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How to hack COP for the Olympics season

OS

Sedated by Modonium
Record Breaker
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Off season crazy thread, you know how it goes.... or not so crazy!!!? :devil:

Here's a list of recommendations for the non-European federations and skaters to ride the PCS wave that is the current COP inflation machine. To jostle, hustle, and muscle making lemonade out of COP - complete with full set of artificial colourings, flavourings, and preservatives to boost the sweet taste of PCS bubbles like a European pro.

Feel free to add your own.


1. Program Choice: Pick a European war horse

Something with obvious built in emotions, respectability, and steady and easy rhythm that is giving even when you make mistakes. One that can do all the emotion for you.

e.g Carmen, Romeo & Juliet, Ave Maria, or Swan lake, or something Russian ballet related at the Olympics just can't go wrong.


2. Theme choice: Pick some historically tragic, bigger than life

Full on emotional blackmail exploitation - tears and grand gestures. Don't worry about being offensive, think of the colourful posters! Tackiness or sensationalism has been the golden way to boost your PCS. Judges can be extremely thick skinned among 'other' things.


3. Backloading your jumps with 100% enthusiasm

THREE jump passes after half way point in the short program.
SEVEN jump passes after halfway point in the long.

21% Min. PCS inflation guaranteed (well...ish.)

Don't be afraid to be shamelessly milking it like a Russian. No need to go for a big 3lz3t, just focus on getting everything landed with no UR. No need to put in effort on things like height, distance or speed, because it simply doesn't count that much these days. Attacking your programs with speed, ice coverage and balanced choreography is extremely overrated and worthless. Focus on endurance and epic jump drills.


GKelly's GOOD approach for half way bonus

First, get busy with the double runthroughs, gym workouts, etc. to train your stamina/aerobic capacity to the max.

Second, don't waste time in the first half of the program. Use it productively. You've got three spins and a step sequence (plus a choreo sequence in the FS) to get into the program as well as jumps -- put most of those in the first half and work the GOEs by doing them when you're fresh instead of tired at the end.

Try to do it in a way that works with the music and program theme and looks like you're building up to a climax with the jumps, not just killing time waiting for a bonus.

Anything you can do in the first half that shows off your skating skills and music interpretation skills and performance skills that ties the program together in theme and movement continuity will help your program component scores. Choreograph that first half even more carefully than the second half, and choreography the two halves to make sense together, blending from one to the other, in that order.

If you have any special skills that don't fit into a standard element, show them off between elements.

Anything you can do while moving across the ice will be worth more than what you do standing still. But you might want to give your self two or three seconds standing or gliding on two feet with simple upper body choreo at the end of the first half of the freeskate, to catch your breath and catch your balance before launching into your jump display.


4. Practice your Tanos/Rippons, and helicopter arms

Make sure you can do these with all your jumps, just in case you need them. And just in case of ISU decide they would not be changing the rule before the Olympics after all, and somebody was just passing out false information to ensure people wouldn't bother with practising.

If you can provide a more aesthetic helicopter arms than the reigning world champion, with original movements, like do the victory signs, do the Trumpian 2 thumbs up while you jump, you may get a higher chance of greater GOEs. More than enough to make up any missing difficult 3/3 combos.


5. Cook up an easily digestible dish for the judges

Spoon feed judges with invisible props:
skipping ropes, pulling ropes (anything with ropes), briefcases, phones has been proven to be extremely effective. Don't be afraid to bring out the shimmi, blew kisses, the hoodwink flirtation at the judges, saturday night fever, shoot an arrow that injuries your heart, and ofcourse the dying dramatically on the ice at the end with tears in your eye. Consider doing the hokie pokie, the sprinkler, the macarena, the hammer time, YMCA, the lawn mower, the chicken dance. Bring about your spirit fingers, doing the robot, kungfu fighting chopping hands, Elvis legs, Gangnam style horse riding skills may give those extra PCS points with a little help from the lively audience, and hopefully, add tons of transition GOEs.


6. Make sure you lead at nationals

Get your house politics in order. Beg, bribe, kiss, grovel if you have to (or get your coach to do it.) You must have your federations on your side. That is half of the battle.


7. 4Cs: Clear, Clean, Consistent and Comfortable

Not giving judges any excuse to mark you down, no pesky little ! e < makes their job easier, they will appreciate it and reward you PCS for it. Hide your unclear edges, UR at the far corner, away from the judges and intrusive camera lenses.


8. Control the Technical Panel

It is probably too late for most federation to do this, since Russia already controls this from the days1, but try anyway. Control the gate keeper, you control the levels, the edge calls and UR.


9. Anytime Shin Amano is being 'offered' to your home GP series

Protest like Trumpian crazy. Cry foul, loud and proud. Make threat to withdraw ISU funding and commercial endorsements. Threaten to build a wall and lock him up.
(Or negotiate to accept on the condition that ISU must also place him to judge at Cup of Russia, Russia nationals AND the European Championships too. And of course, in the meantime, also make him your best friend. (see point 10)


10. Be very weary of European majority judge panels

Or at least try to have a couple of 100% non - European judge panels at major competitions to offset any the slant, bias, momentum building, while invite the best European skater to participate.

