Thanks for all the comments and corrections, which I've edited into the text. It's taken me a few days to get out from under that house--my sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, was at a Wal-Mart sale.
First to answer some specific questions and comments:
Mathman asked:
Do you think there is any point now in starting an email campaign to the USFSA about injuries and the need for better equipment and maybe for some rules changes and more uniform training for coaches? Or has the USFSA, better late than never, started to take the lead now, with it's apparent sponsorship to research on the hinged boot?
Good question. IMO, an email campaign to the USFSA and/or ISU about injuries, the need to better equipment, possible rule changes limiting the number of jumps for skaters under a certain age (IMO), and required training for coaches would be a great thing, but only if enough people got behind it. If 100 emails trickle into the USFSA, it will be a waste. But if the USFSA and/or ISU receives several thousand emails, they might raise some eyebrows. I would also like to see emails sent to those name journalists who cover figure skating, ie, Jere Longman, Phil Hersh, Christine Brennan, and others, requesting more coverage of the injury issue.
Perhaps this summer would be a good time to organize something like this. Without hitting people over the head, I know injuries are unpleasant to think about, but just as fans and sports writers were the ones who really got the ball rolling on steroids in baseball (one look at Mark Maguire's "Popeye" arms and you had to know), I think it will take a concerted effort by figure skating fans and writers to put pressure on the ISU and the stronger federations to not just say, "Okay, we're getting behind the hinged skate boot; we've done our job," but to make injury monitoring an ongoing process. So by all means, how about if Golden Skate sponsors an email campaign of the type described by Mathman to both the USFSA and the ISU? Will people take a few minutes out of their summer to send a pre-written email? If we can spend time speculating on whether or not Irina's pregnant
I think we can spend time showing our concern for the athletes we love to watch. The campaign would have to invite other boards in as well, but I think there are enough posters on GS who post at other boards that this should be possible. I nominate Mathman to organize it.
These next three go together.
Longhornliz said:
This is probably a controversial position, but I feel that some of the problem is that skaters are able to compete at such high levels when they are so young. I know that it is easier to get your triples while you are still small, but it just seems like children of 13 arent ready for the psychological strain. And as a child development major, I can say that honestly they don't realize the implications of making these decisions to commit their LIVES to skating at this young age.
Jesilly said something similar:
Unfortunately, the pressure to have all the triples and have them consistent failed the big dream f few kids. Serious injuries take them off ice for as long as two years, meanwhile their bodies changed a lot. NNN was the most serious one. Kwon after injury quit skating. Sara wheat did poorly at regional last year as a SR. lady after her hip injury.
I feel the reasons of injury are not boots or any equipment, the injuries are really the result of pressure to get most difficult elements, 3/3s, quads, quad combos, and in the future the elite skaters may be pushed to do 5 or 6 rotations jumps.
And Hockeyfan asked:
Is it the pressure of 3/3's and quads in traditional boots for everyone, or is it the pressure of performing them when a girl is 12-16, and still in the process of growing and forming? I wonder if Arakawa, for example, has bypassed the point of injury, because her training was curtailed to an extent while she attended college.
IMO, it's a combination. I'll start with the younger skaters, those under 18. As several people mentioned, there is more and more pressure for skaters to get all the triples, except the 3Axel, under their belts by age 11 or 12. Then the pressure over the recent years is to get 3/3s and/or a quad by age 14. The problem is, the bones on these young skaters, male or female, are not fully developed until at least 18 and some are still growing even then. On the joint-connecting ends of the long bones, there is an area of specialized cartilage known in lay terms as the *growth plate* (technically, the *epiphyseal plate*). It's not exactly cartilage and it's not exactly bone; it's kind of in between to allow for growth. These growth plates do not become full bone until the individual is fully grown--about 18 in females; anywhere from 18 to 20 for males. The problem is, these growth plates are very susceptible to injury.
