State of Australian Skating 2016

[skaterfan2501]

I dont think they are referring to the Dodds family its more the family in admin positions who are opening new rinks and making decisions that are negatively affecting skating in this country. Good luck to all our skaters at 4CC - its their chance to shine and shuut the negative people up.

 

[Urucubaca]

Seems Urucubaca is a new member trying to stir more about issues that we have already moved passed from

Hardly my intention. Lending a voice to where it's needed.

I really hate that the thread that i made has been turned into a big mess.
To those who turned the page into this, all i can say is 'How dare you do such a thing'
And 'how dare you make accusations against honest casual fans (and not connected to any one in my country's skating community- like me) conspiring to belittle other skaters'

And thankyou for those who keep it positive.

My sincerest apologies for opening this can of worms.

 

[edwinaskater1943]

It interesting that you pointed out valid facts but are accused of being negative. Apparently it's ok to have a go at Charlton but none of the others Karne supports ...roll eye, sarcasm whatever

 

[sk8ingcoach]

its more the family in admin positions who are opening new rinks and making decisions that are negatively affecting skating in this country.

I would assume you're talking about the Cain/Lynch Family. I don't think they are negatively affecting skating ??

 

[skaterfan2501]

I would assume you're talking about the Cain/Lynch Family. I don't think they are negatively affecting skating ??

Of course you wouldn't lol

 

[sk8ingcoach]

Of course you wouldn't lol

You don't know me so you can't really say that.... But what have they done so bad that you think they are such terrible people ? Atleast they are getting stuff done. Our last president did nothing

 

[edwinaskater1943]

Not terrible people but huge conflict of interest being President and pushing your own rink , lowering standards to encourage kids to the sport on the premise that you can represent the country after skating for 2 years. Its now clear the motives for the relaxation of many things in recent years and totally unacceptable in other sports

 

[skaterfan2501]

Not terrible people but huge conflict of interest being President and pushing your own rink , lowering standards to encourage kids to the sport on the premise that you can represent the country after skating for 2 years. Its now clear the motives for the relaxation of many things in recent years and totally unacceptable in other sports

Wow someone said it - the elephant in the room. Good on you!

 

[sk8ingcoach]

There are always conflicts of interest in this sport. Especially in Australia where it is such a small community. Standards were lowered before Peter became president. When the ISA Tech Minimum scores were introduced they were too low. We all know that. But you cannot just blame the Lynch/Cain family for that. There was a whole committee who decided those scores.

I agree that perhaps Australia is currently allowing skaters to represent their country without achieving too much. I know some people who have been to overseas events but not too nationals, which is of course ridiculous. The scores have been raised since they were first introduced and they are probably almost at the correct level imo, but i don't think skaters coming 17th at nationals should not be able to go overseas just because they achieved the minimum scores. Obviously some changes have to be made and im sure they will. I personally think for example that even if you have achieved the tech minimum scores, that no skater should be sent overseas unless ranked in the top 10 of their division. Thats just a suggestion. But you also have to remember that we are not the USA or Russia. Countries like Croatia and Poland send nearly all of their skaters to international events. Sure some would say it's unfair to senior skaters who didn't get to go when they were young. But times are changing. Best get used to it

 

[skaterfan2501]

There are always conflicts of interest in this sport. Especially in Australia where it is such a small community. Standards were lowered before Peter became president. When the ISA Tech Minimum scores were introduced they were too low. We all know that. But you cannot just blame the Lynch/Cain family for that. There was a whole committee who decided those scores.

I agree that perhaps Australia is currently allowing skaters to represent their country without achieving too much. I know some people who have been to overseas events but not too nationals, which is of course ridiculous. The scores have been raised since they were first introduced and they are probably almost at the correct level imo, but i don't think skaters coming 17th at nationals should not be able to go overseas just because they achieved the minimum scores. Obviously some changes have to be made and im sure they will. I personally think for example that even if you have achieved the tech minimum scores, that no skater should be sent overseas unless ranked in the top 10 of their division. Thats just a suggestion. But you also have to remember that we are not the USA or Russia. Countries like Croatia and Poland send nearly all of their skaters to international events. Sure some would say it's unfair to senior skaters who didn't get to go when they were young. But times are changing. Best get used to it

You raise some good points and I agree its really unfair to kids who worked really hard for many years striving to get an international only to see a 10 year old get a chance and wear a rep jacket. Im not from Qld but i believe up there they get funding as well.

