USFSA Fantasy Skating Challenge

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The ISU Grand Prix starts next week, which means that it's time for the USFSA Fantasy Skating Challenge!

http://www.usfsa.org/fantasyskating.asp

For each ISU or USFSA competition, they group the competitors/teams into three pools.  Choose which c/t will come out on top in each pool.  

The scoring system is changed this year - they're using the actual skater's total score as the measure, instead of the places or points.  That means if you choose Dice and he rocks the house in one GP event, score-wise, that can overcome someone else's not-so-great score in a different event.  

I never do well because I blindly pick favorites, but I always like to play.  They have prizes after each competition and a final prize at the end of the season.

C'mon in and have some fun!

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One major tip: always check your picks right before the competition starts, just in case the lineup changes.  That way, you don't waste your vote on a skater who didn't make it to the warmup.

[MimiG]

Thanks for the reminder!

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I've never compared scoring across disciplines.  I know men post higher scores than women because of the triple axels and *quads* but do pairs and dance typically post high scores, comparatively?

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Icenetwork has a list of predictions: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111018&content_id=25698548&vkey=ice_news

The new skating magazine blog has step-by-step instructions with graphics!
http://skatingmagazineblog.com/

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Get your picks in today or check your existing picks.  There have been changes in the lineups.

"The picks will close at 8:59 p.m. CT on 10/21/2011"

I reviewed my choices and switched some to match the icenetwork blogger.  I have no idea about dance and only slightly more about pairs.

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I remember a grammar school teacher saying "Never change your test answers unless you're absolutely sure.  Your first response is usually correct."  He was right.  If I hadn't changed my initial picks for Skate America, I would have gotten an extra 3 "winners" correct. 

Currently tied for 188th, but I'm only 48 points behind the leader.  Ah well, there's always Skate Canada later this week.  Maybe I can make up points towards the season-end prize or win the weekly prize.  (Although, I could probably buy a lottery ticket and do better, with my track record.)

Skate Canada picks close soon, don't wait too long to enter.  Be sure to check for last-minute lineup changes.

As an aside, I love some of the player nicknames.

[Skittl1321]

I'm tied for 173rd...  i'm terrible at this game, because I pick the people I WANT to win, rather than the ones I think will.

For example, I don't really think Adam Rippon has a chance against Patrick Chan (especially Chan with a home crowd) but I love his skating, so I can't gamble against him...

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I did that last year and I jinxed all my favorite skaters, lol.  I took a different approach this year, choosing who I *think* can win, based on gossip and pre-season boasting.  If my faves do better than my picks, it's at least a partial "win."

I am reverting (for now) in the SC Mens event.  My current Pool A pick is Daisuke Takahashi over Patrick Chan ... because I prefer Takahashi.  Thinking with my heart, not my head.  I might change it later in the week.  Or not.  I have analysis paralysis today.

My SC dance and pairs picks are, for the most part, "eenie, meenie, minee, moe."  I'm discriminating against the teams that I know are new partners this season.  It's too early in the season (imo) for them to pull off a big placement.  Maybe at a later competition.

[Skittl1321]

I think Takahashi could beat Chan.  He's a known entity, and a great skater.  Rippon is still developing.  But man- if he goes for that quad lutz!

I don't know most of the ice dancers in this event...  I just picked names that sounded like winners   Oh, and Tessa/Scott, no way they aren't winning. 

[Isk8NYC]

I also hope Rippon does well - he's a great skater.  I'm betting on maturity and common sense with Takahashi.  Plus, Dice and his fans have been a little too quiet, so I'm hoping he's keeping his light under a basket to surprise the competition89

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The Cup of China game card is posted on the Fantasy Skating, but I can't select any of the skaters.

I guess it isn't open yet, but entries close early on Friday.

[Skittl1321]

I got killed in the rankings by Skate Canada.  I knew it was going to happen since I didn't pick Chan...

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Dice's finish devasted my chances.  I think the number of players varies from event to event, so I try not to let rank bother me, but I didn't have a chance at the prize this week.

I was able to update my picks for Cup of Russia China though, so I'll give it another try.
(Pairs and Dance are total SWAGs.)

[Skittl1321]

Cup of China....  (not Russia- which I think is Rostelcom Cup now)

Anyhow- I don't know who any of the "C" chinese skaters are.  The only chinese skaters I know are Sui/Han and the Zhangs, who are in the same category and I don't know who to pick!  The Zhangs are great, but they are kind of the old class, and Sui/Han are excellent new class.  I know the names Bingwa Geng and Kexin Zhang (ladies) but don't know which one is better!

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Fixed my typo - I had another window open to look at the russian skaters' ISU profiles and I got mixed up.

I played rock-paper-scissors for two entries, lol.   Just couldn't decide among all of the unknowns.

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Saw this note on the Fantasy Skating Challenge webpage:

The results for Cup of China have been posted. The picks for the NHK Trophy are now OPEN.
*With the late withdrawal of Jinlin Guan, and because there were only two men's C skaters, both were awarded the same amount of points.

Hey - not bad (for me) - I'm tied for 215th / 635 overall! 
I did better than I expected in the Cup of China event (137/502)  Whoo hoo!

Don't forget: you gotta be in it to win it...or just chat about how high/low you ranked, lol.

[Skittl1321]

I'm now at 355.  Better than the 462 after Canada...but I knew that was going to happen!

[MimiG]

Ooh, we're really close! I'm at 352.

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The NHK trophy was a disaster (for me) - 350-something out of 496.  (275/652 overall, thanks to the Cup of China.)

2011 Trophée Eric Bompard is open for entries -good luck everyone!

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Intl Figure Skating reported that Joubert withdrew from this competition.  I don't see him listed on the game card ... perhaps the choices were set after he withdrew.  Check your picks just in case.

[Isk8NYC]

The USFSA Fantasy Skating site has a note that reads:

"The results for Trophee Bompard are posted. We are looking into a possible miscalculation though."

There may be revisions later to your current rankings.

Rostelecom Cup game cards are open for picks!

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Yowza!  USFSA just corrected the ranking and I'm suddenly in the top half.  I jumped like 100 places overall!

[MimiG]

Ooh! Me too!

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Picks are open for the Grand Prix Final - get them in while you can!

(Only two pools to choose from and I knew most of the names.  It was the easiest one, yet!)