SOI airing today (Sat) ABC 5PM EST

[Mathman]

My understanding is that the problem was with getting USFS permission. Tom Collins gives a kickback to USFS and Scott Hamilton doesn't. So skaters never have a problem with doing COI, but they have to jump through a lot of hoops if they get invited to SOI. (?)

 

[SeaniBu]

I wonder what kind of hoops and why they would have to.?

 

[Tonichelle]

OT -- Toni, I just noticed that the picture of the moose is your own work. Wow! Was this an official commission, or did one just happen to show up in your back yard one day?

no it wasn't anything official, but it wasn't directly in my backyard. It was from a wildlife 'preserve' of sorts we have on the Kenai Peninsula... basically this moose was probably orphaned or otherwise in trouble and was then raised in the game preserve. We visited when we took a few friends from out of state around Alaska and I got a few shots of this Bull Moose

 

[attyfan]

I wonder what kind of hoops and why they would have to.?

I heard it was just some additional forms -- Sarah Hughes maintained her Oly eligiblity despite skating with SOI, and, Todd did also (although he eventually turned pro as a result of a dispute with the USFS over his contract for appearances at cheesefests)

If someone is appearing with SOI while they expect to be competing also (as Kimmie is planning to do), I would think the USFS would want something to say that the one won't interfere with the other. Touring with COI doesn't interfere with competing in the same way because the COI tour doesn't start until the competitive season has ended.

 

[SeaniBu]

Touring with COI doesn't interfere with competing in the same way because the COI tour doesn't start until the competitive season has ended.

AH of course!:banging: Silly me - "the light comith from above SeaniBu, look to the light." Sometimes I really wonder about myself.:disapp:

 

[Tonichelle]

it also kicks back to the days of the strict rules of elligible vs pro skating... now the line is no more. before skaters could make no money by touring if they wanted to compete... then it was 'ok you can but only for so much per year' now it's a free for all. This used to be an ISU rule, not just individual federations... now it's up to the federations to dictate what skaters can and cannot do for money

 

[eliza88]

The first time I watched this show I was annoyed that they were showing Kristi's favorites and nothing new (I fast forwarded practically everything!)...but then I realised I was simply being impatient because the Seattle SOI is very very soon! Anyway, I watched the whole darn thing last night and enjoyed it immensly! If I didn't already have tickets, I would have bought them immediately! The sneak peaks/behind the scenes stuff were great! I can't wait! This will be my husbands first time seeing skating live, I hope it leaves an impression...Katia being there is an added bonus!

About the performances...I am assuming Kimmie only did this one show...it's nice to see her joy on the ice...I think touring last year has helped her connect with the audience more, I wouldn't say she is completely there yet, but I like the improvement! Katarina's program was wonderful to see again...I found it powerful and moving...and I can always watch the beauty of Katia!

Does anyone know why Elena and Anton aren't in the show this year? Are they touring with a show in Russia?

eliza88

 

[heyang]

Actually, this show is a total marketing tool. They don't want to show much of this year's tour - otherwise, why go see the show at all? It's not worth it for them to show any significant part of the current tour on air because they'll put it on a DVD later and sell it as part of a collection. I think the years of actually being able to watch the show on TV is done.

 

[chuckm]

It's my understanding that both Emily and Kimmie are appearing as guest stars. That means they do only a few selected appearances, ones that won't conflict with competition dates. The USFS wouldn't have a problem with that.

It's when a skater signs as a permanent cast member that the USFS can get tough. When Todd Eldredge signed on with SOI, he thought he had gotten a waiver from the USFS, but then show dates conflicted with appearances Todd was supposed to do for the USFS. So the the USFS gave him a choice: eligibility or SOI. Todd chose SOI.

Sarah was able to get a sanction from the USFS to tour for an entire season because she wasn't prepared to come back and compete at that time anyway. But she did have to file paperwork promising that she would come back and compete at some time in the future. Of course, she hasn't lived up to that agreement, and it's unlikely the USFS would ever give her another full-season sanction. But Sarah doesn't seem interested in eligible skating any more, as she hasn't mentioned an Olympic comeback in over a year now.