This is where we discuss figure skating and skating related items. How did you favourite skaters perform, and so on? However we never speculate on the private lives of skaters, like who might be going out with whom, because that is poison and is not tolerated here. A good guideline is that if it's not publicly announced, in the papers etc. then it's probably best to leave it alone. Is it a gray area? Then write to me and ask.
The Grand Prix Final (GPF) and Junior Grand Prix Final will be held in Nagoya, Japan Dec. 7-10, 2017.
The entries by discipline, rather than by event, can be found by following the links on the ISU GP page linked at the top of this item. There have been several updates since they were originally posted several months ago.
As usual, CBC will be covering all of the events with the exception of Skate Canada International - due to contractual arrangements with Skate Canada (the organization), that will again be covered by CTV/TSN.
I expect to see a new name in the ladies competing in the Cup of China and in the Internationaux de France as it was announced by USFA today that Gracie Gold will not be competing.
Her statement:
It saddens me deeply to sit out this Grand Prix Series, but I know it is for the best. I am currently in treatment for depression, anxiety and an eating disorder. I will not have adequate training time to prepare and compete at the level that I want to. I would like to thank U.S. Figure Skating, my fans and my sponsors for their ongoing support. I also want to thank Marina (Zoueva) and Oleg (Epstein) for standing beside me through this journey and most of all my family for their unconditional love.
How very sad that Gracie was put under tremendous pressure by her federation, the press and perhaps herself to be THE American skater. Wish her the best.
Judy wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2017 8:37 pm
How very sad that Gracie was put under tremendous pressure by her federation, the press and perhaps herself to be THE American skater. Wish her the best.
Sadly, there was also a legal issue related to her physician father that, I'm sure, added to the outside pressure.
Her very name brought her so much press attention, even early in her career - "Gold" had a special significance
I hope she is able to turn her life around, with or without skating in her future.
This is hard to deal with and she apparently has support. I'm no psychologist, but I have read that sometimes it comes from a feeling of loss of control for the person affected & they try to compensate by controlling their eating. They said that was how Karen Carpenter acquired it. They also said that the most dangerous phase is the recovery, because when the patient starts eating again it can be hard on the heart, but the doctors know better now how to treat the disorder.
Every case is different, of course and I really wish the best for Ms Gold. Hopefully the worst is over.
Judy wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2017 8:37 pm
How very sad that Gracie was put under tremendous pressure by her federation, the press and perhaps herself to be THE American skater. Wish her the best.
Sadly, there was also a legal issue related to her physician father that, I'm sure, added to the outside pressure.
Her very name brought her so much press attention, even early in her career - "Gold" had a special significance
I hope she is able to turn her life around, with or without skating in her future.
My heart breaks for Gracie and I wish her all the best in her recovery. One of my close family members suffered from chronic depression for 18 years and so I have an appreciation how difficult it is for people. I hope she doesn't continue in skating if it's not in her best interest as her health is definitely the most important matter. It seems to me that a lot of people have let Gracie down including her father and former coach. It reminds me very strongly of Susan Humprhrey and how things went so wrong for her. She got out of skating as we know and last I heard she is doing very well. There is always hope and for Gracie as well.
"At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.” (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis)
There has been a withdrawal in the men's field at the Internationaux de France (Besseghier of FRA) and one in the men's field at Skate America (Petrov of RUS) - no replacements named yet: http://www.isu.org/docman-documents-lin ... p-men/file
hint, hint.. 