ISU Congress & elections 2022

[Karen-W]

They are. They used to publish a paper magazine back in the day (and I think a yearly skating calendar?). They have been around at least since the 90s and probably before that. They would be considered old school media who made the transition to online.

However, they have had financial issues and almost gone under in the past so I would not be surprised if the people running their online presence now are mostly unpaid volunteers. I do think the quality of what they put out has gone down.

Thanks! They sounded familiar, but I wasn't positive, and the person commenting on their behalf in the live chat definitely has a certain perspective.

Snipped a bunch...

What they should have done is present the packages and ask if anyone wanted to pull an item from them out for discussion and separate voting. Then vote on the remaining items as a block. That's what most organizations do with their consent calendar so it would be a concept people are familiar with. By voting to make the blocks first, they locked in all the items. I am sure people didn't understand that they couldn't pull items when they made that vote because they are used to being able to do that. And whoever was running the meeting might have known that and did it this way on purpose.

Precisely. It was a very fast procedural motion, and not very well explained to the room, what it meant to vote on the items in blocks, to which no one objected. And then, as soon as Lakernik presented the first block, which included 201 (the PCS one), I made a comment in the live chat that alluded to the bolded line above. It was very tricky and no one realized what was going on until it was too late. It was either accept the rule as amended and presented or toss it (and the rest of the block) out entirely. It was a very interesting move, for sure.

 

[Ena Grins]

As someone who uses Robert's Rules of Order in meetings I've attended and even helped facilitate, with English as my first language, I had a really hard time following what was happening so I don't blame the delegates at all.

I do wonder if we'll have pushback from some delegates on how this was handled. I don't think this is how most people in the room would have preferred to discuss and vote on such a consequential change.

 

[Karen-W]

I do wonder if we'll have pushback from some delegates on how this was handled. I don't think this is how most people in the room would have preferred to discuss and vote on such a consequential change.

Definitely not. There was a sizable amount of applause when Finland asked for 201 to be removed from the block and voted upon separately, then both the JSF and USFS spoke up with concerns about the proposal itself, especially the lack of testing and data on whether or not it had its intended effect. I think the FFSG were one of the only feds that spoke up in strong support of the proposal, but I could be wrong. And, honestly, had the delegates been able to vote to remove JUST that proposal from the block and pass the rest, I think that's what would have happened. As it was, like others have pointed out, procedurally their hands were tied. It was, in essence, a fait accompli once they agreed to vote on each block of proposals as one.

 

[Andrea82]

I think the FFSG were one of the only feds that spoke up in strong support of the proposal, but I could be wrong.

yes, David Molina from France spoke strongly in favour of the new 3 PCS rule. And then Pechelat did the same.

 

[Sylvia]

ISU Congress Livestream for FRIDAY, JUNE 10 (scheduled to start in ~15 mins.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8ga3vi_Fvw

 

[victorskid]

Agenda items under D up for discussion, due to potential impact on budget, item D.21 is being dicussed first.
Proposal #16 - Speed skating - ACCEPTED with more than 2/3 majority by show of hands (green cards)
Proposal #31 - Figure Skating section recommends acceptance - ACCEPTED by show of hands
Proposal #38 - FS section recommends acceptance (part of package which includes #161) - ACCEPTED
Proposal #154 (not 194)- FS - withdrawn in favour of a resolution to form a working group (related to split panels test) - would add approx. CHF 100,000 to budget - ADOPTED

https://twitter.com/sywtwfs/status/1535087516046565383

Resolution - FS - to form a working group to study having several Olympic qualifying events (re: Rule 400) [quotas & timelines established by IOC] - report to 2024 Congress - ACCEPTED.

Proposal #17 & 18 - Speed skating - re: trademarks (advertising) - Rule 102.6 - Proposed amendment (combining the two) - ACCEPTED

Another proposal (#36) from Speed skating regarding new championship format (short track) - ACCEPTED -

Proposal #37 from Speed skating - already accepted in the plenary - amended to allow mixed team in World Jr Shor Track Championship come into effect only 2023-24 season (requires the addition of a 4th day) - ACCEPTED

 

[victorskid]

Budget, as amended, accepted unanimously. Funds from pending property sale (Davos), up to CHF1.3 million, to be put in "emergency fund" to be used at discretion of ISU Council.

