Figure Skating in Australia

[skaterfan2501]

I dont think they are referring to the Dodds family its more the family in admin positions who are opening new rinks and making decisions that are negatively affecting skating in this country. Good luck to all our skaters at 4CC - its their chance to shine and shuut the negative people up.

 

[Urucubaca]

Seems Urucubaca is a new member trying to stir more about issues that we have already moved passed from

Hardly my intention. Lending a voice to where it's needed.

I really hate that the thread that i made has been turned into a big mess.
To those who turned the page into this, all i can say is 'How dare you do such a thing'
And 'how dare you make accusations against honest casual fans (and not connected to any one in my country's skating community- like me) conspiring to belittle other skaters'

And thankyou for those who keep it positive.

My sincerest apologies for opening this can of worms.

 

[edwinaskater1943]

It interesting that you pointed out valid facts but are accused of being negative. Apparently it's ok to have a go at Charlton but none of the others Karne supports ...roll eye, sarcasm whatever

 

[sk8ingcoach]

its more the family in admin positions who are opening new rinks and making decisions that are negatively affecting skating in this country.

I would assume you're talking about the Cain/Lynch Family. I don't think they are negatively affecting skating ??

 

[skaterfan2501]

I would assume you're talking about the Cain/Lynch Family. I don't think they are negatively affecting skating ??

Of course you wouldn't lol

 

[sk8ingcoach]

Of course you wouldn't lol

You don't know me so you can't really say that.... But what have they done so bad that you think they are such terrible people ? Atleast they are getting stuff done. Our last president did nothing

 

[edwinaskater1943]

Not terrible people but huge conflict of interest being President and pushing your own rink , lowering standards to encourage kids to the sport on the premise that you can represent the country after skating for 2 years. Its now clear the motives for the relaxation of many things in recent years and totally unacceptable in other sports

 

[skaterfan2501]

Not terrible people but huge conflict of interest being President and pushing your own rink , lowering standards to encourage kids to the sport on the premise that you can represent the country after skating for 2 years. Its now clear the motives for the relaxation of many things in recent years and totally unacceptable in other sports

Wow someone said it - the elephant in the room. Good on you!

 

[sk8ingcoach]

There are always conflicts of interest in this sport. Especially in Australia where it is such a small community. Standards were lowered before Peter became president. When the ISA Tech Minimum scores were introduced they were too low. We all know that. But you cannot just blame the Lynch/Cain family for that. There was a whole committee who decided those scores.

I agree that perhaps Australia is currently allowing skaters to represent their country without achieving too much. I know some people who have been to overseas events but not too nationals, which is of course ridiculous. The scores have been raised since they were first introduced and they are probably almost at the correct level imo, but i don't think skaters coming 17th at nationals should not be able to go overseas just because they achieved the minimum scores. Obviously some changes have to be made and im sure they will. I personally think for example that even if you have achieved the tech minimum scores, that no skater should be sent overseas unless ranked in the top 10 of their division. Thats just a suggestion. But you also have to remember that we are not the USA or Russia. Countries like Croatia and Poland send nearly all of their skaters to international events. Sure some would say it's unfair to senior skaters who didn't get to go when they were young. But times are changing. Best get used to it

 

[skaterfan2501]

There are always conflicts of interest in this sport. Especially in Australia where it is such a small community. Standards were lowered before Peter became president. When the ISA Tech Minimum scores were introduced they were too low. We all know that. But you cannot just blame the Lynch/Cain family for that. There was a whole committee who decided those scores.

I agree that perhaps Australia is currently allowing skaters to represent their country without achieving too much. I know some people who have been to overseas events but not too nationals, which is of course ridiculous. The scores have been raised since they were first introduced and they are probably almost at the correct level imo, but i don't think skaters coming 17th at nationals should not be able to go overseas just because they achieved the minimum scores. Obviously some changes have to be made and im sure they will. I personally think for example that even if you have achieved the tech minimum scores, that no skater should be sent overseas unless ranked in the top 10 of their division. Thats just a suggestion. But you also have to remember that we are not the USA or Russia. Countries like Croatia and Poland send nearly all of their skaters to international events. Sure some would say it's unfair to senior skaters who didn't get to go when they were young. But times are changing. Best get used to it

You raise some good points and I agree its really unfair to kids who worked really hard for many years striving to get an international only to see a 10 year old get a chance and wear a rep jacket. Im not from Qld but i believe up there they get funding as well.

On the other point I think its very dangerous when you have one family owning rinks, coaching, judging and specialising at ISU level and dominating ISA. Regardless of their honesty and good intentions there is a clear conflict of interest which cant be denied. The reduction in TES scores was driven by a certain few who ignored HP at the time who were pushing their own agenda.

Our international results have not improved, we dont gave any skaters at YOG for the first time and may not even get a spot in 2018. Brendan is the exception but the current senior ladies are dissapointing compared to past years.

 

[sk8ingcoach]

Oh i'm not denying that there is a COI, but there is always a COI. almost everyone in the aus skating community is either related, married, were coached by each other, have been best friends forever. There is nothing anyone can do about that. And i think it is the least of our worries

Remember that raising scores isn't gonna magically get skaters triples. Sure raising them might make skaters work harder to achieve them, but some people just aren't going to be able to do a double axel. But raising them may also make skaters lose hope and quit the sport all together. That's why i think ISA should leave the scores where they are, but create a policy that only allows skaters with a certain nationals ranking to be able to compete overseas.

