Too many skaters skipping season

[chuckm]

Delobel/Schoenfelder are planning to compete in the GP. They decided to do Nepela this year because in the past, they came into the GP not quite prepared, and then had too much 'catching up' to do later on.

 

[attyfan]

...
I wonder what Cinquanta thinks about all this. He was up in arms about Kwan and Plushenko.

Joe

Given that (IMO) the only thing that Cinquanta cares about is the money, he would go up in arms about Michelle and Evgeni because there are few skaters who would sell as many tickets and/or attract as many viewers as they did.

Does anyone know what (if any) of the skaters skipping the GP this season are in the Kwan/Plushy league for these purposes?

 

[waxel]

Athletes in any sport have always been challenged by travel, fatigue and motivation. I still say that ... unless it is a genuine health concern ... quit the whining and skate. Compare how many competitions a skater is expected to perform in a season with the number of games for a baseball or basketball player, or the number of performances for a ballet dancer or Broadway performer. Sheesh. Suck it up and skate.

 

[rain]

I have to agree with waxel. I also think it's to a skater's benefit to compete throughout the season, especially if they are up-and-comers who have to get their names and programs out there. By performing, you get feedback, you get experience in competing under all different conditions, you get a chance to figure out what you have to do to handle your nerves, you get a chance to improve your performance qualities (because performing for a live audience is very different than practicing in an empty arena) — plus, the travel is paid for by the federations. The prize money may not be as high as in the past, but it's still a nice chunk of change.

Those in the ranks now can't pretend to be surprised by the expectation that they'll be doing a few international assignments throughout the season.

And I have to side with the federation on this one: if a skater is well enough to do a cheesefest, they're well enough to do their assigned competition.

 

[Ladskater]

In years past - before the Grand Prix came along - skaters only competed in two or three major competitions during the year before heading to the Worlds and the Olympics. It was unheard of for skaters to be continually competing all season before the Worlds. I think it is wise for these skaters to slow down a bit and take care of themselves. We have seen skater after skater side-lined due to injury.

Many of the top skaters like D&L for instance are taking a break before the Olympics. But who can blame them? D&L considered retiring last year. We were lucky that they decided to hang in there until 2010.

I don't blame some of the skaters for wanting to choose their competitions - especially if they want to skate in the Olympics. It's better that they will be healthy when the Olympics do roll around. It won't be that long!!!

 

[slutskayafan21]

Many of the top skaters like D&L for instance are taking a break before the Olympics. But who can blame them? D&L considered retiring last year. We were lucky that they decided to hang in there until 2010.

That is what they officialy say now but do you really think they will be back. I honestly would be surprised if they returned. I got the impression their coach wants them to consider returning and keep their options open, but they didnt seem like their heart was set on returning.

 

[rain]

That is what they officialy say now but do you really think they will be back. I honestly would be surprised if they returned. I got the impression their coach wants them to consider returning and keep their options open, but they didnt seem like their heart was set on returning.

I agree about this. I love D/L, but taking a year off and letting V/M establish themselves as national champions....I don't even know that D/L would come back at the top of the Canadian ranks. Had they stayed in the mix this season I think they could have won that elusive gold, but it'll be harder in the years to come.

In years past - before the Grand Prix came along - skaters only competed in two or three major competitions during the year before heading to the Worlds and the Olympics. It was unheard of for skaters to be continually competing all season before the Worlds. I think it is wise for these skaters to slow down a bit and take care of themselves. We have seen skater after skater side-lined due to injury.

I don't think it's the competition schedule that's causing more injuries. I think it's the degree of difficulty being attempted at younger and younger ages. Personally, I don't have any longing for the days when skaters really only did nationals and worlds. All that practicing for maybe two performances? Seems like a waste.

 

[Mathman]

I agree with Waxel, too. Is it really that gruelling to skate once in October at Skate America, once in November at Cup of China, and (if you're lucky), once in December at the GP final?

That gives you three weeks to rest up from the jet lag, etc., in between events. If they don't want to skate, why did they choose this profession?

What would they rather do all fall? Practice, rest and do a couple of shows? That's their right, of course, but I'm glad there are always young guns coming up the ranks looking to topple the prima donna's, hoping to get noticed in the GP.

 

[Tonichelle]

there were other competitions during the fall 'way back when' as well, other wise the great skaters of the past would only have national, world, and olympic rankings to show off, and most have much more than that...

that being said I think if the big name skaters who've been slugging it out for eons want to take part or all of a season off they've more than earned their dues to decide to do so.

 

[Mafke]

It's not travelling and competing (well it is that but that's not the worst) It's having to train to have the quads and 3-3s ready in October (rather than March) for ... let's face it, not much money (relatively speaking).

I side with the skaters here. If the ISU wants the big names to be risking life and limb (and career) on a more frequent basis the _least_ they can do is pony up a lot more cold, hard cash (for the whole field, not just the winners).

Skating is a market like everything else these days and besides worlds and olympics ISU is not meeting market standards.

 

[Mathman]

I side with the skaters here. If the ISU wants the big names to be risking life and limb (and career) on a more frequent basis the _least_ they can do is pony up a lot more cold, hard cash (for the whole field, not just the winners)

I'm sure all parties, Cinquata first and foremost, would agree that this is a fine idea. But where will money come from?

 

[Tonichelle]

well... first off they could put more of FS's money back into figure skating and not put so much of it into speed skating.