Japan closing borders due to Omicron--GPF canceled

[Coco]

Things get cancelled far in advance because money needs to be spent long before an event actually starts. If you aren't going to be able to recoup your expenses, or a good chunk of them, you become very risk adverse about spending $$.

 

[mjb52]

In my S/K-centric view of the world I wouldn't mind more time for Nikita's back to recover, but how I feel about things isn't always how the skaters themselves do, like I definitely was relieved when Europeans was cancelled last year bc I was desperate for Worlds to happen and wanted the ISU to focus its efforts on that, but I got the impression a lot of the skaters were disappointed, so if the skaters want the GPFinal to go ahead, I hope it does.

 

[Karen-W]

Omnicron has already been found in Japan. These draconian travel restrictions, like instructing airlines to cancel flights into Japan for the next month is absolutely a knee-jerk reaction.

 

[Sylvia]

As I posted earlier today, the Japan Skating Federation is consulting with the Japan Sports Agency (an external bureau to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and hopes to have an update about the GPF/JGPF by tomorrow, Dec. 2nd.

 

[allezfred]

Japan Skating Federation has said the Grand Prix Final will be held in a strict bubble. Yay!

That was always the case and not really anything new.

 

[BlueRidge]

That was always the case and not really anything new.

But we really don't know yet if they will go ahead in this way? I think?

 

[BittyBug]

It would be great if Russia could pick up the event. (And I suggest Russia because they have proven that they can mobilize quickly.)

 

[Tahuu]

Take GPF to China a week later, if Japan can’t do it. Let China have a true test run of their Olympic bubble. They can expedite visas.

 

[meggonzo]

Take GPF to China a week later, if Japan can’t do it. Let China have a true test run of their Olympic bubble. They can expedite visas.

China has already postponed their National championships.

 

[allezfred]

But we really don't know yet if they will go ahead in this way? I think?

No, we don’t. It will all depend if the Japanese Government will let non-Japanese skaters/coaches/officials enter the country.

 

[seabm7]

South Korean government will reqire all incoming people a 10 day quarantine, regardless of nationality and circumstances. It is very fortunate that 1. Young You does not go to GPF, 2. is already in South Korea due to the ranking competition. If KSU had not scheduled the ranking competition this week, she could have trapped in a limbo.

 

[toddlj]

There's always Tallinn.

 

[Brenda_Bottems]

A little known factoid: I am obligated to appear any time "self-righteous pontificating" is mentioned on this forum.

God bless and stay safe.

-BB

 

[Prancer]

Third time had better be the charm--we have an entire forum where people can talk about *********-related politics and policies to their hearts' content. Please take that kind of discussion there.

If you can't seem to help posting anyway, I will help you with that.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Third time had better be the charm--we have an entire forum where people can talk about *********-related politics and policies to their hearts' content. Please take that kind of discussion there.

If you can't seem to help posting anyway I will help you with that.

Always appreciate the help. I am a little confused. The title of the thread is that Japan is closing it's borders due to Omicron. What are we supposed to talk about here?

 

[Sylvia]

Legit? Published December 2, 2021 12:23:

フィギュアGPファイナル中止へ　オミクロン株拡大、入国停止が影響：朝日新聞

新型コロナウイルスの変異株「オミクロン株」の感染拡大で、外国人の新規入国が一時停止されたことなどを受け、大阪で9日に開幕予定だったフィギュアスケートのグランプリ（GP）ファイナルが中止になることが2…

www.asahi.com

The Grand Prix of Figure Skating (GP) final scheduled to open on the 9th in Osaka was canceled due to the suspension of new entry of foreigners due to the spread of the new coronavirus mutant " Omicron strain ". I knew it would be on the 2nd. Officials have revealed. It is expected to be announced within 2 days.

ETA: https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1466250483434020867
"The Asahi Shimbun is reporting that the Grand Prix Final will be canceled, though I don’t think there’s an official announcement at the moment."

 

[BittyBug]

@AxelAnnie - Since this thread is in the 'Great Skate Debate,' I'm assuming the discussion should focus on the impact on Japan's border closing on the GPF and the rest of the skating season.

@Sylvia, based on what Yuki posted earlier, sounds like it's a fait accomplit. No GPF, at least not in Japan.

 

[Prancer]

Always appreciate the help. I am a little confused. The title of the thread is that Japan is closing it's borders due to Omicron. What are we supposed to talk about here?

This is a forum for skating news. Ergo, things to discuss in this thread would be directly relevant to skating, like what will happen if the GPF is canceled altogether, who could host the GPF if Japan does not, how cancelation will affect the skaters--you know, the things most people here actually HAVE been discussing without any problem.

Things that can and should be discussed in the forum set aside for that purpose--pretty much any opinion you or anyone else wants to share about politics and policies related to the pandemic, particularly if those opinions have nothing to do with the GPF or skating.

You could also avoid posting things that are completely irrelevant, like your opinions of Jen Psaki and Dr. Fauci, who have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Japan's decision to close the borders.

@AxelAnnie - Since this thread is in the 'Great Skate Debate,' I'm assuming the discussion should focus on the impact on Japan's border closing on the GPF and the rest of the skating season.

