ISU to evaluate feasibility of 2020-21 skating season

[MsZem]

If Germany holds the most international competitions this year (they're also planning the Autumn trophy), tehy should be given Euros in Essen as a reward

If Nebelhorn ends up being the only event this season, I move for the Nebelhorn winners to be declared World Champions

 

[Vagabond]

If Nebelhorn ends up being the only event this season, I move for the Nebelhorn winners to be declared World Champions

Natálie Taschlerová is doing cartwheels at the very thought.

 

[MsZem]

Natálie Taschlerová is doing cartwheels at the very thought.

Eva-Lotta's rapper brother can perform at the ISU awards.

 

[Sylvia]

Excerpt from this Japanese news article re. the Grand Prix Final:

フィギュアＧＰファイナル延期か中止に　コロナ影響 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

国際スケート連盟（ISU）は30日、公式サイトを更新し、フィギュアスケートの今季グランプリ（GP）ファイナル（12月10～13日、北京）が延期か中止になると発… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

According to people familiar with the matter, there are multiple plans for a new schedule, such as late February, if it is postponed. Whether to postpone or cancel, the ISU says it "will reach a conclusion at a later date."

 

[misskarne]

Excerpt from this Japanese news article re. the Grand Prix Final:

フィギュアＧＰファイナル延期か中止に　コロナ影響 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

国際スケート連盟（ISU）は30日、公式サイトを更新し、フィギュアスケートの今季グランプリ（GP）ファイナル（12月10～13日、北京）が延期か中止になると発… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

If they're talking about GPF in late February, that must be a signal that 4CC and Euros are getting bumped later as well.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

If they're talking about GPF in late February, that must be a signal that 4CC and Euros are getting bumped later as well.

This must be a total nightmare for Ice Skating Australia. Four Continents are four months away, and with the current circumstances, tickets haven't even been made available for sale. I wonder at this late stage whether it will be a public access event at all.

Losing the 2000 World Championships really hobbled the association.

So, to have to shift the event later in the season would affect all forms of availability from volunteer support, hotel accommodation, flights, transport, and of course, the actual venue.

 

[Bigbird]

Wouldn't delays just interfere with prep for the Olympic season? Might be best to cancel all international starts for this season and allow athletes to prepare for the 2021/22 season, provided we have one.

 

[Colonel Green]

Wouldn't delays just interfere with prep for the Olympic season? Might be best to cancel all international starts for this season and allow athletes to prepare for the 2021/22 season, provided we have one.

There’s not likely to be any kind of show season in spring 2021, so I don’t think hypothetically delaying the ISU championships a bit would matter. Worlds in 2011 got pushed a month without hurting the following year.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

There’s not likely to be any kind of show season in spring 2021, so I don’t think hypothetically delaying the ISU championships a bit would matter. Worlds in 2011 got pushed a month without hurting the following year.

The 2011 World Championships was one competition, and the last event of the season if you don't count the World Team Trophy being pushed to 2012.

Delaying the 2020/21 GPF would likely postpone Europeans, Four Continents and Worlds, potentially throwing each event committee's plans into a tailspin.

 

[Colonel Green]

The 2011 World Championships was one competition, and the last event of the season if you don't count the World Team Trophy being pushed to 2012.

Delaying the 2020/21 GPF would likely postpone Europeans, Four Continents and Worlds, potentially throwing each event committee's plans into a tailspin.

Yes, but you could move the events back in a uniform manner. Though for the big ISU events other than Euros (thanks, Schengen area!) I think holding them at all is going to be extremely difficult regardless.

 

[gkelly]

Delaying the 2020/21 GPF would likely postpone Europeans, Four Continents and Worlds, potentially throwing each event committee's plans into a tailspin.

I can't imagine all those events would be rescheduled just to accommodate a rescheduled "Grand Prix Final."

It's easier to reschedule 1 event than 4. Why ask for trouble by adjusting the championships to accommodate the GPF, when it would be much simpler to reschedule the GPF taking into account the existing dates for the championships. The GPF is not the most important consideration in the late-season schedule.

Also, there isn't even a normal GP series by which to qualify for a final. So the test event for the Olympic venue may not end up being a final for that series in any sense at all. It just needs to be an international event in that venue. Preferably with some top skaters in the world. But not necessarily chosen with any reference to what happens at the 6 fall events taking the place of an actual GP.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I can't imagine all those events would be rescheduled just to accommodate a rescheduled "Grand Prix Final."

