ISU trying to modernize, is it working?

[Karen-W]

Clearly the Shibs were sad that they missed out on all the modernization and that's the real reason they've embarked on their comeback.

 

[Aussie Willy]

I've read on other forums that smaller competitions are not very accessible for casual spectators, sometimes not even for friends and family. I myself inquired with two skating clubs in the US about their public events and was flat out ignored. So I do hope that big event organizers kill themselves to fill the arenas, especially targeting the younger audience.

It could be because of Safe Sport they have to be careful who they let into areas of their responsibility. They have a duty of care to their members and competitors. Plus volunteers are busy and maybe they don't want to deal with anyone from outside because they have enough to do.

 

[angi]

I didn't know about the Charlene drama until I read it in the PBP thread (still waiting for someone who was in the arena to find out they got that on video and post it ).

OK I have to ask, what was the Charlene drama?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

OK I have to ask, what was the Charlene drama?

I was not able to watch, but apparently she was none too happy in the leaders chair when Lewis and Lilah overtook them, leaving them without a world medal.

 

[PRlady]

None too happy is an understatement. She was boiling. And left the leader chair without acknowledging the Brits.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

None too happy is an understatement. She was boiling. And left the leader chair without acknowledging the Brits.

Really? That was a very hectic/emotional week for me so I was not able to watch most of it live.

 

[farahfan]

It could be because of Safe Sport they have to be careful who they let into areas of their responsibility. They have a duty of care to their members and competitors. Plus volunteers are busy and maybe they don't want to deal with anyone from outside because they have enough to do.

Yeah, I could understand that. But it also means that students and families won't have access to live figure skating, when there are plenty of other sports events they can attend: high school varsity sports, college sports, local professional teams, etc. So unless feds and local clubs find a way to make their regional competitions more spectator friendly or market their shows better, I guess we shouldn't be surprised that the big competitions come around and people are not interested.

 

[gkelly]

Yeah, I could understand that. But it also means that students and families won't have access to live figure skating, when there are plenty of other sports events they can attend: high school varsity sports, college sports, local professional teams, etc. So unless feds and local clubs find a way to make their regional competitions more spectator friendly or market their shows better, I guess we shouldn't be surprised that the big competitions come around and people are not interested.

Speaking for my club's competitions, and similar ones I have attended at other clubs...

There's nothing to stop members of the general public from attending. You don't need a credential or ticket to enter or to sit in the stands.

The problem is that these events are held at local rinks with limited seating. So it wouldn't be helpful to publicize competitions such that hundreds of fans might show up and swell the ranks of the other skaters and families already attending to the point of exceeding the occupancy limits.

Also, as @Aussie Willy pointed out, it's hard enough to get enough volunteers to run the event for the benefit of the participants. Catering to the needs of additional spectators would only make things harder for the club.

Competitions held at rinks with larger seating capacity would be better positioned to welcome spectators, on the same basis as additional family members beyond credentialed chaperones. Some might charge an admission fee -- which would require additional volunteers.

There isn't always a direct correlation between the seating capacity of the rink where competitions are held and the quality of the skating. Fans are most likely to want to watch higher level events. Lower level competitors and their families are also likely to want to stay for those events.

In the US, if you really want to watch NQS events or Sectional challenges (there are no more regionals), your best bet would be to contact the host club and offer to volunteer for a few shifts at their competition. And then stay to watch other events.

Ice monitor and announcing are positions that would allow you to see the skating while you volunteer, but there are other tasks you could also volunteer for.

For club shows that may feature elite skaters who train at the local club or who come in as guest stars, these are often publicized in the club shows threads in Great Skate Debate here. They may be listed in listings of upcoming events in local newspapers or online equivalents, and they would be more likely to charge entry fees to spectators.

If you live near a rink that you would like to attend events at, should they ever host something you would be interested in, your best bet would be to find the local club's website and bookmark it. Usually they will have a page for the club's competition(s) and perhaps another one for shows, if they host any.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Yes, if you are motivated you can do many things. If you don’t know what it is, and you have no reason to be motivated by something that could be an inexpensive family outing that might excite the kids or even yourself if it was way to see — not to mention, inviting you in rather than making it inside baseball to which you aren’t, then you’ll find something else to do.

 

[gkelly]

The purpose of local competitions and club shows is not to get people who have no interest in figure skating to be interested in watching figure skating.

You can't fault them for not doing something that they were never designed to do.

Even if you did advertise local competitions and some families thought "That might be interesting" and showed up, they would probably be bored by the quality of the skating they saw and not understand the appeal.

Of course, if they're going to watch their friend or family member compete, they might become intrigued. Or not. But that's what's more likely to get them in the door.

Only events with large deep junior and senior fields would be likely to appeal to casual viewers. But even then, the average quality of the skating is not likely to make fans out of nonfans.

For local club shows, especially those that do bring in elite guest skaters, and charge moderate entry fees, they can advertise to the general public, but it's not like they would have a large advertising budget. They're probably trying to earn money to support club activities (and paying for the guest skaters' expenses and perhaps appearance fees). And being run by volunteers. So what do you expect them to do to attract audiences appropriate for their seating capacity?

Club shows at training centers with many local elite competitors could also be fun for newbies to watch. But they'll still be run by volunteers and may have limited seating available.

Events like Challengers and Skate America can excite audiences better. Those are the events that should put more effort into advertising to the general public and making the tickets affordable.

 

[On My Own]

It's sad that in 40 posts we haven't been able to answer the question, when "no" is a simple, two-letter word.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

It's sad that in 40 posts we haven't been able to answer the question, when "no" is a simple, two-letter word.

Here are the pluses, the modernization of kiss and cries and banning countries such as the United States of America from doing their own ever again lol

The post interview that’s barely even televised is awkward, silly and not needed as is the leaders chair in my opinion.

I liked modernization of some of the aesthetics, not so much of the processes.

And if they really want to modernize, I wanna see merch, I want to get an amber tote bag, Paul’s hot pants and Frangi’s red shirt he skates the Andrea Bocelli program. I mean, let’s make it a true business.

 

[jägerbomb]

Can't wait for shoulder shimmy transitions being given 9s.

Oh wait the component no longer exists.

You good, dear? You seem upset.

 

[jägerbomb]

I'm no fan of the ISU, but I actually think most of what the ISU implemented at Worlds was successful. I'm looking forward to one less jumping pass next quadrennial. Now if they would only fix the hideous meandering sequences. Yuka Sato should be the template for high-valued step sequences.

But the cringefest that is the ISU Skating Awards MUST go. It's one thing if the awards recognized actual innovation -- but the blatant Malinin lovefest and propaganda (thanks, Ari!!!!) is off-putting at best.