Comments on Flutzing Around: A Figure Skating Blog by Tony Wheeler: ISU Championship Direct Entries: Skater or Country...

I think using Euros and 4CC for skating at Worlds ...

2011-04-26T18:24:47.077-04:00

I think using Euros and 4CC for skating at Worlds is a silly idea.
What is if a skater is not in form or injured at Euros, but is usually good enough for a top 20 place at worlds? Two days of competition shouldnt decide the entire season! The skaters must rech already a minimum technical score since this season to compete at ISU Championaships, why do you want to make it even harder for the skaters from smaller federations? Every country should hav the right to send at last one skater per discipline to Worlds! I thought the problem was why Kozuka and Brezina skated the qualifying, why do you want to exclude the obscure skaters from competition now?

Anon 11:22, are you serious? Or just ignorant? Bre...

2011-04-26T11:55:14.602-04:00

Anon 11:22, are you serious? Or just ignorant? Brezina suffered from medical problems (affecting his performance at Nebelhorn) and had to have abdominal surgery this past fall, causing him to miss the Grand Prix season. That's a huge points hit. I'm not sure he was fully recovered at Euros. He had a fantastic season last year, and certainly he's the only reason that there are two Czech entries.

Kozuka has had a very good season other than the SP at 4CC, and I've no idea why he's ranked behind Nobu.

I agree with having a minimum season's best sc...

2011-04-26T11:41:15.273-04:00

I agree with having a minimum season's best score, at an event such as Europeans or 4CC.

I like the system as it is. A better question woul...

2011-04-26T11:22:48.782-04:00

I like the system as it is. A better question would be to ask why Brezina and Kozuka have lower world rankings than inferior skaters from their country? Maybe they will start taking their entire year more seriously

Why not have EVERYONE skate in a qualifying round ...

2011-04-26T11:04:40.553-04:00

Why not have EVERYONE skate in a qualifying round (that way it's fair)...but have it be a short program instead of long. Way less tiring. OR have a minimum seasons best score in order to qualify for skating at worlds?

It's good to have you back, Tony! I think th...

2011-04-26T03:34:54.629-04:00

It's good to have you back, Tony!

I think the problem is the QR itself, not who gets direct entries and who doesn't (though it does seem particularly unfair to make Kozuka and Brezina do it). I know it's a cost-cutting measure, but it's unfair for some skaters to have to skate an extra program, no matter what their ranking is. Either make everyone do it, or find another way to do qualifying for Worlds (e.g. using Euros and 4CC as qualifiers, for instance).