On the other point I think its very dangerous when you have one family owning rinks, coaching, judging and specialising at ISU level and dominating ISA. Regardless of their honesty and good intentions there is a clear conflict of interest which cant be denied. The reduction in TES scores was driven by a certain few who ignored HP at the time who were pushing their own agenda.

Our international results have not improved, we dont gave any skaters at YOG for the first time and may not even get a spot in 2018. Brendan is the exception but the current senior ladies are dissapointing compared to past years.

 

[sk8ingcoach]

Oh i'm not denying that there is a COI, but there is always a COI. almost everyone in the aus skating community is either related, married, were coached by each other, have been best friends forever. There is nothing anyone can do about that. And i think it is the least of our worries

Remember that raising scores isn't gonna magically get skaters triples. Sure raising them might make skaters work harder to achieve them, but some people just aren't going to be able to do a double axel. But raising them may also make skaters lose hope and quit the sport all together. That's why i think ISA should leave the scores where they are, but create a policy that only allows skaters with a certain nationals ranking to be able to compete overseas.

Skating is also far more competitive atm. Australia has always struggled to get skaters into the olympics. It was a miracle that Cheltzie Lee made it in 2010. I have confidence that Kailani will make it in 2018. Brendan is a bit of a roller coaster sometimes but im sure we will earn atleast 1 spot in 2018.

 

[Urucubaca]

You raise some good points and I agree its really unfair to kids who worked really hard for many years striving to get an international only to see a 10 year old get a chance and wear a rep jacket. Im not from Qld but i believe up there they get funding as well.

I believe that ISQ's policies are changing to block attempts of people joining solely for the purpose of gaining funding. Correct me if I can wrong, but there were skaters from other States interested in joining to leech off ISQ's superior system.

I am convinced that ISQ is doing it right. While I am sure they have politics within their 'system', with all the different groups, it is a far better system than any other State. It even has influence from the strong Synchronised Clubs, which, between them, tend to dominate Australian Nationals.

On the other point I think its very dangerous when you have one family owning rinks, coaching, judging and specialising at ISU level and dominating ISA. Regardless of their honesty and good intentions there is a clear conflict of interest which cant be denied.

The same reason why Democracy overtook Monarchy. It's hard not to look for ill intentions, even if there aren't any. Personally, I'd be more worried about other groups before I even thought the Cain/Lynch situation could develop problems.

The reduction in TES scores was driven by a certain few who ignored HP at the time who were pushing their own agenda.

When this was brought in, it had many people across the country looking to find any sort of reason to why it changed and managed to JUST cover some select skaters. Some of the theories are VERY convincing.

 

[Princessroja]

I know this is kind of a dangerous question, and I don't want to stir up anything, but what *is* the Cain/Lynch situation? I'm obviously not from Australia, but I like the Australian skaters a lot, and this whole discussion is really confusing to me.

 

[skaterfan2501]

I know this is kind of a dangerous question, and I don't want to stir up anything, but what *is* the Cain/Lynch situation? I'm obviously not from Australia, but I like the Australian skaters a lot, and this whole discussion is really confusing to me.

Its not really a situation - one brother is President of federation married to coach/choreographer/ice show promoter. They are also building a new rink. The presidents brother is married to an ISU tech specialist who also sits on federation. They all seem nice people and there maybe more connections but you can see how there is a dominate influence - good if you are coached or friends - maybe not if you aren't ! At the last election people were very divided.

 

[Princessroja]

Its not really a situation - one brother is President of federation married to coach/choreographer/ice show promoter. They are also building a new rink. The presidents brother is married to an ISU tech specialist who also sits on federation. They all seem nice people and there maybe more connections but you can see how there is a dominate influence - good if you are coached or friends - maybe not if you aren't ! At the last election people were very divided.

Ah I gotcha. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Urucubaca]

So where will everything be at by the end of the year? Who will be at the top?

Figure, Pairs, Ice Dance, Synchro... lots of speculation!

