New World Order – What A Night!

[bems]

I have just finished watching the Men’s Free Skate from Tokyo. What a night!

The Canadian Men did their very best. As a Canadian I am so proud of their efforts. Unfortunately, their very best was not enough. The benefits of youth, knowing the true pressure of competition and training with Canadian specialists to take their best and integrate it with the European and Eastern psyche have won the day!

This author is on record for saying that the Canadian system protects the top 12 and regularly allows last years best to opt out of competing against all on comers. The cracks are now being to show in the Canadian system.

We can talk about injury, attitude and needing to develop our skaters under the protection of a calculated development strategy but many World skaters are doing more than talking. Lambiel has dealt with injury, Verner has harnessed attitude and Joubert has worked on his presentation with Browning to develop himself into a great skater!

The statistics show the average age of the World’s top four men is 21 and the top Canadians competitors is 25. In the sport of figure skating youth is leading the way.

This year’s top four in the World have always known competition. There are no guaranteed top 12 in their World like at Canadians. Each year is a new year, each year, they must prove themselves. In his interview tonight Joubert said, “I gave everything but I can do better”. He won the gold.

The top four take nothing for granted. They travel the world to get the best training and development. They know to be the best they must see the world and beat the best at their own game.

Our pairs have earned three spots but appeared defeated in their attitude during interviews. The tiny details required to beat the competition and make the podium elude them.

For the moment only our Ice Dancers appear prepared, balanced and aligned with mental preparedness.

Canada has never been able in spite of its large number of women to mount the podium. Joannie is our best chance and we will be cheering for her!

So what are we talking about here? Canada has led the world in the past because after World War Two there were hardly any ice rinks in Europe and Asia. The air crash that took the US team in 1961 took years them to rebuild. Quietly Europeans, Americans and Asians came to Canada to help build and learn about one of our great National Sports. In true Canadian fashion we shared our expertise and everyone grew this marvelous sport.

The World however, has moved on while we still consider ourselves to be the leaders and experts in the sport this is no longer the case.

Skate Canada needs to find a new rhythm that develops youth, creates a true platform for competition instead of protecting existing skaters and draws from the skating knowledge of the populous of this great land.

This new rhythm can be accomplished through focus groups with skaters and coaches to talk about the challenges they face. It can be accomplished by celebrating our achievements in the development of a new judging system and educating the skaters, coaches and public so that the new system is not a black box. This new rhythm is about true competition where public support comes from knowing anyone can reach the podium. Nothing drains public support and advertising dollars like the perception that nothing changes. People move on out and away. They look for new excitement elsewhere.

Our Canadian skating fundamentals remain strong but I am concerned that if we do not engage in a continuing dialogue on continuous improvement that we like Russia are on our way to becoming a lesser player in the sport.

 

[Melody]

This author is on record for saying that the Canadian system protects the top 12 and regularly allows last years best to opt out of competing against all on comers. The cracks are now being to show in the Canadian system.

I just wanted to clarify something. The top 12 singles skaters from last year did not have to skate the Q round, but that does not mean they got a free pass throughout the competition. There was a competitor in ladies that was top 12 the previous year, but did not make it past the short, as she just didn't have a good skate. SC did not say "Oh well, there there, it's okay, we'll prop you up."

She had to compete just like all the others.

 

[bems]

My understanding is that this years top 12 do not have to compete at Divisionals next year but are byed to Canadians.

This means of the 24 spots to compete the short program at Nationals 12 are predetermined and the other 12 will now be determined at Divisionals.

I am not certain but I think this means that annually there will be only be 6 spots for the east 6 for the West. If the Quebec rule holds it may be possible that there will be less spots available for the west. This means developing skaters now have a stepper climb and one more competition that they need to fund before hitting nationals.

In most other sports like swimming, golf, rodeo, speed skating and skiing you need to qualify annually. Many of these sports are increasing their public draw because it truly is competitive. Figure skating is becoming predictable and the public may lose interest. What is predictable based on this year's World results is that this is the first real competion for many of our top Canadian skaters and they are not rising to the challenge.

 

[blue dog]

My understanding is that this years top 12 do not have to compete at Divisionals next year but are byed to Canadians.

This means of the 24 spots to compete the short program at Nationals 12 are predetermined and the other 12 will now be determined at Divisionals.

I am not certain but I think this means that annually there will be only be 6 spots for the east 6 for the West. If the Quebec rule holds it may be possible that there will be less spots available for the west. This means developing skaters now have a stepper climb and one more competition that they need to fund before hitting nationals.

In most other sports like swimming, golf, rodeo, speed skating and skiing you need to qualify annually. Many of these sports are increasing their public draw because it truly is competitive. Figure skating is becoming predictable and the public may lose interest. What is predictable based on this year's World results is that this is the first real competion for many of our top Canadian skaters and they are not rising to the challenge.

I see the point--cos when Shizuka Arakawa won worlds in 2004, the next year, she had to compete even at the regionals to qualify for Japanese nationals. She beat Yoshie Onda in her regionals--but even though she did, since she was the reigning world champ, she got a free pass. I think what happened was instead of only the top four moving on, the top five (including her) would move on.

 

[bems]

Well Written Post

Thank you for a well written post which clarifies my point!

Canadians are often great skaters but poor competitors. The ability to compete comes from the clarity of mind which comes from training yourself to grow, progress, challenge and succeed. It is not about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a new result. Those who are successful in sport know this.

I have pursued this posting because I believe figure skating is a sport and as such can benefit from continuous improvement. I’m beginning to believe for most it is only an entertainment where people like to see the same thing over and over.

Our Canadian Olympic hockey team is an example of doing the same thing. In Torino the same old establishment arrived expecting the same old result. However, with the NHL players strike several North Americans had played the season in Europe. The Europeans were energized and studied and learned new techniques. They were then ready to compete and win knowing what they needed to do differently.

In sport, you are only as good as your last result. Public support recognizes skill in sport but supports winners. To be a winner you need not only skill but the ability to compete.