Post by Admin on Jul 21, 2020 19:36:14 GMT
The way of the future?
Speaking to the Olympic Channel earlier this week, Brown said he could see the possibility of using virtual, digital-first events in lieu of in-person competitions if the COVID-19 pandemic persists.
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented events,” said the Toronto-based skater, who trains under 1988 Olympic champion Brian Orser alongside two-time Olympic gold medallist Hanyu Yuzuru and 2018 silver medallist Evgenia Medvedeva.
Added Chen, who was fourth at Worlds in 2017: “Depending on how everything pans out, this format could potentially be implemented to other competitions,” she said. “However, I believe that there would have to be a significant amount of trial and error to find what not only works best for everyone, but also the fairest.”
“I do think that for the Grand Prixs it would be ideal for skaters to have the pressure of knowing that they have one shot and one shot only to send in their short and long,” added Brown in regard to no do-overs. “Maybe even designating a specific time and day that a skater needs to ‘compete.’ Also, there would need to be some sort of live part of the event (whether one judge is watching live/virtually).”
The ISU is expected to release its Grand Prix plans – the six Series stops this fall, as well as the scheduled Grand Prix Final in Beijing in December – the first week of August. Earlier this week, the ISU said both the Cup of China and Grand Prix Final were still set to be held despite China cancelling international sporting events for the remainder of the year.
Should that change, the Peggy Fleming Trophy could be one of the first testing grounds for skating to go global without asking skaters to leave their home rinks.
Speaking to the Olympic Channel earlier this week, Brown said he could see the possibility of using virtual, digital-first events in lieu of in-person competitions if the COVID-19 pandemic persists.
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented events,” said the Toronto-based skater, who trains under 1988 Olympic champion Brian Orser alongside two-time Olympic gold medallist Hanyu Yuzuru and 2018 silver medallist Evgenia Medvedeva.
Added Chen, who was fourth at Worlds in 2017: “Depending on how everything pans out, this format could potentially be implemented to other competitions,” she said. “However, I believe that there would have to be a significant amount of trial and error to find what not only works best for everyone, but also the fairest.”
“I do think that for the Grand Prixs it would be ideal for skaters to have the pressure of knowing that they have one shot and one shot only to send in their short and long,” added Brown in regard to no do-overs. “Maybe even designating a specific time and day that a skater needs to ‘compete.’ Also, there would need to be some sort of live part of the event (whether one judge is watching live/virtually).”
The ISU is expected to release its Grand Prix plans – the six Series stops this fall, as well as the scheduled Grand Prix Final in Beijing in December – the first week of August. Earlier this week, the ISU said both the Cup of China and Grand Prix Final were still set to be held despite China cancelling international sporting events for the remainder of the year.
Should that change, the Peggy Fleming Trophy could be one of the first testing grounds for skating to go global without asking skaters to leave their home rinks.