S&P to headline Hallmark Skaters Championship

[Mayra]

http://canada.com/sports/story.html?id=%7B0EC64205-1119-4F95-9EFE-46F9778F8161%7D

Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier will skate against world champions Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao of China at the Hallmark Skaters Championship on Dec. 14, in their first head-to-head competition in the United States since the Salt Lake Olympics.

Should be interesting. :)

[fullerl]

Helo? Are they not professional Now? I don't understand how they can compete against amateurs? Help someone?

[Catherine M]

Originally posted by fullerl
Helo? Are they not professional Now? I don't understand how they can compete against amateurs? Help someone?

Its a Pro-Am, meaning that "professionals" can skate against teams like Shen & Zhao.



Catherine

[fullerl]

Thank you for clarifying that for me.

Lisa

[jcspkbfan]

The only "professional-only" competition taking place this year is Ice Wars, and S&P couldn't participate in that because there was no pairs event. Actually, I wonder just what their exact status is right now? I know S&P probably have no intention of ever returning to eligible competition again, but I wonder if any of the events they're skating in this season (SOI, the Disson shows, pro-ams like Canadian Open and Hallmark) could technically cause them to lose their eligibility?

[tdnuva]

Just out of curiosity...

What are the "Disson" shows?

[maruko]

jcspkbfan, according to what I heard, since S&P did not participate in the GP series this year, they will lose there eligibility if they skate in this ISU-sactioned pro-ams.

[jcspkbfan]

tdnuva, the Disson shows are a series of skating shows taking place this fall featuring various skaters (Divas On Ice, Kristi's Salute To Gold, Kurt's Gotta Skate, etc.) Most of the skaters taking part in these shows are pros, but occassionally, eligible skaters perform in these shows, too. Many of these shows also include at least a couple of non-skating special guest stars (usually some singers who sing live while skaters perform to their music, but Kurt's special also had his wife Sonia Rodriguez and other National Ballet of Canada dancers performing).

maruko, so in other words, S&P lose their eligibility at a competition where they compete against currently-eligible skaters and are judged by ISU judges. Gee, that makes a lot of sense. :roll: Now I'm starting to understand why so few skaters are interested in turning pro nowadays (and why so few skaters are officially confirmed for Hallmark right now!)

[skate talker]

I am disappointed that Hallmark has gone pro-am. I thought in last year this was a Pro-only competition - at which I cheered. Now I must cry.

[jcspkbfan]

This isn't the first time the competition formerly known as World Pros will be held as a pro-am. World Pros first became a pro-am back in 1998 (a decision which was heavily criticized back then), returned to an all-pro format between 1999 and 2001, and will become a pro-am again this year.

I wonder just how difficult it will be to get skaters to compete at this year's event--many of the top pro skaters just don't want to bother competing in pro-ams anymore while many of the top eligible skaters may choose to compete at the winter USFSA pro-am thingy held around the same time instead (not to mention how many skaters are suffering from injuries this season!)

[cem]

S/P will not lose their eligibilty skating at the Hallmark Championships. The only skaters that would lose their eligibilty would be skaters who finished in the top 6 at World last year and didn't participate in the Grand Prix. Since S/P didn't compete at Worlds there will no lost of eligibility. Also a side note since Yags pulled out the Grand Prix due to injury he won't lose his eligility for participating.

[maruko]

jcspkbfan, I am not sure if what I told you is the truth so don't take my words for it. I only heard about it one another group. There has been so many
conflicting information regarding when and how a skater will lose their eligibilty this season.

cem,

>S/P will not lose their eligibilty skating at the >Hallmark Championships. The only skaters that >would lose their eligibilty would be skaters who >finished in the top 6 at World last year and >didn't participate in the Grand Prix.

Humm.... I am not very sure about that. I heard one of the conditions for skaters to participate in pro-am's this year is that they have to participate in the GP series. I heard that is one of the reasons B&S decided not to participate in any pro-am's this year 'cos they intend to keept their eligibiity.