- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
@BlissfulSynergy, since the Olys are next season, skaters haven’t had as many opportunities to compete as usual, and there was US$1 million in prize money (I think Team USA gets $180,000 for taking silver, meaning each athlete earns $18,000 if it’s split equally) I can see why Karen and others wanted to go this year. I also think that with the upcoming Olys / lack of comp opportunities this year, athletes may have treated WTT a bit more seriously than in the past. All just guesses on my part.
Even better news of $21,250 per U.S. skater, I believe?
The total prize for the second-place team was $170,000, to be split among eight skaters.
(IIRC from past editions of WTT, USFS has chosen not to take the cut for federations that the ISU allows.)
For U.S. skaters (and others), I think it also was of real benefit to compete in front of a live audience. I don't mean just the enjoyment of feeling the supportive energy of the crowd.
I mean also that skaters once again needed to give performances that would "connect" with the whole crowd, not only the judging panel. And that they once again experienced the "pressure" of the eyes of the crowd.