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Post by Laura (Lori) on Oct 29, 2011 17:44:25 GMT -8
After the Men's 1500M(2) Final in Salt Lake City, I've heard a lot of whisperings about Team Skating - well, let's discuss it! Here's my opinion, and let the chips fall where they may... I'm kind'a 'done' with getting upset about team skating. People fuss about it all the time, but the only time I've ever seen it called by a referee was (surprisingly enough) against the USA based on a 'pat on the butt' from Apolo Ohno to J.R. Celski.  The system is set up as fairly as possible in the early rounds - you don’t see 2 skaters from the same country until you reach the Finals (or when it’s unavoidable, the Semifinals). Hey, if your country is freakin' good enough to have 2 or 3 skaters in an A Final, "More power to ya!". You deserve a medal. As a fan, I think it makes it just that much more exciting when the 'Underdog' beats the odds and wins! Team skating is difficult to prove, and as I've gotten to know the sport better, I've come to accept it. I don’t hear the skaters complaining about it, so I can only assume that they’ve come to accept it as well. I think it’s only the fans who are fussing - the skaters seem to have adjusted to the new paradigms, and have (or will) develop tactics to deal with it. Case in point: J.R. Celski called his race against 2 determined Koreans a ‘lesson’ - he didn't complain, he just learned from it. And I truly believe that he will pass his next test with flying colors. If you're good enough to get into an A Final, you 'get it'. Team skating (or more correctly, an ‘assist’) is not likely to be called, and when we fuss about it, it just sounds like an excuse for failure - blame it on the Koreans, blame it on the Ref, blame it on team skating, blame it on the temperature in the rink, blah, blah, blah… there are plenty of success stories out there, which proves that the skaters - from many different countries - are learning to play that mental ‘Away Game’ when they’re outnumbered. It seems like skaters from all corners of the globe are getting stronger, both mentally and physically - I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if advances in agility, skill, strength and the mental game will soon make ‘team skating’ a rather archaic tactic… Bottom line: The best skaters still find a way to win. |
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Post by dose on Oct 29, 2011 18:34:06 GMT -8
OK! I have many words to want to say! Yesterday I wrote a post in World Cup 1. Did you see? It's about World Cup 1. www.therockerforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=trips&action=display&thread=820&page=11Do not know how you feel? Afraid of too many words and my feel, you do not like. My writing was not good due to time constraint. Because the World Cup 2 will begin. finally I hadn't checked my writing. Maybe it has many syntax errors. After, I also will add my some thoughts. |
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Oct 29, 2011 18:50:59 GMT -8
Yes, I saw your post, dose! I appreciate your contributions to this forum, and I love your positive attitude toward every country!  Based on comments I've gotten from many members, both publicly and privately, I think that the Team Skating issue is an interesting subject - I'd really like to hear everyone's opinions about this! ;D |
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