Why I like watching practice more than competition

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

One of my pet peeves with IJS is that it has turned the free skate into a longer version of the short. So many programs have a sameness about them.

It has become a Pacman pellet grab where skaters still need to tick off a set number of required elements, in order to do well.

However, seeing clips from the likes of Zagitova where she popped off a 3lutz/3loop/3loop/3loop/3loop, or Savchenko's & Massot's split double twist into a platter lift, IJS rules would never allow tricks like these this in competition.

I miss the early freedoms of 6.0, sometimes.

 

[skatingguy]

One of my pet peeves with IJS is that it has turned the free skate into a longer version of the short. So many programs have a sameness about them.

I feel like that happened before the IJS system was adapted. Going back to the '98 or '02 Olympics and watching the free skates they contain pretty much the same elements. I think it was the triple jump, and the restrictions applied after it became common that let to these programs.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I feel like that happened before the IJS system was adapted. Going back to the '98 or '02 Olympics and watching the free skates they contain pretty much the same elements. I think it was the triple jump, and the restrictions applied after it became common that let to these programs.

It takes a very special skater or team to turn these restrictions into something memorable, too.

 

[ToFarAwayTimes]

You described a mediocre skater who is an exceptional jumper. It's bland watching Zagitova skate, but if you want to watch her jump, there are all kinds of arbitrary restrictions placed on her what she can do in competition. She's the perfect example of someone to watch in practice. The 5-triple combo was amazing.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

You described a mediocre skater who is an exceptional jumper. It's bland watching Zagitova skate, but if you want to watch her jump, there are all kinds of arbitrary restrictions placed on her what she can do in competition. She's the perfect example of someone to watch in practice. The 5-triple combo was amazing.

I don't agree with her team's backloading or program choices, but she is the newest Olympic champion.

That has to count for something.

 

[briancoogaert]

I totally agree about the SP problem. SP and LP are exactly the same test. And it's not as interesting as before.
As to backloading and so on, judges can apply the rules about well-balanced program in PCS.