Figure skating

I watched the mens world figure skating championships today. It was good fun, but I was suprised how it didn't feel like as big a deal as it normally does. I only found out when they were showing highlights yesterday on Eurosport. Another part of me cringed when I realised very few of the 'big' names were there to compete (for the mens). The commentators said that had to do with many taking a break after the Olympics. I wonder why they would still choose to hold the events so close together then? It's like how the world cup for ice hockey is always held during the Stanley Cup.