why the day's action wasn't archived. Such a waste! They deafened us with dreadful music that was totally inappropriate resulting in copyright violations which took them offline a few times during the livestream. Why???? Iam genuinely flabbergasted. We think Europeans all speak English but they seem to misunderstand how it's quite shocking to play commercial songs with the F word the S word, the N word and describing violent sex and violence.....during a Skating competition with young people, blaring out?
Video title: Lydia Smart / Harry Mattick GBR Free Program
Copyrighted content: Another You
Claimed by: SME, JustEnte - International, Altafonte Network S.L., [Merlin] Armada Music, UMG, INgrooves, Kontor Records
Blocked countries: Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia
This was the reason why the day's action wasn't archived. Such a waste! They deafened us with dreadful music that was totally inappropriate resulting in copyright violations which took them offline a few times during the livestream. Why???? Iam genuinely flabbergasted. We think Europeans all speak English but they seem to misunderstand how it's quite shocking to play commercial songs with the F word the S word, the N word and describing violent sex and violence.....during a Skating competition with young people, blaring out?
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