Also, nothing of the musculoskeletal structure of a 12 to 16-year-old is as strong as it is in an 18 to 22 year old. The cartilage in the joints is more malleable, but it's also not very strong, which is part of the reason you see some 12 to 16-year-olds with amazing flexibility. (Remember NNN's layback or Cohen's *Sasha Curl*? Notice that Sasha doesn't do the *Sasha Curl* anymore?) The point is, these young teen skaters, as I'll call them, have tremendous endurance, drive, and energy and their bodies can take a lot--up to a point. They tend to have a physiologic make-up where they really don't feel much pain until it's too late. You could practically dribble them on the ice like a basketball and they'd come back the next day ready for more. Never again in one's life will one have the endurance and recuperative powers of a 10 to 16-year-old.
However, once a young teen seriously injures a growth structure, such as hip joint cartilage or the hip joint bone, it's never coming back. So, yes, a big part of the problem is the emphasis on getting young teen female skaters to do 3/3s and quads. I've mainly seen the problem in females, but that may be a function of the emphasis on ladies skating. My guess is that with young teen male skaters is that either the injury rate is not as bad because they don't have the muscle mass to do very many quads until they've developed the muscle mass, which means at least 17 or 18, or else we just aren't as aware of the problem in young teen males.
In the case of young teen skaters, I think the ISU and strong federations need to step in and make some tough rules about jump content at junior events as well as practice conditions. The first would be relatively easy, IF the powers that be can get past the idea that if they make rules restricting the number of jumps for young skaters that they'll be sending the message that skating is dangerous as well as the fear that they might be restricting the next phenom. Michelle Wee in golf, the 14-year-old boy in soccer, not to mention Tiger Woods, are all big money and interest generators and federations love them. But they are the exception rather than the rule. The US Tennis Assoc. loves to talk about the Williams sisters, but try to get them to talk about Jennifer Capriotti. The point is, it would be a very uphill battle to get the ISU/USFSA and other federations to give up on the idea of another Tara (what hip injury?), another Oksana (what knee injury and alcohol problem?), or another Michelle (see, she's just fine!) That's why I think it would take a concerted effort by fans and sports writers to get the ISU and top federations to consider rules making quads and 3/3s illegal in junior competitions until the skater is 18. Even with better equipment, such as the hinged skate boot, which is not a panacea by any stretch, IMO we're going to see more elite young teen eligible skaters with career-ending injuries to their hips if some restrictions are not applied.
For anyone who feels "But it's a sport and the purpose of any sport is to push the envelope," ITA as long as we're talking about athletes who are at least 18 years old. Anybody has the right to work in this country, but we have laws to protect those under a certain age so they're not exploited. Anyone can have sex in this country but again, we have laws to protect those under a certain age (depending on the state) so that those whose decision-making abilities and ability to consider the risk/benefit ratio for their future are not fully developed are not exploited. I see no reason why the same principles should not apply to elite sports, which, after all, are just as much about working as anything else.
The second part of Hockeyfan's question/comment was
I wonder if Arakawa, for example, has bypassed the point of injury, because her training was curtailed to an extent while she attended college. Firstly, I don't think any skater ever bypasses the point of injury; however, I'm sure you, Hockeyfan, meant career-ending injury to the hip, knee, back, or ankle from doing 3/3s. I think two variables are the most important when we're talking about fully developed athletes--over 18, but still young enough to be in their prime--doing quads, 3/3s, and other high-rotation jumps and combos. One we've already touched upon, that is, the fact that the musculoskeletal system is fully developed and can withstand more end-loaded (pounding) and twisting forces. Another part of maturity is cognitive. As skaters grow into their late teens and early 20s, their decision-making capabilities also develop. There's not the single-mindedness about training; there's (hopefully) greater perspective on how much one can do well and safely; and hopefully more give and take between skater and coach. So skaters over 18, which I admit is no magic age but rather one I chose for the sake of argument, are stronger and more mature both physically and mentally.
