El, my good friend and favorite arguing partner, you are missing my point.
While USFSA was putting all their eggs in less-athletic skaters' baskets, the rest of world was investing in technical prowess. True, we held our own for a while, but there is no way that could last.
......
And if USFSA doesn't have, as a goal, the winning of medals, then they should all resign at one time. The competitive development of skaters and the winning of medals or maximizing placements should be a top priority for a major federation managing skaters at this level.
That turned into a rant, and I didn't mean it to. Sorry about that, but I'm not editing it. I think the points are valid, even if my frustrations have run on a bit.
Tonto, my friend and debater, I don't mind a rant. You're entitled.
I understand where you coming from, and believe it or not, I do like to win. (Yes, to go OT with the NFL, I'm still on the WentzWagon). But I don't think that the US *had* "winners" at the time, and they did the best with what they had.
And I'm going to stand by my argument that this was in no way a "preference", "supporting", or "promoting" pretty skaters. It was going with the highest scorers they had at the time. And it sure didn't seem to discourage Nathan or Vincent from figuring out what basket to put their eggs in, now did it?
It's no more fair, and just as incorrect IMO, to characterize Nathan's skating that way, than it is to call Jason an artistic skater and a beautiful spinner who can't jump.
Many people at the time felt that Nathan, not Max, should have won the silver at Nationals. On the strength of his artistry. Many felt Nathan was lowballed on the artistic mark in that comp.
Just sayin'. Nathan and his team took it as a step in the process. Moved on.
I know what people thought, I was there arguing with them. I will concede that Nathan has taken steps to improve his artistry in the past few years, and I applaud, and have applauded him for it. But I am sorry, I cannot back off my assessment of what Nathan did (or didn't do) in 2015-16. That LP to SaintSaens.... SMH.
But anyone who loved that program as a program is free to disagree with me; that's what makes threads go on!