Skating news
The World Figure Skating Championships will be held in Moscow in late April since Tokyo obviously had to bow out. At first it seemed they'd have to cancel, but Mother Russia has offered to pay for the whole shebang. Look for a lot of Russian teams to do well at this event! (Politics and currying favour is alive and well, even with the new judging system.) But to be fair, there are also some strong Russian teams.
Worlds hasn't been cancelled since 1961 when the entire US team -- skaters, coaches, officials and family members -- were killed in a plane crash enroute to the event. I'm glad the event is going on, and I agree with Alissa Czisny's thoughtful comments on the situation. The tragedy in Japan is unimaginable, but the world has not stopped turning, and we all go on with our jobs and lives. I don't think it's disrespectful to hold the competition in another venue.
I'll be curious to see how Stars on Ice fills the void of amateur skaters who were set to go on tour in April, but at least they're letting them out of their contracts. I'll be sad to miss seeing Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, but oh well. Will be cheering them on in Moscow!
Worlds hasn't been cancelled since 1961 when the entire US team -- skaters, coaches, officials and family members -- were killed in a plane crash enroute to the event. I'm glad the event is going on, and I agree with Alissa Czisny's thoughtful comments on the situation. The tragedy in Japan is unimaginable, but the world has not stopped turning, and we all go on with our jobs and lives. I don't think it's disrespectful to hold the competition in another venue.
I'll be curious to see how Stars on Ice fills the void of amateur skaters who were set to go on tour in April, but at least they're letting them out of their contracts. I'll be sad to miss seeing Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, but oh well. Will be cheering them on in Moscow!