The ISU "season standings" prize, B events, and the University games

[seniorita]

Oh good, cause I reread almost all to realize it, I thought this was a new topic and the third part of series!
I ve never heard of this championships before.

 

[dorispulaski]

I have heard that USFS is trying to figure out how to investigate how to get a Senior B competition going in the US, but they are being remarkably ineffective, since they are concentrating on trying to get buy-in from the clubs that run events like Liberty and Lake Placid International Dance Competition. Those clubs run their events as a cash-cow money raiser, where they attempt to get as many entry fees from skaters at all levels as possible. Rumors back from those efforts have unearthed fears by the clubs that the expenses of getting the foreign judges and Tech specialists required (you need 3 countries at least represented) would cut into their take for the event too much. Also they fear they might not be able to have as many skaters participate as they do now.

Another method for setting up a Senior B needs to be tried-perhaps looking for interest among skaters and teams who will be moving up to Seniors and their coaches from both the US and Canada, or from elite level dancers, both junior & senior, who want to get an international read on the levels of the pattern dance in next year's SD.

 

[bigsisjiejie]

I'm not seeing how a Senior B in North America would easily fit into the current skating schedule, and still attract the numbers needed. The financial viability is definitely an issue, as the cost of officials' travel would be substantial. Failing the opportunity to spread the point-earning value of Senior B's around the globe so more can participate at reasonable cost, I'd be up for disallowing all Senior B's everywhere as a point-gathering mechanism. Of course, the European Federations wouldn't allow it to happen, as they'd lose their advantage. And the ISU wouldn't go for it, as this would render top skaters unlikely to attend them.

 

[Mathman]

And the ISU wouldn't go for it, as this would render top skaters unlikely to attend them.

I think this is the main point. After all, there is no reason for this prize at all. If they wanted to increase the financial rewards for the most successful skaters they could just raise the prizes for the existing ISU championships.

By the way, I think that the money for the ISU Team Championship at the end of the season comes directly from the corporate sponsors in Japan. Both of these events have been/will be in Japan. I assume that if this competition continues, it will always be in Japan unless some other country ponies up the money.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Those "B" competitions are truly for testing out their programs, e.g. Savchenko/Szolkowy often use B comps because Germany is not a top Federation, and the Bs are travel friendly. Moreso, I think they are so few entrants, I believe that the ISU has failed to increase the number of participants in these events. It's just not like the GPs which has a full load of participants and not all that travel friendly. Country Nationals are just that. No need to have an international competition.

 

[Mathman]

Didn't Czisny win one year? She competed in something associated with collegiate skating. Anyway, to my mind any competition is a good thing, because it gives skaters a chance to try out their programs.

Alissa won the U.S. collegiate champioship twice. In 2004-05 Alissa was first and her sister Amber was second.

In 2008-09 Alissa's strategy was to fight nerves by keeping busy, competing in as many events as possible. She also competed in, and won, the Nebelhorn trophy in September. I guess the idea was that she wouldn't get as nervous worrying about big events if she had got into a routine. It worked! She won the national championship.

By the way, the best year she had before that, when she got second at Skate America (winning the long program) and first at Skate Canada, in both of those events she was thrown in at the last minute to substitute for Michelle and Sasha. By just tossing her skates in a bag and rushing to the airport, she didn't have time to get nervous.

She did not compete at the International University Games, however, because the dates conflicted with nationals.