Skaters with Weak Federations - Is it a hindrance?

[Joesitz (RIP)]

My List

Great Britain - The Kerrs

Belgium - Kevin van der Perin

Italy - Carolina Kostner, Cappellini and LaNotte

Switzerland - Stephane Lambiel, Sara Meier

Bulgaria - Denkova and Staviski

Georgia - Elene Gedenvanishvili

Finland - Susanna Poykio

Korea - Yu Na

Are there others?
Can they rise above a strong skater or team who have Fed connections?
While they will figure in the GP events, will their weak Fed have a voice for choosing for their benefit?

Joe

 

[Ladskater]

I don't know if hinderence is the correct term, but it does help to have one's country backing the skaters for the various competitions. Money is always a factor in figure skating events.

 

[Ptichka]

I am not sure Italy is a "weak federation" given it was Speedy at the ISU; I'd say the success of FP&M was a testament to that.

In general, the answer is certainly "yes", though much depends on how well the leadership can make deals with others. For example, it's rather counterintuitive that the Israeli federation is at times more powerful than the Lithuanian one, but it's true nonetheless.

In addition, I think skaters from the traditionally strong federations do tend to push themselves more. I'm thinking for Fleur Maxwell now, who I think could have achieved more in sport with a bigger push.