Skating is also far more competitive atm. Australia has always struggled to get skaters into the olympics. It was a miracle that Cheltzie Lee made it in 2010. I have confidence that Kailani will make it in 2018. Brendan is a bit of a roller coaster sometimes but im sure we will earn atleast 1 spot in 2018.

 

[dorispulaski]

I have split the political comments of the last several pages into a separate State of Australian Skating thread in the Edge here:
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?58547-State-of-Australian-Skating-2016/


Fan Fest team threads are for positive support of a country's team, a place to celebrate accomplishments, look to upcoming competitions, and be a general virtual pep rally for the skaters on team Australia.

While positive comments are of course welcome in both threads, political discussions belong in the other thread.

Please keep to the site guidelines in both threads.

 

[Urucubaca]

You raise some good points and I agree its really unfair to kids who worked really hard for many years striving to get an international only to see a 10 year old get a chance and wear a rep jacket. Im not from Qld but i believe up there they get funding as well.

I believe that ISQ's policies are changing to block attempts of people joining solely for the purpose of gaining funding. Correct me if I can wrong, but there were skaters from other States interested in joining to leech off ISQ's superior system.

I am convinced that ISQ is doing it right. While I am sure they have politics within their 'system', with all the different groups, it is a far better system than any other State. It even has influence from the strong Synchronised Clubs, which, between them, tend to dominate Australian Nationals.

On the other point I think its very dangerous when you have one family owning rinks, coaching, judging and specialising at ISU level and dominating ISA. Regardless of their honesty and good intentions there is a clear conflict of interest which cant be denied.

The same reason why Democracy overtook Monarchy. It's hard not to look for ill intentions, even if there aren't any. Personally, I'd be more worried about other groups before I even thought the Cain/Lynch situation could develop problems.

The reduction in TES scores was driven by a certain few who ignored HP at the time who were pushing their own agenda.

When this was brought in, it had many people across the country looking to find any sort of reason to why it changed and managed to JUST cover some select skaters. Some of the theories are VERY convincing.

 

[karne]

Per doris' request, I shall post the time conversions for #4CCTaipeiCity.

Times AEDT as usual.

I will, unfortunately, likely miss Matilda and William in both segments as I will be at work.

THURSDAY 18th FEBRUARY

Short Dance (Matilda and William): 15:45 - 18:15

Ladies' Short Program (Kailani, Brooklee and Katie): 19:40 - 22:50

Pairs' Short Program: 23:30 - 01:15 (Friday)

FRIDAY 19th FEBRUARY

Free Dance: 16:30 - 19:15

Men's Short Program (Brendan and Andrew): 20:55 - 00:45 (Saturday)

SATURDAY 20th FEBRUARY

Pairs' Free Skate: 17:30 - 19:30

Ladies' Free Skate: 21:15 - 00:55 (Sunday)

SUNDAY 21st FEBURARY

Men's Free Skate: 15:00 - 19:00

Gala: 21:00 - 23:00

The ISU's stream will be geoblocked for us. I recommend the use of Hola or another VPN blocking service, otherwise there will probably be alternatives provided in the event threads.

This weekend SBS is replaying their Men/Pairs highlights package from Euros. I presume 4CCs highlights will commence the following week and that we can expect that all of the Australian skaters will be shown.

 

[GF2445]

I have some good news.
I just watched a video from SBS about worlds. Though they advertised highlights for the next three weekends after worlds, they said that they will be showing live coverage between April 2-3.

 

[karne]

I have some good news.
I just watched a video from SBS about worlds. Though they advertised highlights for the next three weekends after worlds, they said that they will be showing live coverage between April 2-3.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean, I'll be there, so it's not like it matters to me, but that makes me SO HAPPY for you guys!!!!!!!!! I'll wave the Australian flag EXTRA HARD!

 

[Princessroja]

I know this is kind of a dangerous question, and I don't want to stir up anything, but what *is* the Cain/Lynch situation? I'm obviously not from Australia, but I like the Australian skaters a lot, and this whole discussion is really confusing to me.

 

[skaterfan2501]

I know this is kind of a dangerous question, and I don't want to stir up anything, but what *is* the Cain/Lynch situation? I'm obviously not from Australia, but I like the Australian skaters a lot, and this whole discussion is really confusing to me.

Its not really a situation - one brother is President of federation married to coach/choreographer/ice show promoter. They are also building a new rink. The presidents brother is married to an ISU tech specialist who also sits on federation. They all seem nice people and there maybe more connections but you can see how there is a dominate influence - good if you are coached or friends - maybe not if you aren't ! At the last election people were very divided.

 

[Princessroja]

Its not really a situation - one brother is President of federation married to coach/choreographer/ice show promoter. They are also building a new rink. The presidents brother is married to an ISU tech specialist who also sits on federation. They all seem nice people and there maybe more connections but you can see how there is a dominate influence - good if you are coached or friends - maybe not if you aren't ! At the last election people were very divided.

Ah I gotcha. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[skaterfan2501]

Interesting results tonight at 4CC. Brooklee can certainly pull it out against the worlds best - great job tonight after a pretty rough season. Guess she will be at Worlds. Pasfields results dissapointing after such huge scores in UAE and clean program. Kailani improving in presentation but not so much in marks this season. Great work to all the Aussies including Matilda & William.