Figure Skating

[DJFyrewolf36]

I wonder if any of you can answer this question: Why did they only pick two ladies to go to the olympics and 3 pairs? Did they pick two or three men to go? I really like figure skating and watch it when I have access to tv but some of it is confusing!

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

DJFyrewolf36,
The number of competitors any country can send in any discipline is determined by the placements of the previous years World Championship Competition for each discipline.
I'm not sure of the details, but something about the placements of our competitors, or any countries, gets points and the more points you get the more competitors you can(or maybe it's the less points you get?) send but I think 3 is the maximum, but I'm not positive on that.
Here is some technical info if you can understand it:
http://www.frogsonice.com/skateweb/faq/rules.shtml#Q10

[Grace]

I wonder if any of you can answer this question: Why did they only pick two ladies to go to the olympics and 3 pairs? Did they pick two or three men to go? I really like figure skating and watch it when I have access to tv but some of it is confusing!

I'm guessing Pat knows the exact answer - but it has something to do with the placement of Americans at the last World Championship, I think. If we had an American man in the top 10 we get 3 - otherwise it's fewer.

[DJFyrewolf36]

The link explained it thank you!

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

Gretchen, I'm so bad at the technical stuff and numbers tend to run around in circles in my brain without making a lot of sense.
I'm gathering a first place gets 1 point, 2nd 2 points, and so on.
I provided a link in my previous post that explains it although it took me reading it about 5 times before I started absorbing it.
If we have 2 or 3 competitors in the previous years World Championships, they need to equal 13 points or less in their placements so we can send 3 to Oly's...at least I *think* that's what it's saying. The higher our competitors place in the previous years' Worlds, the less points they garner and the MORE competitors we get to send.
I hope that's right...check out the link to get the REAL explanation.

[Bonny]

The ice skating exposition or gala was fantastic. The person that really left a mark was Ashley. She truly is an artistic & athletic skater. She just blew it away for me. I was watching the ladies contest the other night & fell asleep when Sasha was about to skate so missed her. In between the advertising, letting dogs in & out & phone calls it is hard to catch everyone. I loved to see all the former gold medal winners. What a line up & they all looked to be in good shape. Maybe they still get out there on their blades & scratch up the ice. when know one is looking.

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

Did you see the 10-year-old Novice Mens Champion skate in the gala? He was marvelous!!!

I really enjoyed seeing our past Olympic Gold Medalists come out to be honored. (I shook Kristy's hand in 2004 I think it was)

I so enjoy a beautiful skate done with the music over a technically perfect skate any day. I like Ashley's style, as well as Mirai's, over Rachel Flatt's. I also enjoy Alyssa Cizny and hoped she'd do better in the comp.

If you have Universal Sports channel, keep an eye out for repeats of the competition. I caught the ladies I missed during Sat. nights airing on Sunday evening on that channel. I re-watched Rachel and Mirai skate as well to try to see just why they placed the way they did. The announcers pointed at that many of Mirai's jumps were "cheated"...she was either partially rotated before she left the ice or she landed before making a complete revolution, which downgrades her technical scores.

Like Dick Button said at the top of the comp when asked what would make the winner...He said it wouldn't be who we think should win because they skate a beautiful program, but the person who racks up all the technical points. I'm kind of sick of hearing about points, extra points for jumps after half-way through, level of difficulty, etc.

[RICHARD]

What's the deal with the Kerrigan Family?

Heard that her brother hit the dad and died of a H attack?

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

Richard,
Believe me, if there is any skater I don't follow, it's Kerrigan. I have never been fond of her on the ice or off the ice.
I have no idea what is up with her these days.