ISU Congress & elections 2022

[overedge]

For an organization whose official working language is English, the ISU consistently manages to produce documents and communications in that language that are very difficult to read. It's not just the unusual phrasing, it's the bureaucratic jargon all over the place as well.

My proposal to the ISU congress would be to invest some professional development money for staff training in Plain English.

 

[Orm Irian]

My proposal to the ISU congress would be to invest some professional development money for staff training in Plain English.

Or just to hire an editor.*

*Not me.

 

[MacMadame]

Or just to hire an editor.*

*Not me.

Anything that is "legalistic" will have a tendency to not be straightforward. But I think a good editor could make a difference in these regulations. Also, it might be better if they were written in the person's first language and then translated by a decent translator rather than people trying to use English when it's their 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) language.

It's probably okay how they do it now though. I mean hiring all those people (translators, editors) is probably overkill. But if they wanted to make a big improvement with little cost, having some kind of editor with subject matter expertise could make a noticeable difference.

 

[Dobre]

Nevermind. (I read the initial post incorrectly).

 

[Ena Grins]

Other points of some interest:

p. 26 Hungary proposes the addition of two major ISU junior championships: European Junior Championships and Four Continents Junior Championships. The ISU Council opposes this proposal, on the grounds of additional expense and that relatively few junior athletes would qualify. It notes specifically: "Furthermore, it is already a challenge to find a sufficient number of organizing ISU Members for the current ISU Figure Skating Championships."

This is a good proposal and it's really unfortunate (but understandable) that the ISU Council opposes it for those reasons.

 

[Aussie Willy]

This is a good proposal and it's really unfortunate (but understandable) that the ISU Council opposes it for those reasons.

Well part of the problem with ISU events is they have a number of requirements that need to be met such as size of the stadium, number of seats, etc. You could have those events if you had realistic and managable requirements.

 

[Sylvia]

Congress agenda and proposals published

https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/isu-communications/communications/28303-isu-communication-2472/file

Communication No. 2472
Update May 3, 2022 – Proposal No. 40

May 5th article - Finland’s Susanna Rahkamo has claimed the International Skating Union (ISU) is "too traditional" and vowed to lead the organisation into a "new era":

ISU Presidential candidate Rahkamo wants to lead organisation into "new era"

Finland’s Susanna Rahkamo has claimed the International Skating Union is "too traditional" and vowed to lead the organisation into a "new era" if she...

www.insidethegames.biz

Rahkamo's 11-page manifesto is published here: https://cdn.dmcl.biz/media/file/239443/Susanna_Rahkamo_A4_FINLAND.pdf

 

[overedge]

Susanna has some excellent ideas that are definitely more modern and better thought-out than most of the ISU does. I do wish, though, that she would give some more concrete proposals around ensuring safe and respectful training environments for athletes.

 

[ostile17]

" Figure skating combines art and sports

⸋ Syncro - strong team spirit
⸋ Dance - artistry and harmony
⸋ Pairs - acrobats, tough and extreme
⸋ Singles - brave and technicians"

 

[Sylvia]

Communication No. 2481 (May 16, 2022) - 58th ISU Ordinary Congress, Phuket, June 2022
Urgent Matters submitted: https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/isu-communications/communications/28411-isu-communication-2481/file

 

[Frau Muller]

Great location…because no place on earth screams figure skating quite like the beaches of Phuket, Thailand, during hot summer months! 🏖

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting this podcast interview in this relevant thread:

We were fortunate to interview Susanna Rahkamo about her nomination for ISU President and her manifesto: https://redcircle.com/shows/this-we...episodes/fa0475c2-5761-46cd-a446-c255f34d0ee1

Skate Canada’s statement endorsing Benoît Lavoie for ISU Vice President - Figure Skating (includes his video):

Skate Canada endorses Benoît Lavoie as International Skating Union Vice President - Figure Skating

OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada has officially endorsed Benoît Lavoie’s candidacy for the position of Vice President – Figure Skating of the International Skating Union (ISU). Elections will take place at the 58th Ordinary ISU Congress 2022 which will be held in Phuket, Thailand from June 6-10, 2022...

skatecanada.ca

 

[VGThuy]

" Figure skating combines art and sports

⸋ Syncro - strong team spirit
⸋ Dance - artistry and harmony
⸋ Pairs - acrobats, tough and extreme
⸋ Singles - brave and technicians"

I hope she emphasizes the “tech” in “technicians”…. That’d be refreshing.

I thought ice dance fans preferred discord over harmony as evidenced by the Pasha and then the Marina Anissina v. Barbara days. Oh wait, those types are part of the “aging audience” that she wants to be respected while attracting younger viewers.

 

[Sylvia]

Manifesto links are posted for the other 3 candidates for ISU president: https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/rules-regulations/isu-congresses

Mr. Slobodan DELIC, Serbia: Manifesto

Mr. Jae Youl KIM, Korea: Manifesto

Ms. Patricia ST. PETER, USA: Manifesto

"The 58th Ordinary ISU Congress will be available as a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Further details will be provided in due course."

