Comments on: ‘Star rules’ hurting skating

By: kimarlene

kimarlene — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:00:31 +0000

I just turned off Skate America. Please explain how YN Kim can fall and make two ugly, very visible errors, yet be only 5 points worse than Rachael Flatt’s perfect performance.

These two programs were not equal at all. One was good, one was bad. Period. I know they said something about Rachael’s spins not counting, but how can repeating a spin count the same as falling?
They wanted YN to win, and that was that, IMO. She’s the chosen one, and is forgiven a lot more than Rachael and poor Mirai Nagasu.

By: jumpingclappingman

jumpingclappingman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:41:34 +0000

“newsmuse”…find my blog (by clicking on my usename here), drop me a quick email via “contact” there, and i will contact you…if you might be interested in any skating viewing parties (ie: Nationals, Worlds, or Olympics most likely, or course).

By: Jennifer Kirk

Jennifer Kirk — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:46:53 +0000

Thanks! Most of the Grand Prix events are shown Friday and Saturday evenings on Universal Sports (www.universalsports.com) and then Sunday afternoons on NBC. I think the best place to find a complete schedule is to go to this website: http://web.icenetwork.com/events/schedule.jsp?mode=tv . Hope that helps!

By: jewel54

jewel54 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:10:33 +0000

I agree. It is obvious the judges want the boring “Quad Boys” on the podium. Both Joubert and Plushenko are great jumpers, but their choreography, in-betweens, spins, leave a lot to be desired. And these two seem to rely too much on “gimmicks” and “salesmanship” to the audience and judges. I found Plushenko’s “Number 1″ showboating to be annoying, obnoxious, and showing poor sportsmanship. Joubert’s mugging/pointing is an old, tired trick that I saw a lot in the mid 1990’s programs, especially from the pros.

Now it seems the judges give high marks not only for complete Quads, but for audience reaction. I guess audience reaction is now included as part of the PCS. It doesn’t matter if the rest of your components suck–have a Quad in your arsenal and mug to the audience, and you, too, will be on the podium.

Problem is, using gimmicks to “sell” a program does not equate high quality skating and execution. It’s like being subjected to used car salesmen on skates, and I feel cheated when skaters resort to cheap tricks to rev up an audience; what they’re doing is covering up the poor quality of their skating.

And while speed is important, it is not the ultimate definition of good skating, unless you’re Apolo Anton Ono.

For the ladies–it is troubling to see so many problems with under-rotated jumps and wrong-edge takeoffs. I wonder if this is due to poor training technique or these girls being fast-tracked to learn the jumps quickly as possible. If they are being fast-tracked, good technique is going out the window in favor of a skater mastering a jump. But doing a jump incorrectly is not mastering it. Perhaps under-rotated jumps was always going on, but the judges didn’t penalize the skaters. Also, it appears that wrong-edge jumps weren’t penalized as much under the old 6.0 system as they are now. I recall Dick Button commenting about wrong-edge takeoffs in the ladies long programs, but then adding that it won’t really hurt the skater all that much, because the long program is supposed to be all about artistry.

By: dvnelsen

dvnelsen — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:38:57 +0000

Where can I find the tv schedule for all pre olympic ice skating?
Thanks.
Jen, I enjoy your column.

By: dvnelsen

dvnelsen — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:37:07 +0000

I just watched the ice skating on tv. The womens was interesting (loved the cleopatra costume).
When were the pairs featured? Did I miss it. I saw no promos for ice skating on the channels. Yesterday was focused on college football. Was the skating promoed at all?
The ice dancing is a yawn for me; the pairs is truly dangerous, beautiful and exciting to watch. I thought the commentating was done pretty well. Dick on abc has become too flagrant in his praise…like hearing “awesome, awesome” all during the 90’s.
Is our little American the little gal who had the great pony tail 18 months ago?
Thanks for letting me vent.

By: sjs5572

sjs5572 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:01:33 +0000

I forgot to a few more points….judging anonymity should be the first thing to go! Also, judges should be required to justify the GOE and PCS scores after every competition.

By: sjs5572

sjs5572 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:58:36 +0000

The NHK GOE and PCS scores have shown that bias, or possibly even corruption, have crept back into the ISU judging system (did it ever leave?). As stated above, a zero GOE for Joubert’s SP lutz? Pleeez!

I think that we need to organize a protest at Vancouver during the Olympics. It seems like embarrassment is the only motivation for the ISU to clean up its act.

By: Jennifer Kirk

Jennifer Kirk — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:44:03 +0000

9. The system needs to be more specific with what counts as a transition and what doesn’t. Joubert and Plushenko have great imaginary transitions that no one seems to see…but the judges give them great marks.

I agree. So much of their programs consistent of two-footed skating and posing. This doesn’t equate to difficult transitions or choreography.

By: Jennifer Kirk

Jennifer Kirk — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:35:37 +0000

Thanks for your comment. I think as some posters below have mentioned, speed doesn’t equate to stronger choreography or skating skills. Joubert skates with a lot of speed and energy, but I still feel he is far below Weir and Abbott in terms of choreography and transitions. I agree with you that the quad needs to be worth more than it is, and I agree that Joubert was the strongest jumper in the short program. That said, he still needs to work on his spins, and he shouldn’t have won Friday’s short program.