Make friends with other federation judges panels, even your formal enemies. You know... nothing too 'illegal', a few gifts and there, wine and dine, 1st class flight, 1st class lounges, karaoke parties open bar, the stuff Japan Federations are probably familiar with already. :biggrin: Talk about how great your skaters are, has improved, relatively undermarked. Talk about how important good choreographic programs are, and backloading and miming are destroying the art and soul of figure skating.


11. Ensure you manage to instil your own/friendly federation judges

ON the actual real Olympic panel PLUS including your friendly federation judges, one that preferably lasts until the FS. While making sure those who disadvantages you like the European judges (except Great Britain and Germany) do not get to judge at the final panel.


12. Three words: Learn from Sochi

Make sure only the 'anointed' federation judge get to 'judge' your #1 'anointed' skater at every single one of their competition throughout the entire season, to artificialize momentum boosting as well as influence other judges of the same competition. Learn from Sotnikova / Alla Shekhovtseva partnership and how it boost their PCS score over the course of a season. Make sure your 'anointed' skater should only participate in friendly competitions, preferably with the greatest home advantages, and assign them to shadow reigning leading contenders to apply psychological warfare while working on their death stare :laugh:


13. Land all your jumps consistently with difficult transitions in and out of them. (Suggested by CanadianSkaterGuy, modified slightly by me)

If you don't have the reputation. Try to go above and beyond what is necessary, so even if you do get that unfair technical call or stingy GOEs, the video evidence will present itself, while some folks here at GS and beyond will be your great advocate (and surely jumpamatron editor?). It will boost your next season reputation should you decide to go for it. If not, at least you can say you did what you came to do, too bad the judges are just not on your side.


14. Get your very own fluffy cuddly mascot tissue box

It is THE designer item of the sport! Build those buzz factor and cuteness overload. (fluffy cuddly not prerequisite. Kovtun, you can bring a black leather punchkick bag)

It may not necessarily give you the extra points, but it will make you feel warm and cuddly inside at the time when you need it the most. Especially handy when you are most vulnerable and emotionally unstable at the Kiss and Cry and hopefully become your very own huggable lucky charm. Look how Pooh had helped Hanyu, Sailormoon cat for Zhenya. Spiderman for Boyang. Let's face it, we can all do with a bit of luck at the Olympics.


15. No reputation? No Agent? No PR?

Don't worry, you can still get the crowd on your side, and hopefully a few PCS extra points. Which surely helps you at the arena and cheer for you. Build a fan base, get involved on the social media. Make friends with your peers. Learn from Misha Ge, I personally think it did help his PCS a little. Learn English, Learn Korean, Learn Chinese (Beijing games coming up). Immerse yourself in the culture and politics and public speaking. Learn to be PR smart, study how/what NOT to say (PatrickChan press Pre-2014), then learn how/what to say (PatrickChan press Post-2015.) Ultimately, do not let it distract you from training and work on your consistency and your backloading. Focus on things that matter, but don't be careless about things you think don't matter.

In summary, everything matters. The devil is in the details and your best line of defence in this political sport.


16. Place at least in the top 10 at worlds before (Suggested by Nathan13, modified slightly by me.)

As Sochi established. if you were ever in the top 10 at any world championships, or not a even senior. You still have a shot. Be strategic managing your GP campaign. At home events, while you may enjoy generous calls (unless ISU assigns Amano) and inflated marks (if fed support you), but you may risk seen to as overmarked when your performance did not stack up on the day, and risks negatively affect your reputation (e.g Mao at NHK, Kaetlyn at Skate Canada). Although how that affect your overall reputation depends on how well you comeback at your next competition. In other words, try not to mess up twice in a row.

However, if you are able to conquer unfavourable competitions, you may win the respect of judges and the audiences. Mirai did well @ Cup of Russia for 2 straight seasons, in 2013-14, coming 3rd and 4th, the event no US skater want to get, but in doing so, it proves she is underrated and deserves a second shot (although whether fed are smart enough to see it is another matter).

Word of caution, keep your guard up, no competition are truly favourable outside home events, and the judging can often surprise you. Mirai along with other non-Japanese ladies received some of the lowest PCS at NHK from the Japan judge, so you can pretty much count judges are going to play for the home team. In other words, manage your expectations conservatively, wisely and just accept it as part of the sport.


17. No Consistency No PCS? Don't worry. Clean(ish) and high TES seems more important @ the Olympics

As previous Olympics demonstrated, contrary to standard belief, consistency doesn't count much @ the Olympics. Lack of reputation is just fine, just make sure you have the skate of your life ON the day. Remember, anything is possible by a generous judging panel, supportive crowd... and importantly if you bring both quantity and quality, it is hard to make the judges deny you. Skate CLEAN(ish) and ZESTY to get crowd on your side which goes to point 18.


