Photos and Articles March 2010

[freefall]

Mar 8, 2010 23:20:13 GMT 1 stephanie2006 said:

Le matin newspaper from today featuring a huuuuge picture
"J'envisage de continuer les spectacles"
img94.imageshack.us/img94/1852/lematin.jpg

Thank you very much, stephanie2006! Can anybody please provide a translation?

[Sally IV]

Mar 8, 2010 18:08:09 GMT 1 elanor said:

Given his popularity in Switzerland he might have his own show one day. Depends on the market. I wouldn't worry that much about his future.

Funny, for some reason I've been thinking a lot about ... of all people ... Scott Hamilton's post '84 Sarajevo career. He cried at the time because he wanted so badly to keep skating and he wasn't getting the sort of signal from the show circuit that indicated his continued skating career at a level befitting a gold medallist. So he created his own path for himself, and if ever there was a Barnum of FS he is it, a natural promoter. When he joined forces with Yamaguchi, with Kurt Browning changing his career track, the pro scene hit its high mark.

Now Stephane, in many ways the perfect foil for Hamilton, is a highly desirable "Talent" for the exhibition circuit, and in demand. But I think he could learn from Hamilton the Entrepreneur. A creative mind like Stephane's naturally can't help imagining how HE would put on shows, as he has already mused out loud. But it takes more than a creative mind to run such enterprises. Compare John Curry (Lori Nichol was one of his troupe members) and Scott Hamilton. But whereas Curry had known personality conflict issues with his colleagues, I don't think that would be Stephane's problem. And while Hamilton's Stars On Ice has seen better days (in the U.S.), and I don't advocate copying this model, I do feel that there are valuable lessons to be gleaned from Hamilton & SOI. I'd sure love to see Stephane get his own show, and an international one, one day.

There is this next *pro wave* energy in the air, like in the mid-90's. And with so many talents eyeing the exit from the competitive circuit right now, and with the FS thriving in newer markets, I HOPE for a healthy pro scene post-Vancouver, with new driving forces and new shows. I'd particularly love to see Art On Ice branch out into more regions, like Asia and the Americas. It is a unique show, and I can see it happening in some key cities in Asia and in the Americas. There are niches it can fit into, outside Europe, with proper planning and marketing. I'd sure love to see it happen in America. Palm Beach and Aspen come to mind, as well as some cities below the U.S. border.

American shows are a bit different but I don't see much success for him there anyway. He's not American type of personality, too sophistacted and artsy, not mainstream like Lysacek, or arrogant champ like Plushenko or pseudo-controversial star selling himself to the media a la Johnny Weir. But it would be nice if skating shows regain some popularity in NA, even if they are pure cheese.

I do agree that American shows as we've known them in the past are different. But then again, the formula has grown rather staid and is suffering from it right now, isn't it? I think Lysacek will fit into the existing scene (basically Stars On Ice) fine, and perhaps help its sagging popularity. He seems to be getting the push at home as The Artist that saved the men's FS from the tyranny of quads. There are only a few slots for singles men there, and I don't see Johnny Weir (although he has expressed his wishes to exhibit more at home) getting picked up. I have a hunch that SOI will keep its distance from him, whom they may see as too controversial (cough) or whatever. I think Johnny may actually emerge as the next Scott Hamilton for the U.S. scene, with his nose for marketing and publicity. And he's in tune with the younger crowd's sensibilities, with SOI looking somewhat like Ice Capades and Disney On Ice of young Scott Hamilton's days. Johnny does have a shrewd head, and he knows the meaning of self-promotion.

While I don't think the existing model will be a good fit for Stephane, artsy and sophisticated and original, I want to speak up for those Americans who WANT EXACTLY THAT in a show. There are many Americas in this huge land of U.S.A., and I hope that those who want non-dumbed down, non-cheesy shows get something too. When Scott Hamilton started his SOI he didn't pick and choose what venues, and it wasn't always huge arenas, but he had a vision and he made it happen. I admire that about him. There are artsy, sophisticated enclaves that would appreciate the out of the ordinary, the ambitious, the more sophisticated, adult alternative to the regular fare that we've been getting for decades. I've also thought it patronizing and dismissive on the part of FS marketers that whenever they target the youth-audience they get so kiddie and cutesy. Or laugh out loud pseudo-hip. The youth market is more sophisticated and discriminating than is generally believed by the FS marketers, and what they need to do to attract them is to respect them and take off the dork helmet. With the "Champions on Ice" (which wouldn't sign Scott Hamilton at the end of his amateur days) gone, and with only "Stars on Ice" on the scene, the market is crying out for some fresh new force, or at least an alternative. If America stands for anything, it is the worship of the NEW, the IMPROVED, and selection CHOICE in the marketplace. Right now there is no choice.