Just so.

 

[AxelAnnie]

@AxelAnnie - Since this thread is in the 'Great Skate Debate,' I'm assuming the discussion should focus on the impact on Japan's border closing on the GPF and the rest of the skating season.

@Sylvia, based on what Yuki posted earlier, sounds like it's a fait accomplit. No GPF, at least not in Japan.

Thanks for the clarity. I did not realize what the problem was.

 

[Frau Muller]

But we really don't know yet if they will go ahead in this way? I think?

Move it to Estonia! Make it a “threefer”…GPF, Euros & Four Cs.

 

[aka_gerbil]

Move it to Estonia! Make it a “threefer”…GPF, Euros & Four Cs.

Golden Spin of GPF?

 

[Dobre]

Golden Spin of GPF?

I'm wondering whether some of the GPF qualifiers might go to Golden Spin now? During a normal year, top athletes are able to sign up for Golden Spin after the GP is over. Are there restrictions that might make that harder this year? Or is there a chance some athletes might do this?

I was looking forward to seeing Nathan's updated programs.

And also where the top end of the dance field was going to shake out.

 

[toddlj]

I'm wondering whether some of the GPF qualifiers might go to Golden Spin now? During a normal year, top athletes are able to sign up for Golden Spin after the GP is over. Are there restrictions that might make that harder this year? Or is there a chance some athletes might do this?

I was looking forward to seeing Nathan's updated programs.

And also where the top end of the dance field was going to shake out.

Seems like a scenario where the entry deadlines could be waved.

 

[Karen-W]

Golden Spin of GPF?

Probably not? The Golden Spin organizers already cancelled the non-Challenger part of the event sometime in October. I can't see them wanting to take on the additional challenge of holding the GPF there simultaneously. But maybe they could be talked into it, though I think it would be a challenge finding a way to add those 16 competitions (8 SP/RD segments & FS/FD segments) into the schedule as Golden Spin is being held in Sisak (about an hour away from Zagreb) and there appears to be only one ice rink in the city.

 

[toddlj]

Probably not? The Golden Spin organizers already cancelled the non-Challenger part of the event sometime in October. I can't see them wanting to take on the additional challenge of holding the GPF there simultaneously. But maybe they could be talked into it, though I think it would be a challenge finding a way to add those 16 competitions (8 SP/RD segments & FS/FD segments) into the schedule as Golden Spin is being held in Sisak (about an hour away from Zagreb) and there appears to be only one ice rink in the city.

Agree that they likely can't take everyone; plus I'm sure the Japanese team will be stuck at home.

 

[Karen-W]

Here is the link to the current Golden Spin event schedule:

https://isu.org/docman-documents-links/isu-files/event-documents/figure-skating-4/2021-22/challenger-series-16/announcements-114/26549-53rd-golden-spin-of-zagreb-2021-schedule

Thu 12/9
9am - Women's SP
2pm - Men's SP
6:30pm - Opening Ceremony
7:15pm - Pairs SP

Fri 12/10
9am - Ice Dance RD
12:30pm - Women's FS
6:30pm - Pair's FS

Sat 12/11
9am - Ice Dance FD
12:30pm - Men's FS
8pm - Gala

As of today Golden Spin has this many entries in each discipline:

Men - 35 (including Brown) (6 flights)
Women - 29 (5 flights)
Pairs - 21 (6 flights)
Dance - 18 (4 flights)

Maybe it would be possible to add the JGPF flights to the start and end with the GPF flights for each discipline if the Men's FS started later in the day on the 11th?

 

[kittyjake5]

フィギュアGPファイナル中止へ　オミクロン株拡大、入国停止が影響：朝日新聞

新型コロナウイルスの変異株「オミクロン株」の感染拡大で、外国人の新規入国が一時停止されたことなどを受け、大阪で9日に開幕予定だったフィギュアスケートのグランプリ（GP）ファイナルが中止になることが2…

www.asahi.com

No official announcement yet but it does not look good.

 

[YukiNieve]

It has been reported that GPF has been canceled (this is a reliable source). ?
The official announcement will be made on 12/2.

フィギュアGPファイナル中止へ　オミクロン株拡大、入国停止が影響（朝日新聞デジタル） - Yahoo!ニュース

　新型コロナウイルスの変異株「オミクロン株」の感染拡大で、外国人の新規入国が一時停止されたことなどを受け、大阪で9日に開幕予定だったフィギュアスケートのグランプリ（GP）ファイナルが中止になることが

news.yahoo.co.jp

 

[Karen-W]

It has been reported that GPF has been canceled (this is a reliable source). ?
The official announcement will be made on 12/2.

フィギュアGPファイナル中止へ　オミクロン株拡大、入国停止が影響（朝日新聞デジタル） - Yahoo!ニュース

　新型コロナウイルスの変異株「オミクロン株」の感染拡大で、外国人の新規入国が一時停止されたことなどを受け、大阪で9日に開幕予定だったフィギュアスケートのグランプリ（GP）ファイナルが中止になることが

news.yahoo.co.jp

This is the same exact article that was linked upthread from Asahi Shimbun.

 

[kittyjake5]

Oops