 

[Karen-W]

Manifesto links are posted for the other 3 candidates for ISU president: https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/rules-regulations/isu-congresses

Mr. Slobodan DELIC, Serbia: Manifesto

Mr. Jae Youl KIM, Korea: Manifesto

Ms. Patricia ST. PETER, USA: Manifesto

"The 58th Ordinary ISU Congress will be available as a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Further details will be provided in due course."

Well, if work is still slow, I might tune in!

 

[Andrea82]

Well, if work is still slow, I might tune in!

If it is like 2018, prepare the popcorns.
I am not sure if my highlight was when some delegates didn't understand they just voted in dozens of proposals through a single vote or when the Single & Pair Technical Committee realized one of their proposals was written in such a way it meant something else.
Ah no, maybe the top was when they had to repeat the second vote for Ice Dance Technical Committee because Lakernik and co hadn't understood their voting system.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I so I don't .

These are the people in charge of the sport...

 

[overedge]

If it is like 2018, prepare the popcorns.
I am not sure if my highlight was when some delegates didn't understand they just voted in dozens of proposals through a single vote or when the Single & Pair Technical Committee realized one of their proposals was written in such a way it meant something else.

Like I said....for an organization whose official language is English, the ISU certainly struggles with producing documents in clear, understandable English

Ah no, maybe the top was when they had to repeat the second vote for Ice Dance Technical Committee because Lakernik and co hadn't understood their voting system.

This is giving me flashbacks to $peedy's infamous "it's just a proposal"......

 

[clairecloutier]

A Hungarian judge, Akos Pethes, was investigated for his scoring of the Hungarian pairs Chtchetinina/Magyar and Pavlova/Nagy at the 2022 European Championships. His scores for them were considered questionable (as in, too high), and he was investigated for national bias. He admitted his marks for the Hungarians were outside the other judges' perception and may have been in error, for which he blames his lack of experience in judging pairs skating. The investigation finds that his actions, while questionable, "lack evidence of intentional 'national bias', hence is absent proof of bias, malice or bad faith." So, apparently he will go on as a judge.

https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/isu-communications/communications/28500-case-2022-01-isu-vs-pethes/file

I find it interesting that this relatively minor judging breach was investigated, whereas so many larger ones are not.

 

[ice coverage]

... "The 58th Ordinary ISU Congress will be available as a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Further details will be provided in due course."

YouTube links now are available for anyone who wants to set reminders.

From the ISU Agenda, the schedule for Monday June 6 in local time in Phuket:

09.00 to 12.30 (approx) Congress – agenda items A.1 – A.16
2.30 to 14.00 Lunch
14.00 to 15.30 (approx) Workshops (held simultaneously divided by Branch)

Technical Rule amendments Figure Skating Branch (as per Art. 33, para 9.d)
Technical Rule amendments Speed Skating Branch (as per Art. 32, para 9.d)​

16.00 to 17.00 Congress – agenda items A.17-A.18
17.15 to 18.00 Election voting procedure rehearsal​

ISU Congress 2022

Visit https://isu.org/inside-isu/rules-regulations/isu-congresses for more information.The ISU Council and the Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thaila...

youtu.be

(streaming scheduled to start on June 5 at 9:45 pm EDT for me in the U.S. -- which corresponds to June 6 at 8:45 am in Phuket)

Figure Skating Branch Session

Visit https://isu.org/inside-isu/rules-regulations/isu-congresses for more information. The ISU Council and the Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thail...

youtu.be

Speed Skating Branch Session

Visit https://isu.org/inside-isu/rules-regulations/isu-congresses for more information.The ISU Council and the Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thaila...

youtu.be

(streaming of both branch sessions scheduled to start on June 6 at 2:45 am EDT -- which corresponds to June 6 at 1:45 pm in Phuket)

ETA:

Playlist link for all of the above

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuiPiC1Hk8eI1x_f0tmAcI8QZDwqLWha_

 

[On My Own]

Which coffee do fsu members like with their ISU congress?

 

[Pink Cats]

Which coffee do fsu members like with their ISU congress?

McCafe

 

[Vagabond]

Which coffee do fsu members like with their ISU congress?

Irish.

 

[ice coverage]

ETA:

Playlist link for all of the above​

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuiPiC1Hk8eI1x_f0tmAcI8QZDwqLWha_

Another (big) batch of streaming links has been added to the ISU YouTube playlist.

For Mon Jun 6 thru Wed Jun 8, I believe the streaming links correspond to the schedule (in local time) from the agenda like so:

MONDAY, JUNE 6

~ 09.00 to 12.30 (approx) Congress – agenda items A.1 – A.16

https://youtu.be/YUm4XhctA68 [Jun 5 at 9:45 pm Eastern Daylight Time]​

~ 12.30 to 14.00 Lunch
~ 14.00 to 15.30 (approx) Workshops (held simultaneously divided by Branch)

