Decisions of the ISU Council: Stockholm Worlds (March 22-28) still on; Synchro Worlds cancelled; 2021 Grand Prix schedule/Beijing test event announced

[Frau Muller]

Skating needs to start ASAP. We'll become much lighter and happier...until we start bitching about the results and fighting with each other about which of our faves was better than the other person's fave. Oh and the complaining about music. It wouldn't be FSU if it didn't seem like every choice of music was awful.

You must’ve missed the complaints about Billie Eilish this season! ?

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I’m wondering if the usual NBC gang will be on-site in Stockholm? Tara, Johnny Terry...and Joyce with her extra-long microphone for socially-distanced backstage interviews? I don’t recall reading such details in the NBC-NBCSN announcements.

They didn’t go to Worlds before the pandemic lol.

 

[tony]

They didn’t go to Worlds before the ********* lol.

Yeah, usually only Andrea Joyce would go to events I think. I remember the days when Terry was going to all 6 GP stops, usually with Peter Carruthers and Susie Wynne. But Johnny and Tara typically meet up and commentate from the NBC studios, unless it's Nats/a North American Worlds, or the Olympics.

And moving forward post-CV, I suspect a lot of journalist duties in general may be resorted to virtual mixed zones, like they are doing in many sports this year.

 

[PRlady]

Skating needs to start ASAP. We'll become much lighter and happier...until we start bitching about the results and fighting with each other about which of our faves was better than the other person's fave. Oh and the complaining about music. It wouldn't be FSU if it didn't seem like every choice of music was awful.

Don't forget costume snarks. Those are my favorites!

(And not having seen so many of the skaters this year, there will be wondrous new oddities to look at.)

 

[Frau Muller]

Yeah, usually only Andrea Joyce would go to events I think. I remember the days when Terry was going to all 6 GP stops, usually with Peter Carruthers and Susie Wynne. But Johnny and Tara typically meet up and commentate from the NBC studios, unless it's Nats/a North American Worlds, or the Olympics.

And moving forward post-CV, I suspect a lot of journalist duties in general may be resorted to virtual mixed zones, like they are doing in many sports this year.

Now I wonder if the NBCers will even show up at the Beijing Olympics if it can all be done from home? Set up a big green screen in the living room, wear coats & make it appear as I they’re in Tienanmin Square in the middle of winter.

 

[tony]

Now I wonder if the NBCers will even show up at the Beijing Olympics if it can all be done from home? Set up a big green screen in the living room, wear coats & make it appear as I they’re in Tienanmin Square in the middle of winter.

If the press is even somewhat allowed, both Tara and Johnny would want to go I'm sure. Beijing is still far enough away that things can change drastically, especially with some countries opening up vaccinations to people of all ages in the coming months.

They went to Nationals (and Skate America, right?) under more severe conditions, so I'd imagine they will be at the Olympics. And NBC probably wants to film as much filler and promotional stuff as they can, even if the coverage may be drastically different overall.

 

[Karen-W]

If the press is even somewhat allowed, both Tara and Johnny would want to go I'm sure. Beijing is still far enough away that things can change drastically, especially with some countries opening up vaccinations to people of all ages in the coming months.

They went to Nationals (and Skate America, right?) under more severe conditions, so I'd imagine they will be at the Olympics. And NBC probably wants to film as much filler and promotional stuff as they can, even if the coverage may be drastically different overall.

The entire broadcast team was at home for Skate America. Tanith was the only one who stayed remote for Nationals.

 

[Marco]

Unless and until commentators talk more about speed, flow, ice coverage and amplitude, having them speak from zoom or in a remote studio is not that different to having them speak from the rink.

 

[Lizziebeth]

Skating needs to start ASAP. We'll become much lighter and happier...until we start bitching about the results and fighting with each other about which of our faves was better than the other person's fave. Oh and the complaining about music. It wouldn't be FSU if it didn't seem like every choice of music was awful.

don't forget analyzing those costumes down to the last shiny bits, bad color or atrocious fit!

 

[Lemonade20]

don't forget analyzing those costumes down to the last shiny bits, bad color or atrocious fit!

Or raving over the gorgeous costumes, they have come a long way from the 70s polyester numbers!

 

[Lacey]

I would wear two masks, visor is a great idea, sunglasses, and disposable, change all the time, gloves.

And call my Russian friends and find out where they got the plastic body covers!

 

[misskarne]

Sweden reported over 6000 new cases yesterday.

 

[Karen-W]

Sweden reported over 6000 new cases yesterday.

Yes, and your point? The average # of cases per day over the last week is 4469, which is an increase over the previous few weeks... 3873 2 weeks ago, 3955 3 weeks ago, 3634 4 weeks ago. Of the 720,000+ cases, over 110k have been reported in the last 4 weeks alone.

The skaters are going to be in a tight bubble. I will gladly place good money on a side bet with anyone that the ISU is able to make it through this bubble with not one single positive case.

 

[misskarne]

I just thought it might be worthwhile to post some actual numbers in this thread of the flaming hotspot that people are so wildly desperate to send skaters into...

 

[Sabine-Yuna]

I just thought it might be worthwhile to post some actual numbers in this thread of the flaming hotspot that people are so wildly desperate to send skaters into...

Most skaters come from countries that have numbers like that. I don't see the point either. We still live in a pandemic and have to make the best of it. And that's what ISU is trying too.