The second variable is more a matter of what is expected of skaters these days in general. In a number of skating articles, writers note that Debi Thomas attempted a 3/3 at the '88 Olympic (she did a three-turn out of the second triple, IIRC); Tonya Harding landed a 3Axel at '91 Nats; Kristi Yamaguchi landed a 3L/3t and Midori Ito a 3Axel at the '92 Olympics; and Nancy Kerrigan landed a 3t/3t at the '94 Olympics. Of course Sarah Hughes landed two 3/3s at the '98 Olympics, but again, it was a one-season situation. Certain sports writers go on to bemoan the fact that aside from the 3/3s Michelle and Irina have landed on an irregular basis, ladies skating has not increased in technically difficulty the way men's skating has. (Yes, Surya Bonaly landed some too from '92 through '98, and I'm sure there are others I haven't mentioned, but I'm talking trends here.) The undertone to what these writers, and some fans, are saying, which I find wholly unfair, is that Michelle is too complacent to push the sport technically and Irina just couldn't keep up.
I think these individuals are missing a very important point: For Debi, Kristi, and Nancy, their 3/3s were only done for one season in preparation for one event: the Olympics. Tonya only hit her 3Axel in competition once ('91 Nats) and Midori, though she hit her 3Axel the most out of the group of ladies skaters doing either 3/3s or a 3Axel, it still was erratic and she did not compete at the elite eligible level with it for more than four years, although she did hit one to win the World Pro competition in the mid '90s. The point is, none of the *Big 3/3 or 3Axel Stars* did those jumps on a regular basis for more than one season except Midori. However, if I'm correct, Michelle has landed the 3t/3t 11 times in competition since '97. I don't know how many times Irina has landed a 3/3 in competition. Looked at from that perspective, Michelle has landed a 3/3 combo more than any other female skater--unless I'm missing somebody.
The point of all this is, from '88 to '94 (it might have been earlier, I'm just not sure about '86 and '87 Worlds, though I'm sure someone will know--DorisPulaski to the rescue?
), ladies skaters--except Midori--got their 3/3 up for one season aiming for one big event and that was it. After that they turned pro. These skaters were also at least 18--Kristi was 20 and Nancy was 24 at the time of their Olympics. With proper training and technique, their bodies could take the stresses of one season of 3/3 training with attempts a couple of major competitions. They also didn't have nearly as many competitions where they were expected to do 3/3s. This season, not counting the ISU events, most top skaters had six or seven important competitions: 4 GP (2-3 to qualify, 1 GPF); Nationals; Euros (4CC still not considered important); and Worlds. Plus Worlds counts as a an extra 2/3s of an event IMO because of the Qualifiing Round. Thus next season a skater could conceivably be expected to execute one 3/3 in her SP plus one or two 3/3s or a 3/3 and a quad in her LP during competition 7 to 8 times a year; go on tour right after Worlds; do ISU events shortly after the GPF and shortly after Worlds; and continue touring through the end of July/beginning of August. Couple that kind of schedule with the practice it takes to keep 3/3s and quads up or learn yet another 3/3 to keep ahead of the pack and you have a very different scenario than you did in from the late '80s through '94. I just don't think you can compare what happened in '88, '92, and '94 to what is expected now.
The closest comparison we can make is '98 with Sarah Hughes. Sarah did or attempted one 3/3 at some or all of her GP events, IIRC; she attempted at least one 3/3 at Nats but didn't complete it (can't recall if she tried two 3/3s); and as we know she completed two 3/3s at the Olympics. She opted out of Worlds and during the COI tour, battled an ankle injury, which took her out of a number of shows. Then, although Sarah remained eligible during the following season, she was injured early in the season and thus did not compete in any of the GP events. IIRC, she did Campbells; the December ISU event; Nats; and Worlds, where she finished 6th.
Another example of an older skater with two 3/3s is Elena Sokolova. During the '02/03 season, she did poorly in the GP series, not making the GPF, but rallied at Russian Nats and Worlds with mistake-free two 3/3 programs, where she won the gold and silver respectively. In fall '03, she was already injured by Campbells--a knee injury that required surgery--and although she seemed to be doing better at Euros and Russian Nats, her Worlds performance was, to be frank, abysmal.
Jenny Kirk is another skater who has been doing a 3/3 in her programs for more than one season and now has hip problems. Although I don't know what caused her poor performances at Worlds, I can't help but wonder if her hip had something to do with it. She was so strong at Skate America; she was well trained; I can't see her performances at Worlds as being just a result of nerves.
