ISU 2019 Worlds - 18-24 March - Saitama, Japan

[Elizabeth]

The link for entries, etc. will eventually be available here: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/even ... teParam=11

CBC Sports will have live stream and TV coverage (all times in ET) per: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/wint ... /broadcast

Live stream -
Tue Mar 19 - 8:00 PM - 2019 World Figure Skating Championships: Pairs Short Program
Wed Mar 20 - 1:55 AM - 2019 World Figure Skating Championships: Ladies Short Program
Wed Mar 20 - 2:30 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Women's and Pairs Short Program [also on TV]
Thu Mar 21 - 1:00 AM - 2019 World Figure Skating Championships: Men's Short Program
Thu Mar 21 - 11:55 AM - 2019 World Figure Skating Championships: Pairs Free Program
Thu Mar 21 - 2:30 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Men's Short Program [also on TV]
Thu Mar 21 - 6:00 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Pairs Free Program [also on TV]
Thu Mar 21 - 9:45 PM - 2019 World Figure Skating Championships: Ice Dance - Rhythm Dance
Fri Mar 22 - 4:30 AM - 2019 World Figure Skating Championships: Ladies Free Program
Fri Mar 22 - 2:30 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Ice Dance - Rhythm Dance [also on TV]
Fri Mar 22 - 6:00 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Women's Free Program [also on TV]
Fri Mar 22 - 11:30 PM - 2019 World Figure Skating Championships: Ice Dance Free Program
Sat Mar 23 - 4:30 AM - 2019 World Figure Skating Championships: Men's Free Program
Sat Mar 23 - 3:00 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Men's Free Program [also on TV]
Sun Mar 24 - 2:00 AM - 2019 World Figure Skating Championships: Gala
Sun Mar 24 - 11:30 AM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Ice Dance Free Dance [also on TV]
Sat Mar 30 4:00 PM Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - The Gala [also on TV]

[Elizabeth]

Some countries have already announced their team members (including alternates) based on the results of their national championships (or other qualifying competitions); some have only announced partial teams awaiting further results (e.g. 4 Continents) or monitoring. That is the case for Canada.

From today's news out of Russia (via Twitter), for example:

Russian Federation will analyze the results of the European Championships and the Russian Cup Final (February 18-22) to make their Worlds team, according to Alexander Gorshkov, the president of the Russian Federation.

Evgenia Medvedeva is returning to Russia to complete in that event in February.

[happyheini]

I will be in Portugal at the time and hope to be able to watch some of it on Eurosport but just in case I will tape till the PVR is full

[Elizabeth]

The draw for countries to have judges at Worlds, by discipline, was held some time ago - here is the result:

[Elizabeth]

To find out more about qualifying ages, technical minimums, entries per country, etc. go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Worl ... mpionships

[Elizabeth]

This was just tweeted by Skate Canada:
WorldFigure update: Skate Canada has added Aurora Cotop & Gabby Daleman to the 2019 ISU World Team

I'm afraid it is a mistake to send Gabby as I'm not sure she is ready and I don't want to see her set back by not performing as well as expected/hoped I hope that I'm wrong and all will go well for her.

An article on the CBC website about the final selections: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/figu ... -1.5029767

[Elizabeth]

Yesterday (February 25th) was the deadline for federations to submit the names to the ISU for Worlds. The entries (and alternates/substitutes) have now been posted, by discipline: http://www.isuresults.com/events/fsevent03111664.htm

The Japanese pairs team of Suzaki & Kihara will not participate in Worlds due to a lack of preparation time as a result of the concussion he sustained before 4CC, which they also withdrew from.

[Elizabeth]

BREAKING NEWS: After the "dust had settled" and they had some time to reflect, the Russian Federation has updated their entries list of ladies for Worlds:
Ladies: Sofia Samodurova, Alina Zagitova, Evgenia Medvedeva
Alternates: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Stanislava Konstantinova

There appear to have been no changes to their other entries lists.

From Jackie Wong:

Per Match TV, in a meeting w 27 members of the coaching council, 19 of them voted for Medvedeva, 7 voted for Tuktamysheva, 1 abstained; no doubt a tough decision but Russia does have a history of using the very latest result as the determining factor

[happyheini]

I too worry about Gabby going to Worlds. Either she will be totally devastated again, or she will rise above and soar. Both are real possibilities I hope for the latter.

[Elizabeth]

The full practice and competition schedule is now available here: http://www.isuresults.com/schedules/WC2 ... hedule.pdf

All times are local:

[Elizabeth]

A preview article from PJ Kwong focused on the Canadians: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/figu ... -1.5034591

[Judy]

All's well here Heini thank you.
Enjoy your time in Portugal.

All fingers and toes crossed that our skaters do well enough to keep at least two in each discipline and of course three in dance for Montreal.

[Elizabeth]

Another change in the entries - this time in ladies - Viveca Lindfors of Finland is out, due to medical reasons, and will be replaced by Emmi Peltonen who was listed as an alternate.

[Elizabeth]

Skate Canada's article on those heading to Worlds to compete next week - 10 entries, 15 skaters: https://skatecanada.ca/2019/03/canadian ... pionships/

[Elizabeth]

Breaking news - Maxim Kovtun RUS has withdrawn due to medical reasons. Andrei Lazukin will replace him.

