Introducing new Pro-Am: Medal Winners Open, Oct. 5th in Japan

[ice9]

Japanese article
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/news...15.htm?from=tw

>>
JSF held a board meeting on 23th and agreed to introduce a new annual Pro-Am figure skating competition, the Medal Winners Open. Men's and Ladies' medalists of past major international comps will be invited regardless of their eligibility. 6 competitors for each. There will be no Dance or Pairs event.

This is an ISU sanctioned event, and will be held on Oct. 5th in Saitama, Japan. The competition will have emphasis on the artistic side of the skating.
>>

I think this will replace Japan Open.

I'm interested to see what the last sentence implies. Will they modify CoP, or use 6.0

[Polymer Bob]

I think it just means that hard jumps will be de-emphasized.

[Sylvia]

I think this will replace Japan Open.

The Japan Open is listed for October 6, 2012 in Saitama, so it apparently is being held in conjunction with this new pro-am - see the 2012-13 ISU Calendar thread: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=83653

Thanks for starting a new thread with the article link.

[ice9]

The Japan Open is listed for October 6, 2012 in Saitama, so it's being held in conjunction with this new pro-am - see the 2012-13 ISU Calendar thread: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=83653

Thanks for starting a new thread with the article link.

Oh wow, I missed that. Thanks, Sylvia.

I'm not sure even Japanese fans can fill the arena for both events.

[ice9]

This article is more specific on the event format.
http://mainichi.jp/sports/news/20120...50001000c.html

According to this article, the skaters will be skating free programs only, the jumps are excluded from the scoring, show lighting and vocals are permitted, and the pros will be consist of relatively newly retired skaters.

This seems to be more like a show than a competition.

[Cherub721]

Sounds good but if the purpose is to promote the artistic side of skating, then it is disappointing that pairs and dance are excluded.

[casken]

Japanese article
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/news...15.htm?from=tw

>>
JSF held a board meeting on 23th and agreed to introduce a new annual Pro-Am figure skating competition, the Medal Winners Open. Men's and Ladies' medalists of past major international comps will be invited regardless of their eligibility. 6 competitors for each.

Yay!

There will be no Dance or Pairs event.

Boo.

[YukiNieve]

Jeff Buttle's official website already has Medal Winners Open on the schedule.


http://www.jeffreybuttle.com/

[l'etoile]

Sounds good but if the purpose is to promote the artistic side of skating, then it is disappointing that pairs and dance are excluded.

Well, it's Japan where singles disciplines are very popular and there are LOTS of top skaters for 'em.

[YukiNieve]

The official site is now open:

http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/mwo2012/

It says the participants are being selected now.

[AndyWarhol]

ooOOoo a Japanese style cheese-fest. I wish there were more!

[ice9]

Some of the competitors are announced.
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/mwo2012/

Men:
Alexei Yagudin
Ilia Kulik
Jeffrey Buttle

Ladies:
Irina Slutskaya
Joannie Rochette

The rest are still being selected.

[misskarne]

Some of the competitors are announced.
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/mwo2012/

Men:
Alexei Yagudin
Ilia Kulik
Jeffrey Buttle

YES OH MY GOD YES! THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF SKATING GOD OUT THERE!

I've been hoping and hoping and hoping for this!

[Garden Kitty]

I'm already more interested in this pro am than I am in a lot of the grand prix events!

[Laney]

OMG!!!!! I would soooo love to go there but it´s way too far away. and expensive... But ILIA and IRINA in the same competition...
I SOOOOOOOOO want to GOOOOOOOOOO! Does anybody knows if this will be televised???

[krenseby]

OMG!!!!! I would soooo love to go there but it´s way too far away. and expensive... But ILIA and IRINA in the same competition...
I SOOOOOOOOO want to GOOOOOOOOOO! Does anybody knows if this will be televised???

I am also happy to see Joannie listed ;-)

[NONKO]

Very HAPPY news!!! Thanks!
Alexei will come back to Japan

Does anybody knows if this will be televised???

TV Tokyo will surely televise it in Japan. Hopefully anyone will be able to see it in the world.

[4STh]

Kulik! Yagudin! Very good news.

TV Tokyo will surely televise it in Japan.

I hope TV Tokyo will televise ALL performances in this event...

Anyway, this event looks to be greater than previously thought.

According to this article, the skaters will be skating free programs only, the jumps are excluded from the scoring, show lighting and vocals are permitted

How will the programs be scored? I guess it is similar to (if not the same) as artistic free skating in adult competitions (PCS only).

[skatesindreams]

TV Tokyo will surely televise it in Japan. Hopefully anyone will be able to see it in the world.

Wishing the same!

[Lara]

I've been transferring tapes to DVD and felt a little sad seeing the ABC fluff/cheesefests circa 2002-2004 knowing they could never be supported in the US today. But glad to get (extra) confirmation there's still a market in Japan!