Sochi Scene - Skating Chief Complains of Poor Sightlines; Curling Event Relocated

ISU President Complains of Poor Sightlines

The president of the International Skating Union says seating at the Iceberg Winter Sports Palace offers poor sightlines, the first real criticism from Sochi 2014’s ongoing test event.

"If it causes a problem, this embarrassing situation should be removed," Ottavio Cinquanta was quoted Thursday by RIA Novosti.

He was referring specifically to the second tier of seating, where wide steel bars reportedly block some views of the ice.

"I can't take the responsibility to tell you why they've done this because I don't know," the Italian added, promising to ask Olympics organizers for an explanation.

Competition at the ISU Grand Prix Final started Thursday and runs through Sunday.

"I just hope the arena will be full," Cinquanta told RIA Novosti.

"But you have to understand that to be sold out is one thing and to have the spectators is another."

Russians Lead Test Event

Russian skaters are in commanding positions in all of the competitions taking place at the Grand Prix event.

They lead in three of four events already underway and are second in the fourth.

Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin lead the junior short dance event; Elena Radionova is first in the junior ladies short program and Lina Fedorova/Maxim Miroshkin are currently on top in the pairs competition. Maxim Kovtun is second in the men’s short event.

Sochi 2014 points out that skaters continue their warm reviews of the Iceberg.

"I can’t even describe how exciting it is to skate on the Olympic rink," said Joshua Farris, leading the men’s event. "It’s so inspiring to skate here and I would love to come back."

Kovtun added: "It was really great to skate here. I had big support from the fans, and I really liked the ice surface and arena – everything is gorgeous here."

Radionova said it was an "honor" to skate at the Olympic venue.

"The rink is just great, and it’s worth remembering that not everybody has the opportunity to compete on an Olympic ice rink."

Ski Jump Test Event

RusSki Gorki Jumping Center gets its test event this weekend, hosting a stop on the FIS ski jumping World Cup.

Competition will take place Saturday and Sunday.

It's the first time a test event for women's ski jump will be held following its addition to the program for Sochi 2014.

Curling Event Moved

An event at the Ice Cube Curling Center will now take place in a different city, but curling officials say all is well with the site.

The Cup of Russia, scheduled to take place later this month in Sochi, will happen in either Moscow or Dmitrov.

Russian media say the move was done to allow technicians more time to adequately prepare for the two scheduled test events in February.

"There's no need to panic," Russian curling president Dmitry Svishchev said. "The arena in Sochi is technically ready. All that is left to dois a technical examination. I didn't imagine that a curling venue could be so fantastically well-equipped with first-class facilities."

A Sochi 2014 spokesperson tells Around the Rings the organizing committee is looking in to the matter.

Written by Ed Hula III and Matthew Grayson.

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