- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
On the "Announcements" thread there was an ISU update on the World Team Trophy to take place in 2009.
What are your opinions? The format is 2 male singles skaters, 2 female singles skater, 1 pair, and 1 dance team from the top 6 ranked ISU member nations and the host nation. The inaugural event is slated for Japan.
I am of two minds on this. As one poster stated on the other thread, Figure Skating is not a team sport. There are no competitive group routines ala Synchronized Skating and Synchronized Swimming. It does seem like a way for a revenue grab; sort of an Ice Wars for Eligibles. Many outstanding skaters would be excluded from this. The host country, Japan, does not have a dance or pairs team. Bulgaria, Italy and, Korea have medalists but would be excluded for not having skaters in all disciplines. I didn't see how they would allow for a mixed team.
On the other hand, there are plenty of official "Team" events for non team sports that do well. Gymnastics has a Womens and Mens team event at the Olympics. There is the Ryder and Davis Cup for Golf and Tennis. Skiing had the World cup Team some years ago.
Those are some of the pros and cons.
What are your opinions? The format is 2 male singles skaters, 2 female singles skater, 1 pair, and 1 dance team from the top 6 ranked ISU member nations and the host nation. The inaugural event is slated for Japan.
I am of two minds on this. As one poster stated on the other thread, Figure Skating is not a team sport. There are no competitive group routines ala Synchronized Skating and Synchronized Swimming. It does seem like a way for a revenue grab; sort of an Ice Wars for Eligibles. Many outstanding skaters would be excluded from this. The host country, Japan, does not have a dance or pairs team. Bulgaria, Italy and, Korea have medalists but would be excluded for not having skaters in all disciplines. I didn't see how they would allow for a mixed team.
On the other hand, there are plenty of official "Team" events for non team sports that do well. Gymnastics has a Womens and Mens team event at the Olympics. There is the Ryder and Davis Cup for Golf and Tennis. Skiing had the World cup Team some years ago.
Those are some of the pros and cons.