It's easier to reschedule 1 event than 4. Why ask for trouble by adjusting the championships to accommodate the GPF, when it would be much simpler to reschedule the GPF taking into account the existing dates for the championships. The GPF is not the most important consideration in the late-season schedule.

Also, there isn't even a normal GP series by which to qualify for a final. So the test event for the Olympic venue may not end up being a final for that series in any sense at all. It just needs to be an international event in that venue. Preferably with some top skaters in the world. But not necessarily chosen with any reference to what happens at the 6 fall events taking the place of an actual GP.

Assuming that skaters attending the GPF aren't also being sent by their respective countries to the other ISU Championship events. Maybe the GPF should be reconfigured like an Asian Winter Games with a few invited guest skaters instead.

 

[gkelly]

Yes, something like that probably.


It still may be that any or all of the ISU championships may end up being cancelled or postponed themselves, but I'm sure that would be because of conditions in the host countries or globally, not to work around a rescheduled smaller event.

 

[Miezekatze]

I don't think holding a GPF even makes much sense to be honest, when none of the single GP events are really comparable to each other in terms of the quality of skaters and some of them might not even happen.

 

[Sylvia]

All the Announcements for the 2021 ISU Championships have been published by the ISU and include this paragraph at the beginning:

First and foremost, the following information is subject to a timely normalization of the coronavirus situation
allowing the safe organization of the ISU Championships this winter. The ISU is closely monitoring the
respective developments in consultation with the organizing ISU Members and with the expectation and hope
that the situation will be restored to normal as quickly as possible. Please refer to ISU Communication No.
2320, point 2. The ISU will inform ISU Members in case of any development or related decision.

Announcement for 2021 Europeans in Zagreb (Jan. 25-31): https://www.isu.org/docman-document...24922-ec2021-announcement-final-20-09-02/file
ISU event page: https://isu.org/figure-skating/even...figure-skating-championships?templateParam=11
Official website: https://www.croskate.hr/efsc2021/
From the FAQ:

Due to Covid-19 restrictions ticket sale for the ISU European Figure Skating Championships is postponed.
The Organizing Committee would like to create secure environment for all the spectators, while also wanting to create a fantastic experience for our skating fans.
We are forced to wait until November 1, at least until it is confirmed what number of spectators will be allowed at the ice rink.
The Organizing Committee sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause but we hope for your understanding in these uncertain times.
Please be so kind to follow our web site for any new updates.

Announcement for 2021 4CC in Sydney (February 9-14): https://isu.org/docman-documents-li...ntinents-championships-2021-announcement/file
ISU event page: https://isu.org/figure-skating/even...figure-skating-championships?templateParam=11

Announcement for 2021 Junior Worlds in Harbin CHN (March 1-7): https://www.isu.org/docman-document...ents-96/24990-wjc2021-announcement-final/file
ISU event page: https://isu.org/events/eventdetail/...figure-skating-championships?templateParam=11

Announcement for 2021 Worlds in Stockholm (March 22-28): https://www.isu.org/docman-document...-skating-championships-2021-announcement/file
ISU event page: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/...figure-skating-championships?templateParam=11

 

[emilieh]

The GPF used to be held in February, so perhaps their thinking is rescheduling only GPF and leaving Euros/4CC where they are. Not commenting on the likelihood of those working, just saying that there's a precedent for GPF happening late in the season.

I think the last February GPF was 2002-03?

 

[seabm7]

The GPF used to be held in February, so perhaps their thinking is rescheduling only GPF and leaving Euros/4CC where they are. Not commenting on the likelihood of those working, just saying that there's a precedent for GPF happening late in the season.

I think the last February GPF was 2002-03?

Here is the list of the competion dates from two decades ago:

1999-2000
GPF Jan 13-16
Euro Feb 6-13
4CC Feb 22-27
Worlds Mar 23 - Apr 3

2000-2001
Euro Jan 21-28
4CC Feb 7-10
GPF Feb 15-18
Words Mar 17-25

2001-2002 (Olympic season)
GPF Dec 13-16
Euro Jan 14-20
4CC Jan 21-27
Olympic Feb 9-21
Worlds Mar 16-24

2002-03
Euro Jan 20-26
4CC Feb 10-16
GPF Feb 28 - Mar 3
Worlds Mar 24-30

This year the major competitions are scheduled as
Euro Jan 20-26
4CC Feb 8-14
Worlds Mar 22-28

Considering many skaters face quarantine of 14 days when they go back to their home countries, I'm not sure how ISU can reschedule GPF between 4CC and Worlds.