 

[mjb52]

Sweden posts its numbers in a strange way. They only post 4 days out of the week, I think, so the other days have artificially high numbers. You have to look at their 7 day average. It is rising, but it's around 4300, not 6000. Anyway, it's clear that Europe and the US and pretty much the entire rest of the world are handling this differently than Australia. Sports are happening everywhere, the Olympics is going ahead, etc...

 

[Japanfan]

The skaters are going to be in a tight bubble. I will gladly place good money on a side bet with anyone that the ISU is able to make it through this bubble with not one single positive case.

I would do the same. The skaters will probably only be allowed to leave their room to go the rink, unlike they have access to a secluded outdoor space. Meals will be delivered to their door, and left outside. They will have a special route to get from room to rink in a bubble.

 

[Aceon6]

I just thought it might be worthwhile to post some actual numbers in this thread of the flaming hotspot that people are so wildly desperate to send skaters into...

The positivity rate 4 miles from my house is 3x the state average. I use that info to make informed decisions about where I’ll go and how long I’ll stay out. I expect 99 44/100ths of the skaters to do the same. Your discomfort is yours to own.

 

[mattiecat13]

I just thought it might be worthwhile to post some actual numbers in this thread of the flaming hotspot that people are so wildly desperate to send skaters into..

Worlds isn’t The Hunger Games. If the skaters don’t want to go, they have the choice to stay home.

 

[Japanfan]

Worlds isn’t The Hunger Games. If the skaters don’t want to go, they have the choice to stay home.

Technically, yes. But there are many skaters who feel pressure to go - to set themselves up in ranking for the Olympics, or because it may be the only opportunity they'll get to go. Or because their fed is pressuring them to go.

I think most skaters are hungry for competition, but maybe a bit nervous about going to Worlds due to *****. However, it looks like adequate protections/precautions are in place.

 

[skategal]

I saw on instagram that some of the Canadian team left yesterday to travel to Stockholm.

Not sure who they all were as photos were from the airport. They were wearing masks and my identification skills suck apparently.

 

[Karen-W]

Team Italy is also traveling together from the looks of Matteo Rizzo's latest IG pic...

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

He did a 30 min IG video during their layover in Frankfurt with Daniel Grassl. About 10 min in, they say hello to 2 Canadians on their way (I think it was MT/M but it was just a quick glance and hello).

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

 

[Coco]

Is it true that team Russia went through the airport without masks? I understand their flight was part of their bubble, so I'm just asking about the airport.

Tell me more about the tightness of this bubble, @Karen-W

 

[taz'smum]

Is it true that team Russia went through the airport without masks? I understand their flight was part of their bubble, so I'm just asking about the airport.

Tell me more about the tightness of this bubble, @Karen-W

No, of course they wore masks!
Only when the were posing for a group photo did they lower their masks!
https://ren.tv/news/sport/814108-rossiiskie-figuristy-otpravilis-na-chempionat-mira-v-stokgolm

The Russian skaters have been in isolation for 4 days and have had 2 negative tests before even flying.
They also chartered a plane exclusively for the Russian team so they would remain in their bubble.
This I believe is a tighter preparation than most countries.

 

[Karen-W]

Is it true that team Russia went through the airport without masks? I understand their flight was part of their bubble, so I'm just asking about the airport.

Tell me more about the tightness of this bubble, @Karen-W

@taz'smum post was the first video I've seen of Team Russia in the airport. Team Italy was masked up in Frankfurt except when they were eating lunch in the terminal. The Canadians who put in the 2 second appearance were also masked.

 

[taz'smum]

@taz'smum post was the first video I've seen of Team Russia in the airport. Team Italy was masked up in Frankfurt except when they were eating lunch in the terminal. The Canadians who put in the 2 second appearance were also masked.

C19 restrictions are different in every country.
In Russia the whole of Moscow is open now, restaurants, bars, gyms etc. It is back to normal life.
Despite this, you still have to wear masks in certain places, such as the airport.

 

[tony]

Technically, yes. But there are many skaters who feel pressure to go - to set themselves up in ranking for the Olympics, or because it may be the only opportunity they'll get to go. Or because their fed is pressuring them to go.

I think most skaters are hungry for competition, but maybe a bit nervous about going to Worlds due to *****. However, it looks like adequate protections/precautions are in place.

Can you provide evidence to your first statements?

 

[mjb52]

Skating twitter's obsession with Russia comes across as so xenophobic at times. They do realize that the precautions the Russian team has taken are greater than those of any other team from any other country?

 

[tony]

Skating twitter's obsession with Russia comes across as so xenophobic at times. They do realize that the precautions the Russian team has taken are greater than those of any other team from any other country?

Agree with this, and I'm also tired of reading these assumptions that certain coaches and/or athletes would be running free and demanding their own rules because they are Russian (ie. Eteri demanding to go maskless through the airports, around the rink, apparently creeping up behind the other coaches and breathing all over them). It's been an underlying thing even on FSU.

Skating Twitter is annoying anyways, but the activism of canceling Worlds is really hidden behind the hatred of Russia. And if anyone cares to argue that, go look at any discussion thread there about Worlds - there are always people complaining about Russia this, Russia that, Russia's going to ruin everything, Russia doesn't care. A lovely poster here, after all their complaining, even said that if Worlds does go on, Russia should be banned. It's just ridiculous IMO.

 

[taz'smum]

The Russian Fed requested that the skaters be put in separate rooms while they isolate in Stockholm today. waiting for their tests to come back, but it seems that the skaters are having to share rooms?‍.
So if one test comes back positive, that is potentially 4 skaters out of worlds if they are in pairs/dance.?