 

[victorskid]

Actions since last Congress ratified.

Moving on to the election of the President, etc.

They have to change the (infamous) voting machines to "secret mode" before they can go forward with this - a break (probably without coffee) of 15 to 20 minutes to do set up.

 

[Karen-W]

Actions since last Congress ratified.

Moving on to the election of the President, etc.

They have to change the (infamous) voting machines to "secret mode" before they can go forward with this - a break (probably without coffee) of 15 to 20 minutes to do set up.

How will they ever survive without coffee going into the most important portion of the Congress?

Time to see who has politicked well and who has not, lol.

 

[Karen-W]

Their definition of 15-20 minutes always needs at least 10 minutes of padding, lol. Lakernik was NOT wrong when he pointed this out a couple mornings ago at the return of the first coffee break in the FS branch session.

Time for voting! Presentations from the Presidential candidates - with no sound. Fantastic!

 

[victorskid]

The order of presentations (by draw, overseen by auditors) - supposed to be 5 minutes each: Kim; Rakhamo; St. Peter; Delic

Now that the presentations are done, they have to pick up their voting machines - based on entitlement of 1 vote (per national federation) or 2 votes (for a combined national federation). Alphabetical order - this could take a while ...

As you might expect, there were at least two delegates who went to the wrong table - trying to get a 2 vote machine when they were only entitled to a 1 vote machine ?

Now the voting machines have all been distributed. They have to make sure they are all active to make sure they have 119 votes. Yeah - they did it!!

 

[Karen-W]

Now the voting machines have all been distributed. They have to make sure they are all active to make sure they have 119 votes. Yeah - they did it!!

It's amazing that they managed it on the first try!!!!

 

[victorskid]

The vote for President is taking place - 60 votes needed for a majority. If no one achieves it, there will be a short break before a 2nd vote.

The results:
KIM of KOR elected with 77 votes
St. Peter 24
Rahkamo 13
Delic 5

 

[Karen-W]

Kim 77
St Peter 24
Rakhamo 13
Delic 5
And we have another Speed Skater as President...

 

[victorskid]

Election of Vice-President Speed Skating - only 1 candidate - Mr. Espeli is therefore re-elected.

Election of Vice-President Figure Skating. Lakernik has been removed from the list due to the age restriction, leaving 3 choices.

The results of 1st round:
Lavoie 45
Matsumura 37
Rahkamo 37
Since no one received 60 - going to 2nd round. No one withdrew.

The results of 2nd round:
Lavoie - 55 elected as VP FS
Matsumura 35
Rahkamo 29


The First VP of the ISU is confirmed as the VP SS.

 

[victorskid]

Now the election of Council Members for Speed Skating - 5 seats from 6 candidates (the 7th candidate was already elected ISU President )

This might be a challenging one on those machines!

They managed to elect 4 on the 1st round - there was a run-off between the two others (from RUS & SRB) for the 5th position. The RUS prevailed.

 

[Karen-W]

Now the election of Council Members for Speed Skating - 5 seats from 6 candidates (the 7th candidate was already elected ISU President )

This might be a challenging one on those machines!

They managed to elect 4 on the 1st round - there is a run-off between the two others for the 5th position.

Yeah, and Russia might very well get shut out here! Rooting hard for Delic to be elected!

 

[Vagabond]

Goodbye, Alexander Lakernik. ?

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[Karen-W]

Ugh... Alexander Kibalko RUS managed to beat Slobodan Delic SRB for the final Speed Skating Council position. Not impressed ISU delegates. Not impressed. Where's my Mykayla Maroney gif?

 

[victorskid]

Now the election of Council Members for Figure Skating - 5 seats from 9 candidates (the 10th candidate was already elected ISU Vice- President )

This might be an even more challenging one on those machines as they need to use 2 digits per candidate!!

Elected 4 on the first round:
St. Peter
Matsumura
Rahkamo
Elek

Run-off for the last seat from the remaining candidates. They chose Sararanch.

 

[On My Own]

Goodbye, Alexander Lakernik. ?

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Because he may crumble to the ground?