 

[Orm Irian]

The entry list for Budapest Trophy is being gutted day by day; it looks like a lot of skaters and/or federations are making the call that unlike Nebelhorn, it's not a good risk to take. I don't blame them one iota. Hungary's not in a good place with case numbers right now. Better to stick to their training bases and do domestic events.

 

[Colonel Green]

It’s an open question whether we will end up being able to have 2021 Worlds, but regardless, Worlds definitely should not be used as the Olympic qualifier this year. Way too many handicaps are likely to exist on competitors.

 

[Lanie]

It’s an open question whether we will end up being able to have 2021 Worlds, but regardless, Worlds definitely should not be used as the Olympic qualifier this year. Way too many handicaps are likely to exist on competitors.

We will not see an Olympics ever again, so it doesn't really matter, does it? We will never see normal life ever again, if our benevolent overlords have a say.

 

[Lemonade20]

Honestly, I do see a return to normal, including the Olympics. I don’t think it’ll happen till 2023 or 2024 that life will start to get back to normal

 

[MacMadame]

We will not see an Olympics ever again, so it doesn't really matter, does it? We will never see normal life ever again, if our benevolent overlords have a say.

 

[Frau Muller]

Honestly, I do see a return to normal, including the Olympics. I don’t think it’ll happen till 2023 or 2024 that life will start to get back to normal

I fear that the next Olympic Winter Games as we’ve known them may not be until Milan-Cortina 2026. Given where we are right now, how can Beijing 2022 take place, unless some events might happen virtually? But a big ceremony with cheering crowds, parade of nations, lighting the torch? No way, Jose.

 

[DobrinFan]

per IFS magazine on Twitter:
The rink in Grenoble that is set to host the French Grand Prix has been closed until further notice due to the spike of COVID-19 cases in France.

Twitter

 

[jersey1302]

Well Ottawa is hosting an fan less skate Canada at the end of October, however I didnt realize until I read today that only skaters trainging in Canada will be allowed to compete. Borders still have tight security. I was a bit surprised given Edmonton holding the NHL hub and all the international players as well as Toronto for the playoffs.

 

[Sylvia]

Коган: ФФККР не может гарантировать проведение этапа Гран-при в Москве

Этап Гран-при должен пройти в Москве с 20 по 22 ноября

tass.ru

The Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) currently cannot guarantee the holding of the Grand Prix stage in Moscow due to the unstable epidemiological situation. The general director of the federation, Alexander Kogan, announced this to journalists.
“It is premature to talk about forecasts for the Grand Prix stage, - said Kogan. - We are trying to save the season for our athletes, and so far we succeed. We hope that the stage in Moscow will be held in accordance with the schedule.”
Kogan also added that at present it is impossible to give guarantees that the second stage of the Russian Cup, which is scheduled for October 10-13 in Moscow, will be held with spectators.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I was a bit surprised given Edmonton holding the NHL hub and all the international players as well as Toronto for the playoffs.

The NHL created bubbles where all of the players stayed, and they were tested multiple times.

 

[misskarne]

So in otherwords, it's crumbling already.

 

[MsZem]

So in otherwords, it's crumbling already.

The proposed Grand Prix format or sports in general? One can assume that with the situation being what it is, not everything will prove feasible. This doesn't mean that we should already write off the whole thing. Nebelhorn worked out fine. The French Masters took place as scheduled, though it's too soon to say if it was entirely safe. It was mentioned in the competition thread for that event that the rink in Grenoble was closed:

Grenoble ice rink is currently closed due to C0vid restrictions, Grenoble being in a "red zone". Aymoz is training in Courchevel (green zone).

I realize that in Australia authorities have chosen to shut things down when there are cases, but other countries, including GP hosts, have taken a variety of approaches. I'm not an epidemiologist or public health specialist, so I'll leave those decisions to the experts.

 

[Immortelle]

Given the lack of proper mask wearing and poor social distancing at recent events in several countries, I’m thinking upcoming events will be either spectator-free or cancelled altogether.