It's time to draw the curtains on my time with figure skating. Anyone joining me?

[qwertyskates]

There have ALWAYS been controversies surrounding the judging, however, when it happened to other skaters who won, I haven't seen this level of vitriol and mass exodus, eg Salt Lake City. I am a FS fan because I love the sport. If you are a TRUE FS fan and not just here for a particular skater, then you will still enjoy the sport with or without that particular skater, as there will be MORE stunning skating coming. I am looking forward to Hanyu, Denis Ten, Jason Brown, Yan Han, for Men's, Adelina, Julia, Elena, Satoko, Kanako, Li, Edmunds, Gold, they have shown great skating and I'm looking forward to seeing development of their artistry. I love how many of them, Hanyu, Adelina, Julia, Gold, have distinct characteristics and styles of skating, and how creative and innovative they are. I'm staying around for the sport and for these shining new stars. I hope this controversy ends soon so I can look forward to World's.

I honestly will not miss you or any of the whiners gnashing their teeth and rending their hair. If judging controversies is "unbearable", then there have been many before, eg. Chan, V/M, so why didn't those turn you off, but only Sot/Kim? This just sounds like if you can't get the outcome fixed to your liking for ONE particular skater, you are throwing a tantrum and threatening to leave. This doesn't sound like what a true fan of the sport would do.

 

[pangtongfan]

I'm still pretty disappointed and can't find words to express it, I think I need to separate from this so-called sports for a while. Maybe be able to love it again later, but I doubt it, if system and corruption doesn't get changed.

This whole week (not just the ladies) makes me wonder why I ever fell in love with judges sports like figure skating and gymnastics where corruption and politics are so prevalant when there are so many "real" sports where judges and bias have no say whatsoever in the outcome out there. Basically every sport except figure skating, gymnastics, rythmic, synchronized swimning, and diving, but I dont count diving since diving is perfectly judged. For the next while I will definitely focus more on the real sports where only the athletes determine their fate.

 

[noskates]

Have to agree with Querty. Some who are threatening to leave keep coming back in here to tell us they're leaving. So Leave already. I came to this board because I wanted news and to discuss things - but it's almost like it's a job for some who continually come in here and have nothing positive to say. In the final analysis - these are young people who have tried their whole lives to reach this pinnacle of their sport. They just got out skated. Don't blame the judges, don't blame the coaches *(yes, I'm talking to you Scott Moir) just acknowledge on this day at that time some one was better than you, The vitriol and the condemnation on this board is really disgusting. I don't want to stop loving figure skating but I'm in serious doubt about this board.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I'd have to quit my job to do that.
I'm staying!! Future looks bright.

 

[Ophelia]

For the most part (except for certain posters), I find that the discussion on this board has been conducted in a reasonable manner. People are understandably upset about the judging that went on, and should be able to express their condemnation of what they perceive as flagrant injustice. I see most of the blame being directed towards the judges and the system, not the skaters themselves. It's immediately after the Olympics too, so everyone is still going through the aftermath of the biggest event in FS.

 

[Tonichelle]

I've been a figure skating fan since the late 1960's. I survived the Cold War judging & years when judging panels were heavily weighted with European judges & while I may hate the judging at times I continue to love watching the youngsters develop & hopefully move up in the sport. I admire all skaters their dedication & work ethics from the ones who never make it to their nationals to those that are the current elite. Figure skating swings back & forth looking for a balance between the technical & artistry so at times one aspect is given more attention than the other in hopes of moving it towards greater difficulty or beauty. IMO we are entering a period where technical prowess is given more notice. I do agree that anonymity in judging is wrong & that the judges should be interviewed after a competition by reporters just as the skaters/coaches are interviewed & asked to explain their marks.

Always a voice of reason, MW!

 

[pangtongfan]

(yes, I'm talking to you Scott Moir)

Considering the circumstances Scott Moir was incredibly classy, and that is not something I would usually say about him at all.

 

[MiRé]

I just wish figure skating can be removed from the Olympics. Subjective sport is too manipulative and rather than having more controversies or fights, it's better to just remove it for good.

 

[qwertyskates]

Have to agree with Querty. Some who are threatening to leave keep coming back in here to tell us they're leaving. So Leave already. I came to this board because I wanted news and to discuss things - but it's almost like it's a job for some who continually come in here and have nothing positive to say. In the final analysis - these are young people who have tried their whole lives to reach this pinnacle of their sport. They just got out skated. Don't blame the judges, don't blame the coaches *(yes, I'm talking to you Scott Moir) just acknowledge on this day at that time some one was better than you, The vitriol and the condemnation on this board is really disgusting. I don't want to stop loving figure skating but I'm in serious doubt about this board.

Don't leave the board, it'll be back to normal soon, when World's and this new crop of skaters compete at senior's after Sochi. There will be more amazing skating, more great performances, greater difficulties.

I'm not personally fond of Russia, the country, but I like the sheer technical brilliance, personality and charisma from the Russian skaters. Hope other countries and Feds rise up to their challenge, and field colorful competitors of their own.

I miss the more rational debates, pro or against skaters, but they will dominate the boards again soon.

