Past verses Present

[rvi5]

Obviously if a skater from the past (eg. Barbara Ann Scott) had been transported to the present, they would lose in competition with todays skaters. However if a skater from the present were transported into the past, would they still win the competitions?

Note: In the days of Barbara Ann Scott, the rinks were outdoors. There were no Zamboni to smooth the ice, and Figures were worth 50% of the score (60% before 1947). It was reported Barbara loved doing Figures, and would practice them as much as 8 hours each day. I assume todays skaters don't practice Figures.

[essence_of_soy]

Obviously if a skater from the past (eg. Barbara Ann Scott) had been transported to the present, they would lose in competition with todays skaters. However if a skater from the present were transported into the past, would they still win the competitions?

Note: In the days of Barbara Ann Scott, the rinks were outdoors. There were no Zamboni to smooth the ice, and Figures were worth 50% of the score (60% before 1947). It was reported Barbara loved doing Figures, and would practice them as much as 8 hours each day. I assume todays skaters don't practice Figures.

I remember reading somewhere that at the 1920 Olympics, the American Champion, Theresa Weld Blanchard tried a salchow and was penalized because jumping was considered 'unladylike'.

Also, imagine sending a 14 year old Tara Lipinski to 1948. The strong cross - winds would blow her into the stands.

[rvi5]

In 1920, todays skaters would likely be tossed into jail on charges of indecent exposure if caught wearing current skating outfits. Ankle length skirts were probably the norm. It would have been awkward performing jumps.

[barbk]

In 1920, todays skaters would likely be tossed into jail on charges of indecent exposure if caught wearing current skating outfits.

Our 1920s ancestors were sometimes wearing racier clothing than you might be thinking, even in films:
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/s...e-granger.html

(That was pre-Hays Code.)

[attyfan]

I'm trying to think how many great skaters wouldn't have been allowed to compete for the US in 1920 ... Debi Thomas, Kristi Yamaguchi .... and the Kwan family would not have been allowed to enter the US!

[pollyanna]

There were no Zamboni to smooth the ice, and Figures were worth 50% of the score (60% before 1947).

Figures were worth 60% of the score through 1968. 1947 was the last year that skaters had to compete 12 figures; beginning in 1948, they competed 6.

[Vagabond]

Obviously if a skater from the past (eg. Barbara Ann Scott) had been transported to the present, they would lose in competition with todays skaters. However if a skater from the present were transported into the past, would they still win the competitions?

Note: In the days of Barbara Ann Scott, the rinks were outdoors. There were no Zamboni to smooth the ice, and Figures were worth 50% of the score (60% before 1947). It was reported Barbara loved doing Figures, and would practice them as much as 8 hours each day. I assume todays skaters don't practice Figures.

IIRC, when Alissa Czisny first started practicing again after taking time off earlier this year to recover from surgery, all she was doing on ice was figures. So, yes, they do still practice figures. If they're healthy enough to work anything else, they sure don't do it eight hours a day, though.

I think that if one of today's top skaters were transported to the past, he or she would face the same fate as others whose free skating was much better than their figures: dumped so far down in the standings that winning the Free Skate (and Short Program) didn't get them on the podium.

[bardtoob]

Obviously if a skater from the past (eg. Barbara Ann Scott) had been transported to the present, they would lose in competition with todays skaters. However if a skater from the present were transported into the past, would they still win the competitions?

What's obvious?

How could mere acrobats on ice win?