[kittykins]

This was just tweeted by Skate Canada:
WorldFigure update: Skate Canada has added Aurora Cotop & Gabby Daleman to the 2019 ISU World Team

I'm afraid it is a mistake to send Gabby as I'm not sure she is ready and I don't want to see her set back by not performing as well as expected/hoped I hope that I'm wrong and all will go well for her.

An article on the CBC website about the final selections: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/figu ... -1.5029767

Wow, Skate Canada really showed they have confidence in Gabby! I sure hope that's the ticket to give her the confidence she needs. I'm very impressed that they are willing to give her that chance. I think back to how Liz Manley was treated and think things have sure come a long way since then!

I guess I'll have see how it works with watching it live. If I can watch some early in the actual morning and not 3:00 a.m., it might work, otherwise I'll be watching it on TV in the afternoon/evening I guess.

P.S. Thanks for all the info.

[Elizabeth]

PJ Kwong (who is currently in Abu Dhabi covering the Special Olympics World Summer Games for TSN) has written this preview on Worlds for CBC Sports: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/figu ... -1.5056060

She will be in Saitama next week writing, doing interviews, etc.

[Elizabeth]

Danielle Earl won't be at Worlds this year but she has done her usual time conversion for the times of the actual competition (and the live streaming) - note that EST should read EDT.

[Elizabeth]

A recap of the plans for CBC Sports broadcasting of Worlds FYI.

From: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/wint ... /broadcast

Television

• Wed Mar 20 - 4:00 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Women's and Pairs Short Program [4 p.m. local time zone except 2:30 p.m. NT on CBC Television.]
• Thu Mar 21 - 4:00 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Men's Short Program [4 p.m. local time zone except 2:30 p.m. NT on CBC Television.]
• Thu Mar 21 - 7:00 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Pairs Free Program [7 p.m. local time zone on CBC Television.]
• Fri Mar 22 - 4:00PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Ice Dance - Rhythm Dance [4 p.m. local time zone except 2:30 p.m. NT on CBC Television.]
• Fri Mar 22 - 7:00 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Women's Free Program [7 p.m. local time zone on CBC Television.]
• Sat Mar 23 - 3:00 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Men's Free Program
• Sun Mar 24 - 11:30 AM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - Ice Dance Free Dance [11:30 a.m. ET Ontario-east, 4 p.m. ET Manitoba-west on CBC Television.]
• Sat Mar 30 - 4:00 PM - Road to the Olympic Games: 2019 World Figure Skating Championships - The Gala

At the same link above you will see the times for the live streaming. If you can't watch live, this CBC link is useful - they are usually good about posting the archives within a few hours: https://www.cbc.ca/player/sports/Figure ... Full Shows

[Elizabeth]

The Schedule/Entries/Start Orders link is now available: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/wc2019/

Official practices got underway on Monday (Japan time) - many of the skaters didn't turn up but, for those who did, Jackie Wong has been posting practice notes on Twitter and his website (in terms of jumps performed): https://www.rockerskating.com/news/2019 ... n90bLeZ6PA

The national identity of the technical panel members for each of the disciplines, all of whom represent the ISU in their capacity at Worlds:

• Men: Finland; Ukraine; Japan
• Ladies: Japan; France; Czech Republic
• Pairs: Germany; USA; Russia
• Dance: France; Japan; Russia

[Elizabeth]

The Olympic Channel is also providing information from Saitama - a link to their blog from Monday Day 1 of practices, arrivals, etc. as well as photos: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stori ... e-day-one/

The Tuesday (Day 2) blog with interviews, photos, etc.: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stori ... e-day-two/

[Elizabeth]

I've seen lots of proof about the "enthusiasm" of the Japanese fans, including photos of the crowds attending the first day of practices. This was the line-up waiting to enter the arena before 7 a.m. to watch day two of practices!



And the crowd in their seats for Yuzuru Hanyu's first practice a few moments ago.

[Elizabeth]

The draws were held overnight (our time) and the start orders are now posted for the short programs in pairs and ladies:
Pairs: http://www.isuresults.com/results/seaso ... ta0303.htm
Ladies: http://www.isuresults.com/results/seaso ... ta0203.htm

[kittykins]

Thanks again Elizabeth.

I'm just getting ready for the pairs. I'll watch the canadians and then head to bed so I can get up for Gabby's SP.

These are the approx. times based on my calculations for the canadians.

Walsh & Michaud 10:26 p.m ET
M-T & M 11:48 p.m. ET

Aurora 4:18 a.m. ET
Alaine 5:08 a.m. ET
Gabby 6:32 a.m. ET - first after the warm-up

Well, goodnight and good morning!

[Elizabeth]

The live stream has just begun at: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/figu ... -1.5061826

Saitama is 13 hours ahead of EDT. The links below are the detailed time schedules in local (Saitama) time:
Pairs: http://www.isuresults.com/results/seaso ... me0303.pdf
Ladies: http://www.isuresults.com/results/seaso ... me0203.pdf

CBC wants everyone to watch their Road to the Olympic Games TV coverage (also being streamed)


Spotted the UniWorld group watching the pairs SP Also spotted Jackie Wong in the press seats at the end of the ice - he's busy tweeting