I don't say this to denigrate SOI. For as long as it's been around, in fact, I've always preferred it to COI. I've long idolized Yamaguchi, Browning, as well as deeply respected many of its stars. But it is a lone U.S. flagship at the moment. And the brand has lost some of its luster, and looks tired at the moment, although there is the Lysacek factor. Plus, they with their laser focus on the proven market, they haven't worked on increasing their base, concentrating on retention. America the beautifully capitalistic nation thrives on market competition, and I wouldn't mind variety and choice in FS shows.

I wonder what would grow in this current soil?
Some of us fans don't feel that we left the FS shows, but that it's left us.
If Johnny Weir or some other force targets the non-SOI-targets, carves out a separate niche, and give people a real alternative to SOI, then it will get interesting. And the market will only grow, as it won't really be taking away from SOI audience. Besides, I've had no problem attending both COI and SOI in the past, and the only thing that kept me away in the recent years was the lack of excitement and inspired staging.


Good luck, Stephane!
Please do not write off the U.S. audience.
Just exercise good judgment which invitations and engagements to accept.

Do not compromise your artistic integrity to suit what you think would go over well in U.S. Stay true to yourself. This way you cannot lose. Your brand of skating is unique and memorable. Don't change.



-- S4

[elanor]

Mar 9, 2010 10:04:10 GMT 1 thalassa said:

But maybe he just signed this contract for the Thin Ice Show because ot the readson that he will be excluded for competitions...So nobody can force him to go to EC or oder competitions, he will have his freedom for 2 years and a lot of time to think it all over... He doesn't have to explain himself, it's just the fact that he is not allowed to compete... clever boy, isn't he?
But nevertheless I am bloody sad about it...

Maybe it was like that but now it looks more serious thing because he closed many opportunities for himself by ISU taking away his status. They are morons but skaters need to play their game.

news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100309/sp_wl_afp/fskatesuilambiel_20100309102223

I don't recall them to punish any skater by banning or taking their status in recent times and they don't really officially retire anymore so I don't know what it actually means for a skater. Is he excluded from any events even something like Japan Open or an exhibition? It would be a shame and big loss. Maybe someone knows more about it? I hope they know what they are doing.

Reality TV is not real skating, he's too good for it other than occasionaly. I hope it's not everything left for him apart from Swiss shows and waiting that Yuna will invite him to skate in Korea.

He even didn't say proper goodbye to his fans and might never will.

I'm a bit confused right now, expect it will look better.

[freefall]

I still hope an official announcement will come up on his official site soon. He used to inform his fans about his decisions right after they were made so I am confused this time we learn that from his agent and some articles but not from his official website

[Sally IV]

ISU sure likes to shoot itself in its foot!

I still remember how they discouraged Eldredge and Kwan after '98, with their "active rest" prescription. That went down real well for ISU's popularity among the fans. And I didn't blame Kulik for going his own way then either. And I remember Kurt Browning getting denied his exhibition skate too.

Whatever.
This pro/amateur distinction thing ... it still exists?
That's pretty funny.

I'm not that bothered by it because if Stephane wants back in 2 years he can. And I doubt that Stephane and the Swiss federation were unaware of this ISU rule. From where I sit, it looks like it was Stephane's informed decision and not theirs, however it gets spun. As long as this is what Stephane wants, I am satisfied. And I hope that is the case.



-- S4

[kadri]

ok, so now i'm also beginning to get very confused about which events are still allowed for him and which not....i mean are there now also some restrictions to what galas he can perform at? seeing as ISU approves most of them? i think? this is kinda confusing

[Sally IV]

He is ineligible (thought this term had become quaint ... ) for 2 years for any ISU competitions.


-- S4

[kadri]

so this applies to only to competitions that are held by ISU? cause i think ISU also has to sanction shows and galas and stuff, no?
so basically he can't compete but he can still skate at whatever galas he's invited to? i must sound like such a dummy right now

[elanor]

Mar 9, 2010 16:14:46 GMT 1 kadri said:

so this applies to only to competitions that are held by ISU? cause i think ISU also has to sanction shows and galas and stuff, no?
so basically he can't compete but he can still skate at whatever galas he's invited to? i must sound like such a dummy right now

No, you are not. It really is confusing, the rules come from different times and weren't much applied lately. Theoretically, they coudn't do shows either without a permission but they do now (no idea if any of them need ISU sanction so eligible skaters can perform). What about exhibitions at ISU events like he did last years? No, I guess. And off-season competitions like Japanese ones and similar? They would be the best for Stephane, he could do his programs without too much physical overload. It potentially means many opportunities and financial support lost. Apart from the American and Canadian show ther's no really a pro competition I know of he could do. Is one TV show worth it? I hope so.
That's probably why skaters don't want to give up voluntarily their ISU status. Plushenko is still amateur (but he's heading for Sochi ;D).