The vitriol will leave as this mostly came from those who are only fixated on one issue, and what's behind it doesn't appear to me to be fundamentally about figure skating. Threads like this are so disturbing...rallying a boycott of the sport, really? We just have to patiently weather it, and let's get together again for Worlds 2014, coming soon! :yay:

 

[cjuarez]

Yes it is. You're basically throwing a temper tantrum because Sotnikova played to her strengths and won.

Goodbye, figure skating won't miss you.

You are mean!!!

 

[cjuarez]

Please don't leave! Results are not the end all be all of skating, and I think many skaters themselves realize this . It's so hard to find people who love the sport, and if you still do, then you have something to contribute to this community.

Sorry if I sound corny, haha.

P.S. I am a big fan of Arakawa too. You can still watch and discuss videos of her (and Yuna's) past performances!

Finally, is it so hard to be nice and have common sense????

 

[cjuarez]

fine by me, so you and Flattfan will be gone after 2014 Worlds then ?
after all the veterans will retire and all will be left will be Gracie, Julia, Adelina, Polina, Elena, Zijun etc to dominate next quad

What about the amazing russian junior girls and Karen Chen???

 

[kwanatic]

I'm not going anywhere. I will miss all of the pre and post-Vancouver holdovers but their time is up. I'm excited about a number of skaters (Elena, Adelina, Julia, Karen, Gracie, Polina, Zijun, Satoko) and I'm excited to see the new rivalries that will form. Plus, I'm SO ready for the bots/ubers who only watch skating for one skater to disappear. Let the exodus begin.

As I've said in other posts, I don't bother getting hung up on the scores. I've accepted since back in 1998 (when Tara won gold over Michelle despite the fact I found Michelle to be superior) that the judges will see what they want and the scores don't necessarily matter: the skating and the performances...that's what matters to me and that's what I enjoy. I'm not emotionally invested enough in any one skater to feel the way many people are feeling regarding Adelina's win over Yu-Na. Personally, I thought Carolina was better than both of them! But it doesn't matter to me...Carolina skated beautifully (as did Yu-Na, as did Mao, as did Adelina) so I was really happy with the skating of the event...the results are what they are.

I will continue to watch and enjoy the skating regardless of the scores. This isn't the first time I've disagreed with a result and it won't be the last. Hopefully one day the judging will be fair but, seeing as this is a subjective sport, I don't think that will ever happen...so I'm not going to stress myself over it. It's just skating. There are much bigger things in life to worry over than why my favorite skater didn't get a piece of metal...

 

[ks777]

I have been follwing figure skating since the 80s. I don't know if I could ever stop watching it.. probably not. Also I am a closet figure skating fan.. never told anyone that I watch it. Sometimes it's so hard to prentend like I have no idea who Michelle kwan is..

 

[csunny7]

Hi everyone,

I have been a fan of figure skating since 2006 when I saw Arakawa win the OGM with a fantastic skate. My favourite soon became none other than Kim Yu-Na who took my breath away at 2009 Worlds with her Danse Macabre and was later awarded the OGM with two great programs. But as time has gone by, my interest has started to wane because what I felt or perceived as unfair judging has interfered with my love of the sport.

How do I continue to love a sport where...

• It's acceptable for judges previously suspended to be allowed back to re-judge an event as big as the Olympics?
  
• It's easier than ever to collude with one another so as to pre-determine outcomes, especially as there is anonymous judging?
  
• Where there are no possible avenues of appeal or investigation of results that are deemed to be suspicious?
  
• Where artistry, grace and flow don't count as much as one's technical abilities? Where someone like Mao receives third place for a monumentally beautiful free skate in Sochi? In what universe should her components and artistry scored <70?
  
• Where as a layfan I can hardly understand the scoring system let alone its nuances?
  
• Where it's OK to mark early skaters down?
  
• Where Carolina, Mao and Yu-Na will not skate competitively after this season? Where their last Olympic skates were met with not raucous ovation but instead with a hostile crowd?
  
• Where poor Adelina's victory is now going to be forever tainted by accusations of unwarranted homeground inflation? The poor girl skates her heart out and her win is forever tarnished by this controversy.
  

It was very apparent to me, being someone with little technical knowledge of this sport, but in hearing the commentary from Katarina Witt, Kurt Browning, Robin Cousins and Dick Button, that something had gone wrong. I respect their opinions very much, so it is difficult for me to argue otherwise.

This is not about Yu-Na or Carolina not winning the gold. This is about a sport where I do not see fair judging for all competitors who should begin each competition on equal footing. I think I am going to let go of this sport. I cannot continue to support it any longer. It makes me so sad.

I'd love to join you. Without Queen Yuna, and with unfair judging and shameful national politicking remain, I have no reason to enjoy figure skating anymore.

 

[WeakAnkles]

I went through about a 5 year or so period when I pretty much stopped watching skating, more so because Real Life sometimes intrudes over being emotionally invested in a sport. But I let myself get drawn back in because of Marlie and Voir, which then led to falling back in love again with skating as a whole.