18. Home advantage. Advantage Advantage Advantage +++ Go Go Go!!

Take every home advantage however you can. As proven previously, it CAN make a difference. Ensure you benefit from home advantages, judging, and crowd support (and their version of vuvuzela). Get your federation to make federation friends who can be favourable to your interests when you manage to prove yourself.


19. Influence the public and beyond

Study how information warfare works and protect yourself. Get your Ma and Pa to chip in, utilise your federations and industry links, paid networks, associates to be your press and influencer on public message boards. Quash and monitor apparent dissent with the one fit all message (name calling, labelling) even if it doesn't make much sense. It is impossible to prove anyway, other than timing, a number of posts made in short time from new registrations and other behavioural patterns.


20. Work hard but remember to stay positive and have a good time

To participate in the Olympics is a huge honour and a privilege no matter what the result. Represent yourself and your country well. Be modest. Winning is not everything in this political sport... as human judging by nature can be fickle. Approach your performances with a clear conscious, without regrets and hopefully, it should bring you a lifetime of happiness.

Very best of luck future Olympians!! May the rebellion wins and the force be with you.
 
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Joined
Jun 21, 2003
A lot of these seem to be tongue in cheek (if not flat out making fun of Medvedeva). But #1 is right on the money, and this is true for every competition every year, not just the Olympics.

No need to stick in the adjective "European," but otherwise, yes, go with a grand war horse, heart on your sleeve emotion, no subtlety, let the music carry you, etc. That is certainly how to get high PCSs in interpretation (the music interprets itself), choreography (the music choreographs itself) and performance (just jump whenever you hear a crescendo coming).

Let the other skaters fool around with losing musical choices, while you ride yours to the podium. :yes:

To me, this isn't "hacking COP." It's just common sense. :)
 
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Ares

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 22, 2016
Country
Poland
Brilliant thread & points OS! :D

I dread the amount of warhorses to come :drama:

At least stop with Scheherezade & Carmen, please.
 
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mrrice

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Brilliant thread & points OS! :D

I dread the amount of warhorses to come :drama:

At least stop with Scheherezade & Carmen, please.

Especially Scheherezade!!! Seriously, it's been done SUCCESSFULLY by several skaters and it's time for these coaches and skaters to go into a music library and search for something classical that is remotely original. Yes, it's boring but, this is the Olympics we're talking about and I think it's worth the time and effort.
 
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asp11

Just a dedicated fan - not a skater
On the Ice
Joined
Oct 31, 2014
Awesome OP, OS! Diversity, diversity, diversity. A multitude of music choices, please. :)
 

mrrice

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Oh joy. Another Sotnikova bashing thread.

I will never understand how people could bash Sotnikova. It's not like she was a flash in the Pan. Sarah Hughes had zero national titles and 1 world medal, a bronze. I don't hear people bashing her.
 

asp11

Just a dedicated fan - not a skater
On the Ice
Joined
Oct 31, 2014
I advocate for no bashing of skaters. Sure, there can be healthy criticism; we can't let it go too far, though.
 

Violet Bliss

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 19, 2010


9. Anytime Shin Amano is being 'offered' to your home GP series

Protest like Trumpian crazy. Cry foul, loud and proud. Make threat to withdraw ISU funding and commercial endorsements. Threaten to build a wall and lock him up.



And bill him for the wall.

Or hire an airport police to haul him out of the arena.
 
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Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Sarah Hughes had zero national titles and 1 world medal, a bronze. I don't hear people bashing her.

Sarah Hughes' victory was without controversy, even for fans of other skaters. (Well, you might quibble with her placement in the SP, but anyway...)

By the time of the Olympics Sarah had steadily climbed the ranks until she was clear #3 skater in the world (hence her world bronze). When numbers 1 and 2 faltered, no one was left with anything to complain about. To top it off, Sarah gave the performance of her life in the LP. Even fans of Slutskaya and Kwan couldn't begrudge her the prize.
 

mrrice

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Sarah Hughes' victory was without controversy, even for fans of other skaters. (Well, you might quibble with her placement in the SP, but anyway...)

By the time of the Olympics Sarah had steadily climbed the ranks until she was clear #3 skater in the world (hence her world bronze). When numbers 1 and 2 faltered, no one was left with anything to complain about. To top it off, Sarah gave the performance of her life in the LP. Even fans of Slutskaya and Kwan couldn't begrudge her the prize.

Completely True!! This is exactly how I feel about Sotnikova's performances in Sochi.
 

mrrice

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 9, 2014


See......We're just like the judges. Even with trained, experienced eyes, we don't always agree. It will always be that way in a sport that is as subjective as skating. There is no finish line and when certain judges value different qualities, these debates happen. I don't see it changing in the near future but, I definitely think things are improving.
 
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Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Completely True!! This is exactly how I feel about Sotnikova's performances in Sochi.

To me, Sochi was different because Yuna Kim also skated wonderfully. It could have gone either way. Plus, Kim was and is blessed with the most passionate fan base in the history of skating.
 
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