World Figure Skating

Figure skating: Kozuka to appear in Grand Prix opener, Ando officially out

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- World silver medalist Takahiko Kozuka will appear in the opener of the new Grand Prix season, the International Skating Union announced Monday.

World champion Miki Ando did not enter in the six-legged series as expected. The top six skaters qualify for the Dec. 8-11 Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, Canada.

Kozuka will feature in Skate America from Oct. 21 to 23 and the NHK Trophy in Sapporo from Nov. 11 to 13. Daisuke Takahashi, the 2010 world champion, has entered for Skate Canada (Oct. 28-30) and the NHK Trophy, while Nobunari Oda is in for the Cup of China (Nov. 4-6) and the Trophee Bompard (Nov. 18-20).

Mao Asada is set to compete in the NHK Trophy and the Cup of Russia (Nov. 25-27), the sixth and final event. Kanako Murakami will skate in the Cup of China and the Trophee Bompard.

One Flew Over the Officials' Nest - World Figure Skating

The work of the system can be perfectly seen in the Rachael Flatt’s example. Recently, she was fined and reprimanded because she did not report in time about her injury. At the same time officials, as usually, refer to the rules. Of course! After all, they created them! And set up just for their machine and its mechanisms which must work properly! “I've watched her get more and more skilful over the years. Practice has steadied and strengthened her until now she wields a sure power that extends in all directions on hairlike wires so small for anybody's eye but mine, I see her sit in the centre of this web of wires like a watchful robot, tend her network with mechanical insect skill, know every second which wire runs where and just what current to send up to get the results she wants. The Combine thus made an unprecedented gesture to all athletes - we are your guides, do not forget about it. Well, of course. After all, the Combine could theoretically replace a broken item and the production process could go on and bring the desired result at Worlds. Officials are interested only in result. They are not interested in the beauty of sports, skaters’ opinions, and fans. No, just results! I have a professional experience in physical therapy and I know very well that Rachael’s injury is very tricky. It can stop producing their symptoms during the general treatment and it seems that everything is practically OK. But it could get worse at any moment, especially in stressful situations. World championships are stressful for any athlete, even the most titled. The most interesting is that a lot of skaters have injuries. But officials decided to show their new activity in this case and with this skater. They have found a new way to remind all athletes that their opinion is secondary, and the most importantly - a common result of the Combine. After the decision of officials instantly were engaged in the work smaller cogs of the machine - some related with this Combine journalists. And they could not be disconnected because they are the part of the Combine and they must be clearly understood that they are totally dependent on the host machine. They gave these news as a sensation and explained in details why skaters should follow the rules. “What she dreams of there in the centre of those wires is a world of precision efficiency and tidiness like a pocket watch with a glass back, a place where the schedule is unbreakable . . .

World Figure Skating Championships by Year, World Figure Skating Championships, 2009 World Figure Skating Championships

World Figure Skating Championships, World Figure Skating Championships

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