But what this Olympics has done has made me go from skeptical about the integrity of the activity as organized sport to downright cynical. I now fully EXPECT scoring to be manipulated. I EXPECT certain national federations to do everything in their power to manipulate results. I EXPECT chicanery and shenanigans to blemish the ART of the SPORT. And no, I'm not happy about that. At all.

 

[wordsworthgirl]

I'm not going anywhere. I will miss all of the pre and post-Vancouver holdovers but their time is up. I'm excited about a number of skaters (Elena, Adelina, Julia, Karen, Gracie, Polina, Zijun, Satoko) and I'm excited to see the new rivalries that will form. Plus, I'm SO ready for the bots/ubers who only watch skating for one skater to disappear. Let the exodus begin.

As I've said in other posts, I don't bother getting hung up on the scores. I've accepted since back in 1998 (when Tara won gold over Michelle despite the fact I found Michelle to be superior) that the judges will see what they want and the scores don't necessarily matter: the skating and the performances...that's what matters to me and that's what I enjoy. I'm not emotionally invested enough in any one skater to feel the way many people are feeling regarding Adelina's win over Yu-Na. Personally, I thought Carolina was better than both of them! But it doesn't matter to me...Carolina skated beautifully (as did Yu-Na, as did Mao, as did Adelina) so I was really happy with the skating of the event...the results are what they are.

I will continue to watch and enjoy the skating regardless of the scores. This isn't the first time I've disagreed with a result and it won't be the last. Hopefully one day the judging will be fair but, seeing as this is a subjective sport, I don't think that will ever happen...so I'm not going to stress myself over it. It's just skating. There are much bigger things in life to worry over than why my favorite skater didn't get a piece of metal...

Kwanatic, I agree with you on everything. See my post earlier in this thread. and I too am a Kwanatic and threw the remote at the television when Tara beat her. This is a SUBJECTIVE sport and the joy of watching does not come from results- it comes from the gorgeous, heartfelt, inspired performances of these brave and beautiful skaters!

 

[quikrush]

I have been a devoted Yuna fan for 8 years, yet I choose to stick around. I'll just learn not to get so emotionally attached to a single skater, especially if he/she comes from a country without a strong federation to back her up. Being a Yuna fan has been one of the most emotionally exhausting experiences of my life.

Still, sometimes one does feel rewarded. You know, all those special moments. At the end of her FS I was literally in tears. I just couldn't believe she'd done it again, delivering a perfect program in such a pressure-cooker situation. I stood in awe, I still do. Although the results were devastating, I feel all that emotional investment had not been in vain. If someday another gem like her comes along, why, I just might get hooked up all over again, and come running back to this forum for a bit of fangirling.

 

[vtgal]

I went through about a 5 year or so period when I pretty much stopped watching skating, more so because Real Life sometimes intrudes over being emotionally invested in a sport. But I let myself get drawn back in because of Marlie and Voir, which then led to falling back in love again with skating as a whole.

But what this Olympics has done has made me go from skeptical about the integrity of the activity as organized sport to downright cynical. I now fully EXPECT scoring to be manipulated. I EXPECT certain national federations to do everything in their power to manipulate results. I EXPECT chicanery and shenanigans to blemish the ART of the SPORT. And no, I'm not happy about that. At all.

Well said. I have been watching skating since the 1980 Winter Olympics. (We didn't have a TV in our house to watch prior years, imagine.) I'm new to this board, true, but not new to all the various shenanigans that have happened over the years in FS, pre and post Salt Lake City/CoP. When CoP was instituted, I thought "ok, I'll miss the 6.0 system because this new one is more complicated, but perhaps things will truly change for the better." But I've seen over the years that CoP can be manipulated to achieve the desired result, similar to what used to be done with the second/artistic mark under the 6.0 system. This year, because it is an Olympic year, it's just been more blatant than ever. I really, really hate feeling so cynical about the sport. It takes away the enjoyment from the skater's performances, because I no longer expect the judging to fairly reflect what the skaters actually did. As an example, under the old system, earlier skaters' marks were routinely "held down" in order to leave room for other skaters to follow. For example, someone who might have actually earned a 5.6 technically might be given a 5.4 instead. That should have gone away under CoP because with the new scoring system it shouldn't matter when a skater skates anymore. But the reality is that particularly with the PCS scores, earlier skaters are very often (maybe even routinely) still "held down" despite their actual quality of skating. In Sochi, I think that given the performances, the top 3 probably were correct EXCEPT in the order of finish. IMHO, Sotnikova earned bronze, not gold, for lots of reasons already stated elsewhere. There is simply no other judged sport that I watch where I wonder at the end why people were placed where they were placed.

 

[ginal]

In general, I see interest in figure skating waning in the US. After Kwan, it really plummeted, and I have not/do not see it rising since. I think most of the fans are old people (no offense) and the young people in the US are probably more into x games stuff, snowboarding, etc. It seems most of the popularity in figure skating is in Russia, Japan, Canada and while we know the judging is ALWAYS balanced and not influenced by outside factors, it would benefit the sport to prop up skaters in countries where interest is higher. I know I lost interest after Kwan.