[Sally IV]

ISU likes to flex its muscles now and then very publicly, with the more popular skaters. Especially after Olympics. Ever hungry for as much control and influence, they sanction some non-competition events and some not, and use it as carrots and sticks. The catch is that sometimes it backfires on them, with the popular skater in question balking.

As far as I know, they only have the power to keep a skater from competing in their own competitions, with the ISU judges. I do not believe they have the power to keep a skater from being invited or performing in non-competition events, whether ISU approved or not. An ISU sanctioned non-competition event means that the *eligible* skaters who participate in it remain in ISU's good graces, with the *ineligible* participants still retaining their ineligibility, until they serve out their sentence. And probably not feeling as contrite as ISU would like them to feel.



-- S4

[elanor]

So it would mean only chosen shows and TV cheesafest (never watch these since the level went below any expectations). Doesn't look like too many chances to watch Stephane in high quality performance on TV for people who don't have any chance to go to shows . 2 years is a very long time for a skater with physical limitations. I'm trying not to get depressed yet. Maybe they won't be that hard on him, but everybody knows ISU are hopless.

[PureMorning]

Mar 8, 2010 13:37:23 GMT 1 freefall said:

Thank you for the news, honzule!

Well, it is over now. And I really don't know how I feel about this - glad or sad, joy and sadness are mixed inside me now.

I was away from the board yesterday and I just read the news now Well, I can't say I'm totally surprised, I haven't been following him so closely for the past years but I still realised that he is enjoying more skating in galas then in competitions, and if that's what makes him satisfied enough to continue figure skating, we couldn't ask for something more. I am just so happy that I discovered him again in Vancouver and that he chose such beautiful programmes to end his competitive career.

I would've been in mourning and a lot sadder if I hadn't discover this amazing thing called galas(Art on Ice, Fiesta on Ice, World's best on Ice, call it however you want) where you can still admire his skill and uniqueness without the restrictions and dullness of being judged and having to obey so many rules.

Thank you dear Stephane, for everything you did and everything that you do in the future. Thank you for sharing your out of this world talent with us

[PureMorning]

Just read all the controversy about him being declared ineligible...stupid rules strike again i guess
I hope it really is what he wanted and i hope they won't be able to prevent him from competing in the future, if he will ever wish to do so again. It would be sheer stupidity otherwise.

[Sally IV]

Mar 9, 2010 17:52:42 GMT 1 elanor said:

So it would be mean only chosen shows and TV cheesafest (never watch these since the level went below any expectations).

Not necessarily. (I've stopped watching them myself. zzzz .... )

He can perform in ISU-sanctioned events, if invited. They are not necessarily organized by ISU. Stephane is only outright prohibited from competing or performing exhibitions in ISU competitions. That's all that it is.

Whatever shows he's in, I'm watching. I sure do hope that he thinks long and hard before accepting pseudo-competitions with the script already written to prop up some predetermined winner ... unless the *patsy* fee is sufficiently worth it. I'm thinking Michael Caine and Jaws [some roman numeral]. But unless in dire financial straits, I wouldn't take it for less than 7 figures, and even then I'd hold my nose. There could also be quality events with so many high caliber skaters floating around now ... it isn't inconceivable. But yeah, I'm leery of the cheesy events on TV here. I doubt he'd go for these.

Doesn't look like too many chances to watch Stephane in high quality performance on TV for people who don't have any chance to go to shows . 2 years is a very long time for a skater with physical limitations.

But looking at it from a more optimistic vantage point, 2 years is a long enough time to recover from, or to adjust to, the stress factors that's posed challenges in the past, and to tweak his technique. And develop killer competition programs, to be kept under wraps until needed, perhaps one day. I trust in Stephane's good taste and good judgment.

I'm trying not to get depressed yet. Maybe they won't be that hard on him, but everybody knows ISU are hopless.

The way it looks now, I think the issue is settled between the parties. Chin up, please, at least for now. I remember some ISU judged *pro-am* competitions in the past, with a mix of eligibles and ineligibles, and some great performances. What the pro scene could use are some high quality competitions, although most of the times they seem pre-scripted. I think the landscape will change for the better in the non-eligible circuit, although I'm not sure it would happen in the short 2 year period. It could not get any worse than now! I hope there will be some high quality OPEN competitions, with serious judging. I can dream ... I'm going to put my hopes in various skaters' sense of mission and enterprising spirit, and cooperation among themselves.



-- S4

[kadri]

thanks for the explanations, elanor and Sally! i really don't get ISU's need for such strictness. but i guess they just want to show their power. whatever. i'm sure Stephane made that decision after long enough contemplation and he knows what he's in for