Slutskaya to compete in Calgary - reports from russian press

[loveallskaters]

I just don't want to see her face like it was on the Oly's podium.
For that reason:
1. She has to be out of medal in Calgary.
2. Has to learn how to behave when not winning.
3.Has to win.

The less chance is to the last version, I think.

If you watched Irina's interviews after the Olympics, she behaved admirably. She was very gracious and honest. She could have hid but went and participated in interviews on Today and Olympic Ice and probably others I did not see. Let's give Irina a little slack here. Anyone who is a favorite is going to be disappointed when they don't win. In my opinion, she was one missed jump away from winning gold at the Olympics. Understandably, she was upset by her fall as anyone would be. Irina did not show any disrespect to any competitors. I hope Irina does her best at World's and others do, too. I want her to end her season on a high note and I think she does, too. What's wrong with letting an athlete do that? Go Irina!!!

 

[Mathman]

Hi, loveallskaters (love your name, LOL!), ITA. Welcome to Golden Skate.

Mathman

 

[76olympics]

Irina should go if she wants to ; just like Michelle, I feel that she should stay eligible as long as she feels she can compete. Bronze at the Olympics is definitely competitive. Besides, whose cheeks will Dick pinch if Irina retires?

 

[mzheng]

Now there is a post at FSU said according to a reliable source Irina is not going.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

That makes sense that she will not go to Calgary. I still would have liked her to go.

But it is interesting that most of the comments were about Irina personally and not about the RULES which flooded the threads about Mao. Double standard?

Joe

 

[Linny]

The Rules

The age rule was highly publicized for months (years) before Mao burst onto the scenes.

This other rule that people refer to about having to declare your participation by a certain date - I've never scene that publicized. Actually, there are many, many figure skating rules... how the people who have to keep track of them manage is beyond me.

At any rate, if someone brings to the light of day the exact wording of the rule and whether it is one of those that is an ISU rule or one that each Federation decides, that would be helpful. Oh, and the circumstances under which it comes into play (some rules are guidelines and others are set in stone).

Linny

 

[Mafke]

This other rule that people refer to about having to declare your participation by a certain date - I've never scene that publicized. Actually, there are many, many figure skating rules... how the people who have to keep track of them manage is beyond me.

Linny

Actually, skaters don't (can't) go to worlds by themselves, they're sent by their federations. I would assume that federations keep themselves well-informed of the deadlines and should mention this in their negotiations with high-profile skaters like Slute: "Irina, we'd love it if you decide to go, but you need to let us know by the 15th* of this month, if you don't do that then we'll have to name someone else to the team."

*date pulled out of my a**, I have no idea when the deadline(s) for federations to name or alter their teams are.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

If it's true that some other skater will be bumped off the team to make room for Irina, will that skater get all the sympathy that Emily got?

Joe

 

[Mathman]

I assume that would be Katarina Gerboldt. Stay ready, Kat, LOL.

 

[chuckm]

Here is the rule: all scheduled skaters and alternates have to be named to the World team by a specific deadline (for 2006 Worlds, that date was 2/28). After the deadline, no substitutions or changes can be made to the participant list except for extraordinary circumstances.

That rule has been strictly enforced in the past. In 1998, first Tara Lipinski, then Nicole Bobek, decided not to go to Worlds. The first alternate, Tonia Kwiatkowski, replaced Tara. But the second alternate, Angela Nikodinov, could not be reached (she and her family often traveled to Bulgaria at the end of the season). The USFSA asked to be able to name a substitute in order to fill the third spot, but the ISU refused to allow it, so only Kwan and Kwiatkowski represented the US at 1998 Worlds.

For 2006 Worlds, the Russian Federation named Sokolova, Kerboldt and Martinova to the team, and Olga Naidenova as the alternate. They could have named Irina as a second alternate, but they didn't.

I think the RF would (and should) have a hard time convincing the ISU that Irina changing her mind was an "extraordinary circumstance".

 

[Kasey]

Why are some people so intent...so desirous...of Irina not being at Worlds? Scared that that's the only way that a 'not-quite-winner' (a.k.a. 'loser') can win???

Next year, Mao can/will skate at Worlds...so perhaps the 'loser' or 'losers' in question are afraid that Calgary may be their last chance to win Worlds Gold??? :chorus: :chorus: :chorus: :chorus: :chorus:

IRINA #1!!!!!!

Considering Mao didn't even win JUNIOR worlds, I would think more of the senior competitors are thinking about their own performances, as well as concern of the other SENIOR competitors who will be there....it is not required at Worlds to "beat" people not present at that competition.

 

[R.D.]

Seriously..she didn't win Junior worlds?? What is going on?

Sorry, I'm not keeping up with the Junior Worlds. But I thought that would be a walk-away for her! Guess it shows how many surprises are in the making. You just cannot predict how a high-profile skating competition will turn out!

(except for U.S. Nationals, perhaps)

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I'm not sure if the above posts are considered SPOILERS. Some GS members will see this on TV, probably most will not.

Joesitz