 

[GF2445]

My assessment of Team Australia's performance at #4CCTaipeiCity was both a mix of good, disappointing and hopeful.
The Competition at Four Continents is strange as there is such contrast. We have the USA, CAN, CHN & JPN dominating and at the forefront of the worlds scene, there there are a few middle nations like Korea, and then you have the remaining nations. Many of the nations who participate are very well seen as 'emerging' skating nations. On the spectrum between 'emerging' to 'dominating', Australia fits weirdly in the middle but closer to the 'emerging' side.

Nevertheless, what I love about our athletes is that they seem like very balanced and positive people. They seem to really enjoy the experience of competing.
But the key word which will help all of these athletes is consistency and determination.

The positives that we can take from 4CC come under this umbrella idea of consistency and determination.
Kailani embodies this very well. Scoring 108 for the free skate with nearly 60pts for technical is fantastically. She has triple triples in her arsenal, including difficult triples. I am impressed by her spins too. It would be a worth while investment for Kailani and her team to work on pushing the PCS (especially work on the edge quality and speed) mark. To put that same determination she has in her jumps and spins and channel in the 'inbetween element' movements.

Matilda and William also embody this as well. They have really made some considerable strides in their own way this season. Despite definitely being the bottom team in the field, they are very engaging to watch. You can really see them make the best efforts they can to present each movement and element. Obviously, there is alot of work to do, but I am confident that the best is yet to come for them. The key for them for the rest of this season is to try and hit as many of the key points in the Starlight Waltz in the Short Dance at Jnr. Worlds.

We also saw glimpses of this with Andrew Dodds in the SP. Andrew definitely seems like a SP kind of skater. His improvements are undeniable. He is really a quality skater. We also are seeing Brooklee on the comeback trail following injury and other misfortunes (her New Years tweet hinted that there were challenges last year) last year. For both Andrew and Brooklee, the key is confidence in their skating ability and training.

For Katie, it was great for her to try her triples. There are many women skaters in Australia who on any good day, receive the scores she attained here. So maybe this taster for Senior Competition will be the key she will need to aspire to achieve higher. Aspire---- A key word for our skaters.

Then comes Brendan who has been struggling with the mental aspect to competition. This season has seen him start with momentum, and then lose it. He has all the talent in the world and he looks like one who loves what he does. But obviously, something needs to click for him. I wonder what his day to day training looks like- maybe he needs a change.

 

[Baxel]

That all seems to make sense to me.

 

[skaterfan2501]

Kailani has been selected to represent Australia at Worlds in Boston. Well done to her.
I suppose that Brendan will take our men's spot.

I hope one day, the pairs and ice dance spot will be filled again....one day....some day

If it was always the plan for Craine to skate senior this year why did she skate junior at nationals? Last year there was some huge issue that she didnt get both Junior and Senior worlds and her coach was really nasty about it on social media! When Australia needs its best skater at junior worlds to earn JGP spots she doesnt skate but I suppose will take two of the JGPs. As another poster said in response to a nasty comment by Karne in a thread about Worlds teams, its evident that decisions being made are all to suit only one skater in this country . Not only is it selfish but def not in the interests of Team Australia which they pretend exists!

 

[sk8ingcoach]

If it was always the plan for Craine to skate senior this year why did she skate junior at nationals? Last year there was some huge issue that she didnt get both Junior and Senior worlds and her coach was really nasty about it on social media! When Australia needs its best skater at junior worlds to earn JGP spots she doesnt skate but I suppose will take two of the JGPs. As another poster said in response to a nasty comment by Karne in a thread about Worlds teams, its evident that decisions being made are all to suit only one skater in this country . Not only is it selfish but def not in the interests of Team Australia which they pretend exists!

I don't know what 'decisions' you're referring too. Kailani and Katie being sent to senior and junior worlds has nothing to do with favouring certain teams, it's because they are clearly the skaters who are going to give Australia the best results possible.

I believe the reason Kailani was still skating junior and senior at nationals is because she was not aware she was going to senior worlds until after 4cc. She wanted to be training a junior and senior program so that she was prepared for both world championships. It's not always some big calculated plan to steal other people places at competitions. She is just preparing to do the best she can.