This is why I find the statement by the president of the USFSA about US ladies needing 3/3s and quads by itself irresponsible--granted, he's only been in office since last year. I don't have a problem with his statement about US ladies needing 3/3s and quads to be problematic in and of itself since it does reflect reality; what I find irresponsible is the lack of context. We've already seen Japan's biggest jumper, Yoshie Onda, unable to compete--at least temporarily--due to injury. The fact is, we have never seen a ladies skater compete for more than one season doing one or more 3/3s or a 3/3 and a quad without serious injury. The skaters who have done 3/3s, specifically Michelle and Irina, gradually stopped doing them either due to pain (Michelle) or because she just couldn't keep doing 3/3s consistently.
So if the president of the USFSA wants to send out an edict demanding that elite US ladies start doing 3/3s and quads (as if they didn't already know), I think there should also be equal attention paid to safety. How wise is it if the top US ladies skaters are doing a 3/3 in their SP and an LP with either two 3/3s or a 3/3 and a quad by early November; win the gold and silver at Worlds; and then next season are too injured to skate well at the Olympics? Of course I don't know that this is what will happen, but if we look at recent history, such an outcome seems to be a likely possibility.
I think NNN is a very memorable example of a skater with not only exceptional promise but also a lot of promise already fulfilled, at least in '99. And as I said before, she was also the "heir apparent" to Michelle. I think these are the main reasons why it's hard for many fans to let go of the hope that Nam will return to high level eligible skating, which I define as qualifiying for Nats; winning a spot on the World team; and finishing in the top 10 at Worlds. It's true, as GKelly noted, that competing at regionals and sectionals is Olympic eligible skating; I should have been clearer about my word usage.
One last comment I'd like to note is by Heyang:
I remember reading something years ago....supposedly John Nicks liked to get his girls doing triples earlier. The thought process was that it made them standout against the rest of the novice and junior field - sorta get the buzz going.
At the same time that the article came out, many people pointed out that NNN and SC (who were both with Nicks at the time) had shorted/cheated triples, partially evidenced by how their free leg skate blade would graze the top of the boot of the landing leg.
I heard this too and I think it showed in NNN and Sasha's inconsistency. When I saw Sasha live from an on-ice seat at "Stars, Stripes, and Skates" in Sept. '02, just after she'd changed to Tarasova, I saw a lot of problems with her jumps that didn't show up on TV. Her jumps had too much force going "out" and not enough going "up," resulting in skiddy landings, an opening up of the hip of the free leg, which she would either have to correct with a kind of "curlicue" adjustment to her pelvis. Needless to say, her landings weren't secure. Although there was some improvement with Tarasova, only since she's been with Robin Wagner have Sasha's jumps looked truly technically solid more often than not. The point is, the emphasis on doing triples early, and now 3/3s and quads, may result in poor technical habits ingrained at an early age.
I was also told by someone familiar with the skating world in California that although there are a number of top coaches from the former Soviet Union, they don't do very well with their students because they spend so much time on basics. According to the person I talked to, many Russian coaches would not allow their students to compete until they had mastered a certain level of basics. Parents and skaters would soon get frustrated, as in, "We're paying you a lot of money! Where are the medals?" and change to a US coach. I'm not saying all Russian coaches are like that and I got this information second hand, but it's an interesting paradox.
I think in some ways people expect all young skaters to have the jumping ability Michelle did at 12. Michelle was fortunate in that Frank Carroll emphasized good technique, but she was also a skating/jumping prodigy. With another prodigy, Tara, coming right after Michelle, I don't know if people in general realize how rare they were. Of course now that people expect 12-year-olds to have all their triples, it's almost impossible to put the genie back in the bottle. But I do think it would behoove us all to consider an email compaign to the ISU and USFSA about injuries. It's affecting females most now in part because males are biomechanically better designed for jumping, but Timothy Goebel is an unfortunate example of how the problems of poor equipment combined with having a body that made it easy to do quads resulted in a skater who made great strides in presentation only to have what seems like a domino effect of injuries and boot problems take him out of nearly two years of competition.
Let's hope the powers that be work towards a balance between the inevitable pushing of the boundaries of the sport and maintaining the safety of the skaters. But I do think fans could help by making their concerns known. We've got the Internet. Why not use it to voice our opinions?
Rgirl