 

[Karen-W]

Vote totals for both branches -

Speed Skating
Suwanna Silpa-Archa THA 96, Sergio Anesi ITA 90, Stoytcho Stoytchev BUL 87, Albert Hazelhoff NED 75, Alexander Kibalko RUS 63

Figure Skating
Patricia St Peter USA 77, Tatsuro Matsumura JPN 68, Susanna Rahkamo FIN 63, Gyorgy Elek HUN 60, Maria Teresa Samaranch ESP 36

Onto voting for the Athletes Commission representative on the ISU Council - they recommended Eric Radford ahead of Evan Bates - and Radford was elected with 74 votes.

 

[victorskid]

Now, for the first time, choosing an Athlete's Commission representative who will have a vote on Council.
The choice is between Eric & Evan with the Athlete's Commission advising a preference for Eric.
We await the Congress vote...

Eric Radford 74 - ELECTED
Evan Bates 45
The third candidate was from speed skating and he had to be "dismissed" from the ballot as the new President is from that side of the organization.

 

[victorskid]

The Chair of the Disciplinary Commission, Susan PETRICEVIC of New Zealand, elected by acclamation. She is not present due to a "very sad family circumstance".

Some questions had been raised about the "experience" in FS or SS for three of the candidates. These were investigated and dismissed. All remained on the ballot.

Now choosing 2 FS members from 4 candidates. Bohm SVK & Larasser GER elected.

Now 2 from 3 candidates for SS. 4th candidate (Hazelhoff of NED) removed as he was elected to the Council already. By the way, he is currently in isolation. Monette CAN & King USA elected.

They now must choose among the 4 elected as their preferred candidate/order of precedence (the top one would be essentially the vice chair, as I understand it). Top is Bohm.

 

[Karen-W]

Now choosing 2 FS members from 4 candidates. Bohm & Larasser elected.

77 & 74 votes respectively

Now 2 from 3 candidates for SS. 4th candidate (Hazelhoff of NED) removed as he was elected to the Council already. Monette & King elected.

93 & 71 votes respectively

 

[On My Own]

Thanks! They sounded familiar, but I wasn't positive, and the person commenting on their behalf in the live chat definitely has a certain perspective.

Seeing their comments these few days, including today, I can't help but wonder who even reads them. They're irritating on twitter, too, the few times I've seen them spill onto my timeline.

 

[victorskid]

They are breaking to do something in two separate rooms/sessions - elections for the technical committees, I think.

They also have to reset the machines(!).

Later they will reconvene in the main hall. for the final items on the agenda:
32. Communication of the results of elections to the Technical Committees by the Vice Presidents.
33. Presentation of a status report on the existing four-year plan for the ISU for the period since the 2018 Congress.
34. Approval of the four-year plan sent to all ISU Members by May 1 of the same year of the Congress at which the then current four-year plan will expire.
35. Election of Honorary Members.
36. Various including all other matters which, in accordance with the Constitution or the Regulations, are required to be dealt with by Congress.
37. Closing of Congress by the President.

I'm off to bed

 

[Karen-W]

Back to the Speed Skating Branch elections -

Short Track Technical Chair - Stoytchev was ineligible due to election to the ISU Council and Nefedov RUS withdrew, so Nathalie Lambert CAN was elected by acclamation
Short Track TC Members - 40 Reinier Oostheim NED (but I think he is representing AUT in the ISU - he was nominated by AUT/GER/LUX), 38 So Hee Kim KOR, 29 Christoph Milz GER

 

[On My Own]

Nice to see the Indian delegate beating the Russian one in Short Track TC elections ?

 

[Karen-W]

Speed Skating Technical Chair - Kibalko was ineligible due to election to the ISU Council; Nick Thometz USA elected with 30
Speed Skating TC Members - 27 Hanjo Heideman NED elected on the first round; 20 Oystein Haugen NOR, 19 Alexei Khatylev BLR

I'm disappointed in the Speed Skating members for electing Kibalko to the ISU Council and Khatylev to this TC. Shameful. Hopefully the Figure Skating Branch does better.

Nice to see the Indian delegate beating the Russian one in Short Track TC elections ?

I missed that! How awesome!

Interesting to note that China was shut out of election for every position in which they had a candidate. ETA - oh, wait, they have a candidate for Singles/Pairs TC, so they haven't been shut out quite yet.