Phyllis Howard, the USFSA and the WSF

[vesperholly]

Phyllis Howard, the president of the USFSA, was interviewed on ABC about the new World Skating Federation. Among other things, she said that the timing was poor since, during the World Championships, "the focus should be on the skaters".

I agree, Ms. Howard. I really do.

HOWEVER,

When we have an interim judging system that has been ridiculed by the media and skating officials long before the WSF was a twinkle in Ron Pfenning's eye, an interim system that allows corruption to continue under the guise of protecting judges, an interim system that yields ranges of marks like 4.3-5.9, an interim judging system that isn't fair to the skaters who have to compete under it, how can anyone stay appropriately focused on the skaters? I personally cannot stand idly by and watch skaters give a great performance and get jobbed.

The ISU has thrown a clean shirt over dirty laundry and called it clean, instead of going to the laudromat. (Thank you, Dick Button.) They have not solved the problem, they have only taken away the chance of the problem ever being discovered. There would have *still* been talk about the interim judging system this week even if the WSF had not announced their formation.

No one can give the skaters their due focus when the judging system makes the competition a joke.

Jocelyn

[Bailey]

Well said. Her comments (like the comments of Pam Coburn, CEO of Skate Canada), a politically correct and convenient excuse to deflect attention from the problems plaguing the sport. It will be interesting to see if after worlds have ended, these skating federations have the courage to take a stand against the corruption of the ISU (thus, supporting it's skaters, members, and skating fans), or whether they will continue to tow the political line of the ISU for fear of political repercussions.

[dbny]

Yup, the dirty laundry still stinks. I'm afraid Ms. Howard and Ms. Coburn have had an attack of political cowardice. Who knows what might happen to their skaters with the current cloaked system in place at Worlds if they had the guts to stand up for what is clearly right....during Worlds 8O Lets hope they recover their nerve after all the scores are in.

OK, maybe that's too harsh. I mean, really, it would be miserable for US and Canadian skaters to get cheated at Worlds because of politics, so maybe it is the right thing to do at this point. I still despise it.

[SPICYMEATBALL]

Ms. Howard has effectively given the moral high ground to the opposition in the USFSA with her "statement" on the WSF and her denial of support of the WSF by the Executive Council. Jon Jackson will almost certainly be the next President of the USFSA and judging by his outspoken and consistent P.O.V. on the recent organizational and operational defects in the ISU I think it is extremely likely he will lead the campaign to recruit other N.G.B. into the insurgency. The I.O.C. and Dr. Rogge cannot give serious consideration to a new sanctioning group for Figure Skating until the new group has a large majority of the major skating Federations as members. Also, a major television contract for North America for funding and operations. If Japan, U.S., Great Britain,
Italy, Canada and Russia commit to the new Governing body the I.O.C. will gladly step up and certify. The sticking point in this is Russia. Will they take the necesarry steps when the money available for their skaters triples? If the monies brought in by figure skating was devoted exclusively to Figure Skating then the effect would be a 300% increase in figure skating prize monies.

[vesperholly]

Originally posted by dbny
I mean, really, it would be miserable for US and Canadian skaters to get cheated at Worlds because of politics

It would be miserable for ANY skaters to be cheated at a competition because of politics, regardless of their nationalality. Really, I think that's the big problem with people accepting the WSF as a competent organization. TPTB probably think that the North Americans are pissed that they aren't winning more medals/titles, and are out to start their own federation with their own rules that allows them to win it all - sour grapes and all that.

Anyways, what if we learned that Skate Canada paid off a few judges at the 2001 Worlds to give Sale/Pelletier first place in the LP? As much as I love (love, love) Sale/Pelletier, I would be so embarrassed if they won by cheating and the proper parties should be punished accordingly.

Jocelyn

[maruko]

First of all, what makes you believe the WSF(assume it will survive) can be impartial when it comes to judging non-N. American skaters?
It appeared that WSF are extremely pro-N. American to begin with. If WSF do get the power, I wonder if Russians will even be "allowed" to win anything.

Ms. Howard was right with her handle of the situation. Why should she endore an organization on behalf of USFSA when the people in charge of WSF cannot show any impartiality and its creditiblity is in question?

As far as getting majority of federations, I seriously doubt they can get a majority, especially, France, Russia and China. Also, I don't see members nations would want to risk losing their spot in the Olympics.
Besides, anti-American sentiments are running high in the rest of the world. I don't think it is that easy to get them buy into an organization that appeared to be totally run by "arrogrant Americans", especially in these sensitive times.

I also wonder how WSF can get major TV contracts if they cannot get big name eligible skaters like Michelle, Sasha and Sarah to participate in their events. Also, I doubt major TV network will trust a skating organization for hosting major events without proven experience. Major TV networks are already talking about cutting funding and coverage for skating. Why they want to spend money on things they are not sure of
when they are already cutting back money?

Just my 2 cents. I actually like the idea of the athethe's comission that works with ISU in pressing athethe's voice. It is a more constructing way of addressing the issue without having to threaten to replace the organization.

Originally posted by SPICYMEATBALL
Ms. Howard has effectively given the moral high ground to the opposition in the USFSA with her "statement" on the WSF and her denial of support of the WSF by the Executive Council. Jon Jackson will almost certainly be the next President of the USFSA and judging by his outspoken and consistent P.O.V. on the recent organizational and operational defects in the ISU I think it is extremely likely he will lead the campaign to recruit other N.G.B. into the insurgency. The I.O.C. and Dr. Rogge cannot give serious consideration to a new sanctioning group for Figure Skating until the new group has a large majority of the major skating Federations as members. Also, a major television contract for North America for funding and operations. If Japan, U.S., Great Britain,
Italy, Canada and Russia commit to the new Governing body the I.O.C. will gladly step up and certify. The sticking point in this is Russia. Will they take the necesarry steps when the money available for their skaters triples? If the monies brought in by figure skating was devoted exclusively to Figure Skating then the effect would be a 300% increase in figure skating prize monies.