The Future of Figure Skating

It’s an exciting time for synchronized skating, with the news in July that the sport - or at least the Synchro 9 variation - will be added to the 2030 Olympics. To talk about all things synchro, my guest today is Sabrina Snoad, co-host of the Synchro Skaters Club podcast. She joined me for an episode that is one part “Synchro 101” (for this figure skating fan), and one part a discussion of the future of the sport, and the changes, good and bad, that being in the Olympics could bring. 

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cMJUIPuoEC7IyB5pXc1q4dZKUUkKQ-ozDvr6bTmlZqE/edit?usp=sharing

Links:
Synchro Skaters Club:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3lvq8IvjB9us1vz83p1kVw

Episode with Synchro 9 pioneers:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Q0TILPhgJYbETmPwqzrDl?si=bba31e37dee34dbe

Episode on Body Image:
“Love thy Body, Part 1”
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DAxmJthOCRucNKgVjdx7h?si=mr4aSSV0QlOktm8oVQQCgw

“Love thy Body, Part 2 with Marta Pietrasik” 
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Hxk6dv81A6pjRjA8GVLl5

ISU Synchro Coverage: Blades in Harmony - Ep 1 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HM_W1eNL74&list=PLuiPiC1Hk8eIbRWrx0V-hec6Llr5iVLjA

Programs:
Synchro 9 Finland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmO3Hx-2B0Y

Synchro 9 USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub51UhI_yv0

Nexxice
Short 2022 “Man I Feel Like a Woman”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB1lw_-SAWY

Team Unique 
Short 2019/2020 “Bad Guy”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX5-7Lr1qiY

Demonstrating Intersection and Death Spirals
Helsinki Rockettes
2024-2025 FS at Worlds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eISCw4iP4ac

You can reach me with comments or suggestions for topics and people I should talk to, by email at fsfuturepodcast@gmail.com or Instagram @futurefspodcast 

 You can also support the podcast by making a one-time or recurring contribution at Ko-Fi.com/futureoffigureskating.

Remember to subscribe to The Future of Figure Skating on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with your friends!

Jae Youl Kim was reelected as president of the International Skating Union at the federation's Congress which wrapped up Friday in Tenerife, Spain. In this exclusive interview, he talks about athlete compensation and the comments by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, as well as how the ISU leadership will try to communicate better and avoid misunderstandings with athletes and coaches when changes are introduced.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Uvlq38wP3jrIpULakm7XjQRoF-e_4m0f1BZJZbjXV00/edit?tab=t.0

YouTube:

You can follow more about the ISU Congress in the daily reports and live-tweeting at AnythingGOEs

You can reach me at fsfuturepodcast @gmail.com or on Instagram @ futurefspodcast. You can support my work at ko-fi.com/futureoffigureskating. Thanks for liking and subscribing!

Tatsuro Matsumura is a current member of the ISU Council, having served in that role since 2018. He was a competitive ice dancer and coach, before working with the Japanese Skating Federation and Japanese Olympic Committee. 

The International Skating Union's Congress is being held from June 10th through 12th, and at this meeting, member federations of the ISU will vote on office holders, including the President, the Vice Presidents, the Council, and members of the various committees that help to govern the sport. The ISU president, Jae Youl Kim, is running for re-election unopposed.

However, the Vice President for Figure Skating is a contested position, with four candidates running, including the incumbent Benoit Lavoie. Eleven candidates are running for the ISU council positions for figure skating. Five positions will be elected at Congress. The Future Figure Skating podcast is featuring interviews with as many candidates for the VP and Council positions as possible in the lead up to the ISU Congress.

Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/SB_ZPFqd4aQ

Transcript:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yzFwfZCMT3e6VglLGzjSs6mdYIDZCxusqukeyI60YyA/edit?tab=t.0
My writing about the ISU's rule change proposals:
https://anythinggoe.com/bigchangesfromisu/

 Make sure you check out the other candidate interviews on YouTube. You can reach me at fsfuturepodcast at http://gmail.com or on Instagram @ futurefspodcast. You can support my work at http://ko-fi.com/futureoffigureskating. Thanks for liking and subscribing.

Jimmy Stryhn Meyer is a candidate for the ISU Council. He is the president of the Luxembourg Figure Skating Federation, and is also president of the Staff Committee at the European Court of Justice.
The International Skating Union's Congress is being held from June 10th through 12th, and at this meeting, member federations of the ISU will vote on office holders, including the President, the Vice Presidents, the Council, and members of the various committees that help to govern the sport. The ISU president, Jae Youl Kim, is running for re-election unopposed.

However, the Vice President for Figure Skating is a contested position, with four candidates running, including the incumbent Benoit Lavoie. Eleven candidates are running for the ISU council positions for figure skating. Five positions will be elected at Congress. The Future Figure Skating podcast is featuring interviews with as many candidates for the VP and Council positions as possible in the lead up to the ISU Congress.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RTEYFK_X0tOun-KPf7v4977OJF7MK_VkX89tRAiqlwc

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/9qvTVP1F9VI

My writing about the ISU's rule change proposals:
https://anythinggoe.com/bigchangesfromisu/

 Make sure you check out the other candidate interviews on YouTube. You can reach me at fsfuturepodcast at http://gmail.com or on Instagram @ futurefspodcast. You can support my work at http://ko-fi.com/futureoffigureskating. Thanks for liking and subscribing.

Oleksandr Volkov is a board member of the Ukrainian Figure Skating Federation, and a lawyer specializing in cross-border litigation, international arbitration and sports and esports law. He spoke to me from his office in Kiev, and had to relocate to the basement mid-interview when Russian bombing began. 

The International Skating Union's Congress is being held from June 10th through 12th, and at this meeting, member federations of the ISU will vote on office holders, including the President, the Vice Presidents, the Council, and members of the various committees that help to govern the sport. The ISU president, Jae Youl Kim, is running for re-election unopposed.

However, the Vice President for Figure Skating is a contested position, with four candidates running, including the incumbent Benoit Lavoie. Eleven candidates are running for the ISU council positions for figure skating. Five positions will be elected at Congress. The Future Figure Skating podcast is featuring interviews with as many candidates for the VP and Council positions as possible in the lead up to the ISU Congress.

Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/l5HrkLHP2cw

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-nVU-KMVLmqRdpE56PZAuxgqOh8SPS72-147XG6sGUs/edit?tab=t.0

My writing about the ISU's rule change proposals:
https://anythinggoe.com/bigchangesfromisu/

 Make sure you check out the other candidate interviews on YouTube. You can reach me at fsfuturepodcast at http://gmail.com or on Instagram @ futurefspodcast. You can support my work at http://ko-fi.com/futureoffigureskating. Thanks for liking and subscribing.