This week, Coach A, a friend and I were discussing "point scoring" for want of a better phrase - the changes to scoring in competition that means almost every program you watch these days is virtually the same. The need to include ever more rotations in jumps, and certain elements to rack up the points means you often feel you're watching the same routine over and over. With that in mind, is it any wonder figure skating no longer draws the audiences it used to?
Ryan Stevens, a blogger in Canada, has written a brilliant article looking at this very issue, which I really enjoyed reading this morning with my Frosties and cuppa. You can find it here: The Lost Art of Jumping on Skateguard Happy reading!
I agree that the IJS judging system devalues the artistry of the sport. Skaters (myself included) are so worried about gaining levels and +GOE that the beauty of skating gets diminished. The levels/features in spins usually make the positions look unnatural or even ugly...
ReplyDeleteTrue story. I think that's why I'd rather go and watch a gala exhibition than the actual competition.
DeleteI totally agree, just a shame that everyone follows suit and plays the game. Maybe there should be a greater emphasis on the artistry and steps and linking movements being performed well, 'with flow' for want of a better phrase. I do think lots of people focus on doing steps and spins etc that are so squeezed out that even at Europeans in Sheffield the other year, some skaters practically stopped cause they wanted to squeeze in those extra revolutions in their spin to crank it up a level...
ReplyDeleteMaybe there's an argument for not playing by the rules of someone else's game, and start making our own :-)
Absolutely. It almost feels like there's little point in choosing music to skate to and costumes etc because you're just virtually going to do the same jumps,spins etc as everyone else anyway, and any musicality is lost through, like you say, having to squeeze in those extra steps or rotations.
DeleteThere are some skaters who can maintain the artistry even in the current system, but yes, some of the most interesting skating is being done in other contexts like shows. Ice Theatre of New York has some pieces that are truly choreographically interesting.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen anything of theirs...I wonder if YouTube can enlighten me....
Delete