Technical Rule amendments Figure Skating Branch (as per Art. 33, para 9.d)

https://youtu.be/ocelhttI-D4 [Jun 6 at 2:45 am EDT]​

Technical Rule amendments Speed Skating Branch (as per Art. 32, para 9.d)

https://youtu.be/Pe1mLBxQTKY [Jun 6 at 2:45 am EDT]​

~ 16.00 to 17.00 Congress – agenda items A.17-A.18

https://youtu.be/ymfgGRGqLeY [Jun 6 at 5:00 am EDT]​

~ 17.15 to 18.00 Election voting procedure rehearsal​

TUESDAY, JUNE 7

~ 09.00 to 12.30 Congress – agenda items A.17-A.18

https://youtu.be/5pMZt8uss2I [Jun 6 at 9:45 pm EDT]​

~ 12.30 to 14.00 Lunch
~ 14.00 to 17.00 Congress – agenda items A.17-A.18

https://youtu.be/_gIj4fjAUcQ [Jun 7 at 2:45 am EDT]​

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

~ 09.00 to 12.30 Congress – agenda items A.17-A.18 (if not completed before)

combined stream with Figure Skating session below
https://youtu.be/w23ubcoU-Rc [Jun 7 at 9:45 pm EDT]​

Alternatively to be held simultaneously

~ Speed Skating Branch Session – agenda items B.1-B.11

https://youtu.be/oCgk4WsnbNw [Jun 7 at 9:45 pm EDT]​

~ Figure Skating Branch Session – agenda items C.1-C.11

combined stream with Congress stream above
https://youtu.be/w23ubcoU-Rc [Jun 7 at 9:45 pm EDT]​

~ 12.30 to 14.00 Lunch
~ 14.30 to 18.30 Excursion
~ 20.00 to 23.00 Dinner hosted by the Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand​

For Thu Jun 9 and Fri Jun 10, not so clear exactly how the links align with the schedule ... but maybe(?) something like so??

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

~ 09.00 to 12.30

Speed Skating Branch Session – agenda items B.1-B.11

https://youtu.be/2v8XlpJAKg8 [Jun 8 at 9:45 pm EDT]​

Figure Skating Branch Session – agenda items C.1-C.11

(no separate link for this session [yet?])​

~ 12.30 to 14.00 Lunch
~ 14.00 to 17.00

Speed Skating Branch Session – agenda items B.1-B.11

(no separate link for this session [yet?])​

Figure Skating Branch Session – agenda items C.1-C.11

https://youtu.be/-Au4CxgchcQ [Jun 9 at 2:45 am EDT]​

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

~ 09.00 to 11.00 (approx.) Congress – agenda items D.19-D.31

https://youtu.be/v8ga3vi_Fvw [Jun 9 at 9:45 pm EDT]​

~ 11.00 to 11.30 (approx.) Speed Skating Branch Session – agenda items B.12-B.17

https://youtu.be/p-0CyanGxjI [Jun 10 at 12:00 am EDT]​

~ 11.30 to 12.15 (approx.) Figure Skating Branch Session – agenda items C.12-C.18

(no separate link for this session [yet?])​

~ 12.15 to 13.00 (approx.) Congress – agenda items D.32-D.37

(no separate link for this session [yet?])​

~ 13.00 to 14.00 (approx.) Opening Doors – Tributes – Cocktails
~ 20.00 to 24.00 Closing Banquet hosted by the ISU​

 

[overedge]

I want a live link to the closing banquet, to see what kind of shenanigans go on after the official business is finished.

 

[Orm Irian]

Which coffee do fsu members like with their ISU congress?

Better make it decaf. Blood pressure will likely be through the roof on a regular basis even without assistance.

 

[Sylvia]

The ISU Athletes Commission members, such as Evan Bates & Eric Radford, are in Phuket and enjoying the sights/beach/hotel/food&drink (check out Madi Chock's & Eric's Instagram stories) - Madi's photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CeZDILEOaAO/

 

[Karen-W]

The Philippines Skating Union is also posting pictures from Thailand on their IG - they sent two delegates.

Watch this story by Philippine Skating Union on Instagram before it disappears.

instagram.com

It's fun to see the pics from all the accounts, but I was amused by the comments on Madi's IG congratulating them on their wonderful vacation location. Clearly those folks are unaware that this will be a working vacation for Evan (and it wouldn't surprise me if Madi does her part of schmoozing and networking - though she'll certainly have more time to enjoy the beaches, pools and other amenities ). The hotel itself is just gorgeous. After the last 2+ years, who am I to begrudge any of these folks who work very hard to bring us our favorite sports (flaws and all) a gathering in a place like Phuket?

 

[On My Own]

https://twitter.com/AnythingGOE/status/1533385716385857536

According to Match TV, it has been determined that Russia and Belarus will be allowed to take part in the ISU Congress. This decision was allegedly influenced by the possibility of a case going to CAS if they had been excluded.

 

[mella]

In turn is this not an acknowledgement that they have no grounds and no ability to create grounds to exclude them and therefore by extension their athletes? I thought the whole point was they would vote on whether to introduce new regulations and if that was successful the delegation would be excluded?

The idea that they could have officials elected/reelected as part of this cogress whilst athletes are excluded is pretty grim and ridiculous and smells like the isu looking after their mates again whilst athletes are punished. And I'm in favour of the athlete ban.