[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Elimating Non-Sports (WAS Defending ice dancing, the ISU and judging)

[Kathryn]

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Andrew MacIan 
  To: HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 4:52 AM
  Subject: Re: [HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Elimating Non-Sports (WAS Defending ice dancing, the ISU and judging)


  Greetings from Andrew!

  "Judge me by my size, do you?"

  --- cindysphynx <cindysphynx at home.com> wrote:
  > Andrew wrote:
  > 
  > Diving and gymnastics can stay, can't they?  Those
  > are *real 
  > sports.*  Actually, gymnasts aren't even regular
  > athletes.  They are 
  > like space aliens who lack proper bones or
  > something.  We *can't* 
  > toss them out of the Olympics.  Besides, we short
  > people have to have 
  > a few sports where we excel, right?  :-)

  As you wish....

  As for short folks, the best (or from my perspective,
  worst!) fencer I ever faced was about 4'9" or so; she
  had next to *zero* target for me to find.  This was
  sabre, and the only way I ever scored on her was with
  point...never edge.  Also the world's strongest man
  (the Olympic champion in middleweight division) is
  only about 5'3" or so, and he lifts about three times
  his own body-mass.

  As a short, and out of practice, fencer myself, I can tell you that providing a smaller target notwithstanding a short fencer generally has to be a lot more skilful and faster than you tall guys to do as well (which is probably why the fencer you fenced was so good, anyone who gets beyond the beginning stage has to be or give up out of frustration). Do you have any idea how annoying it is to be close enough to your opponent that they can hit you without stretching but a full lunge from you still won't hit them?!?  
  And I'm 5'3", I can only imagine how fast your opponent must have been. I'm talking about foil here since they won't let us girls fight sabre, or they wouldn't when I was fencing

  > Figure skating (even ice dancing) is probably here
  > to stay.  So maybe 
  > they will make one small reform for me.  I'd like to
  > see a round 
  > called "Costume Approval."  Men would be directed to
  > steer away from 
  > the flashy, sequin-covered outfits that have become
  > way too popular.  
  > Rolled up sleeves are good and will receive higher
  > marks from the 
  > judges; plunging necklines will generate substantial
  > deductions.  
  > Under this system, Alexi Urmanov, who wore the Puffy
  > Shirt from 
  > Seinfeld, would have been sent home before he ever
  > set foot on the 
  > ice. 

  Actually they do deduct points for inappropriate costumes (apparently), not many though.
  Robin Cousins was mentioning it tonight, also men are forbidden from wearing tights (thank god) and women must wear a skirt
  > 
  K


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