Sweden didn't have so strict measures like other countries. They will and already getting some pressure on that but I hope their policy will not change. Also, everyone upfront knows the dates and I hope the procedure to reach Sweden. The fact that they are part of EU helps with traveling. Most likely the EU will have a common agreement with the traveling restrictions without testing. So many teams can reach European countries a couple of weeks before, train there in some facilities and during the competition week go to Stockholm. Avoiding this way any possible quarantines etc..
F1 took place this weekend ( in Austria). Why shouldn't figure skating?
I wonder if it would be possible to just hold more small Challengers if the GP gets cancelled. So that skaters get an opportunity to compete but don't have to travel very far.
I think this would be ideal. Russia will certainly have domestic competitions that will include its top skaters, and the US (and other countries) will be at a big disadvantage if our skaters aren't given competitive opportunities. These club events, where you might have one or two top-tier competitors and very small audiences, aren't enough.
The U.S. and Canada could have 2 events, one on the east coast and one on west coast. Both countries have foreign skaters training there, so it would be a competitive competition.
I wonder if it would be possible to just hold more small Challengers if the GP gets cancelled. So that skaters get an opportunity to compete but don't have to travel very far.
I have suggested this and still think it is the better idea.
Assuming we have 4CC/Euros/Worlds in 2021, I want skaters to get a chance to earn the minimum TES... especially in a pre Olympic year. Grand Prix skaters don't really need to worry about that.
Stop the madness or trying to fix the damn plane while it is in flight! We should take a step back and work with the new normal and skip the old normal for this season.
I will add there is no reason we could not have a junior component of challenger events. Heck alot do already. So juniors would still have some opportunity to compete. Perhaps the ISU should give them some world ranking points as well for fairness.
Really something more like the Challenger series would fit better. it is more flexible, more open, and less populated. Heck we could even hold them in small/localish rinks and skip the audience if need be. We could have a season of some sort with some flexibility and patience (ie no final location decisions till very late to take trends and such into account), but this GP or bust attitude feels like we are about to toss the baby out with the bathwater.
^ Looks like the page no longer exists... what did it say?
I see. As for big events, it looks like he's going to be right. I am still holding out hope the ISU will figure out something to help skaters stay competitive and motivated, like more smaller and cheaper events where skaters wouldn't have to travel big distances to get to and where practically only skaters from nearby countries would show up. But it's all risky, so who knows.
The only reason I could see this not happening is because of travel bans, but, unlike the NBA, the ISU has until late September/early October to create something like this, and travel restrictions may be lightened by then.
Don't they have to hold WCs in 2021 order to determine Olympic qualifications for Beijing? If Beijing ends up being postponed until later in 2022 maybe that will influence the timing of Worlds?
This may have already been discussed (not sure), but should the ISU consider creating a “bubble” like the NBA in the US did for the Grand Prix? It’s a system where all of the athletes who would like to compete would go to one country or city (with multiple rinks) and train and compete together. No fans. No outsiders allowed in other than coaches, skaters, judges, officials, etc. Everyone would be housed in empty hotels, and everyone must be required to wear masks at all times (unless competing or practicing I believe but I’m not sure). Would it work?
Yes, Worlds 2021 then Nebelhorn 2021 would determine the Beijing spots. That's a problem in and of itself, and the ISU hasn't even announced how they're going to figure out GP slots and Worlds spots for this coming season, let alone looking ahead to the Olys. Of course, since we're not going to get a GP the point about GP slots is moot, but the Worlds spots will be an interesting argument.
No, it won't work.
The MLB and the NBA are American-only series. The bubble only has to worry about taking in people from other states of the US. Border closures don't impact the bubble. The MLB and the NBA are also incredibly rich sports with tons of money floating around.
The Grand Prix involves skaters from multiple countries, most of whom have shut borders. There are multiple skaters who are legally minors and would need chaperoning. Almost all of them would need to quarantine on return to their home country anyway. Some, like Brendan and Kailani, would actually not be allowed to leave their home country. And then the big question: where would you hold it?. Obviously the US is out. And then who pays? Who is in the bubble? Remember also that a lot of the international coaches and judges are older; additionally, judges and officials are all volunteers - are we going to ask them to take three months off their paid work in this uncertain economic time??