Figure Skating Thread (Olympic Spoilers/Discussion starting at post #16)

[onodian]

I’d be interested to hear from fans of both gym and fs as to pros and cons of the scoring systems. As a veeeery casual observer of fs the pcs section did totally sstrike me as wide open for the halo effect (skater x is fantastic, so this will colour all assessments of individual traits), specially since all judges have to judge all. I wonder if that would work were you to split judges and give them only one or two pcs to judge per judge or 2 judges or something of the sort.

 

[arabiandoublefront]

But that’s what the triple axel does now, at least for the Russians. Even though Anna Shcherbakova can do quad lutzes and quad flips in her long program, it’s very difficult for her to beat Kamila Valieva because Kamila has a consistent triple axel that she can do in her short program.

 

[irichluck21]

A nice reward for her finish last year that secured 3 spots for the US ladies here.

Well technically she didn’t secure three spots.
She and Bradie Tennell secured 2 spots for the US.
They had to secure the 3rd spot at the Nebelhorn Trophy, which was won by Liu.

 

[irichluck21]

I suppose if Zhou tests positive tomorrow it is too late to substitute him with Ilia Malinin

Yup, doesn’t matter what the withdraw situation is. Delegations had to submit their official rosters 48 hours before the start of the team event, so Malinin was not going to compete at that point.
Not to mention that Zhou already competed once, so he is done and the US men drop to 2 singles only.

 

[ucrgirl]

You’re right that the TE selection for the pairs event was odd as well. I figured they would have picked the team that skated lights out at the recent Nationals.

 

[JDB]

specially since all judges have to judge all. I wonder if that would work were you to split judges and give them only one or two pcs to judge per judge or 2 judges or something of the sort.

These are good ideas but they’re non starters with the ISU. Judges evaluating both tech and program components allows them more influence over rankings. None of the big countries (Russia, Canada, USA) want to give that up.

 

[tsarinajen]

Agreed. The triple axel is the quad in the short program and it stinks that unless Valieva goes down she’s going to win because of the triple Axel. I’d love, love to see Trusova hit the triple Axel in the short and be within striking distance after the short. If there were quads in the short program, it’d at least give the other two Russians a legit shot to win since they both do harder quads than Valieva. Hopefully they’ll allow them in the short program next quad. I realize it will further the gap between Russia and most of the rest of the world, but we’ll see how long Russia can maintain the talent pool coming up.

I dipped my toe in a figure skating forum and it’s interesting to read the comments about the sport’s progression. A lot of them hate the factory line of the top coach, but honestly I don’t think that’s her fault per se. There’s only 3 spots and Russia could probably place 6 or so in the top 10 — if all are healthy. So it’s going to make Russia a very, very competitive place. It will inevitably force more technical content because the other part of their score is capped. Right now the top Russians can go over 110 in the technical content but only 80 points in component score… why wouldn’t you stack the deck if you could?

I’ve also read the lack of swap from the ROC was a coaching spat… most likely involving Mishin. It’s why Sherbakova isn’t an Olympic Champion now.

 

[onodian]

Well as long as it’s clear that the system as it stands now is a foolproof way of holding up whomever you want.

 

[Seyonne]

Drama! Still no medal ceremony for team event. It has been delayed due to “emerging legal issue”. Speculation centers on possible disqualification of one or more athletes. Do you disqualify the whole team and everyone move up a spot? Or do you just subtract the points of disqualified athlete(s) and see whether that changes the standings?

Update: appears none of the Russian skaters from the team event showed up at practice today. Clue or coincidence?

 

[onodian]

ooooh keep us updated! these sports trying to out-drama each other in the olympics lol

 

[Rich]

any news?

 

[RedBirdie]

Christine Brennan reporting its a positive drug test for one of the Russian skater. Who tested positive is unknown.

 

[makam]

Ooh…I love figure skating drama. Tonya/Nancy defined my early years.

Is there a reason they didn’t do the medal ceremony right at the conclusion of the event? Someone peed positive?

 

[Doug1233]

Oh my god!!! I wonder what kind of drug would help in FS. Maybe water/fluid tablets to drop weight to spin faster?

 

[rue_des_plantes]

Potential drama bomb, indeed. Edit: article discussing that the issue centers around a sample of Valieva’s: https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1119043/valieva-legal-problem-beijing-2022

 

[Seyonne]

I’ve heard if it is Kamila that’s why the secrecy since she’s a minor.

 

[irichluck21]

Russian Olympians doping??

 

[onodian]

Omg yassss the drama is ON!

“The exact nature of Valieva’s problem is unclear, although there have been widespread claims that the drug involved was not performance-enhancing, but recreational.”

 

[onodian]

Oh my god!!! I wonder what kind of drug would help in FS. Maybe water/fluid tablets to drop weight to spin faster?

I’m betting it’s a gag suppressant so you can go out on the ice dressed like they do

 

[irichluck21]

So…it is looking likely that USA will get Team Gold, Japan silver, and ROC would get bronze (should it be Valieva and she is DQ). Unless the entire team results is DQ.
ROC would end up with 54 points and Canada has 53.