On the day I arrived in this wonderful piece of Canada for the first time, I remember asking the question 'what's the best time to visit Quebec City?'
'Any time,' answered the friendly volunteer who brought me to the historic Chateau Frontenac from Jean Lesage Airport, and then back again this morning.
I believe it now, and with all of my heart.
It is always a treat to spend time at a major figure skating competition, and around a group of athletes who do their best to make your time worthwhile. Even better when it's accompanied by the opportunity to discover what makes this land of ours so great.
I have often let it be known that Halifax is one of my favourite cities to visit in Canada. Quite obviously, after a few days here, Quebec City now belongs near the top of that list.
The oldest city in our country is every bit as beautiful as the pictures many of us have seen. The history here is preserved with great care by people who ooze pride about their astounding city. And with good reason, I might add.
While I will spend time, now that I've returned to Ottawa, speaking about the postcard-like beauty I've seen, and the food and hospitality I enjoyed at a grand old hotel that is nothing short of fabulous, that won't be my best and most lasting memory.
Quebec City is filled with so many people with a zest for life that bursts out with each 'bonjour!' you hear at every turn. There is a special sincerity in the tone, something that tells you these people don't just say it, they mean it. That you are most welcome to be a guest in the city they call home.
In 2008, Quebec City celebrates its 400th birthday, and a year-long celebration is being planned. I can only imagine what a festival it will be. With any luck, I will get the chance to be a part of it.
I've often heard the phrase joie de vivre used to describe the Quebecois, and I believe I can truly say now that I know what it means. And, at the risk of sounding political, it must be said that our country is so much richer for what they bring to it.
A big merci to you, Quebec City, for all for the kindness and hospitality you've shown us in the past four or five days. I, for one, will cherish it always.
And to those who logged on to this blog during HomeSense Skate Canada, merci to you as well. The road carries us next to Vancouver, where the BMO Canadian championships will be held in January.
Hope to see you all then.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Take It To The Bank
So now, it's on to Ottawa.
Well, Kanata to be exact. Home base for Scotiabank Place, where HomeSense Skate Canada will land a year from now.
The good folks who pack the rink known locally as 'The Bank' have gotten used to some high-end skating these days: The Ottawa Senators, 11-1-0 as of this writing, own the top record in the National Hockey League.
Meaning the folks who run Skate Canada have a pretty high standard to keep.
They're confident they can do it, at least from the home end. Skate Canada CEO William Thompson all but confirmed that ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir — who struck gold in Quebec City, stole the show here, and might be world medallists (or even champions) by then — will be among the headliners at this event in 2008.
Joannie Rochette is also a very good bet to be there. Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, too, along with Jeffrey Buttle. Assuming one and all leave Vancouver in January with Canadian titles in their pockets, that is.
Skate Canada typically loads up its 'home' Grand Prix event with its top talent. This week, they also delivered world men's champ Brian Joubert of France and a precocious Japanese teen, Mao Asada, who might get there herself soon enough.
In other words, there will be no shortage of stars.
Now they just need to convince the public that it's the case.
"Our long-term goal is to have the arena full (again), but we are in a rebuilding mode," said Thompson. "The excitement in figure skating in Canada, I truly believe, will continue to build. When the public gets to know the Tessa and Scotts, and Jessica and Bryces, it will generate excitement and the crowds will return."
***
This isn't a sport for the faint of heart.
Everyone here got a reminder of that Saturday morning. During the warmup for the final flight of the ice dance final, U.S. competitor Denis Petukhov stumbled and lost his grip on partner Melissa Gregory during a rotational lift. Gregory crashed to the ice, landed hard on her chest and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
A CT scan later proved negative.
"She is going to be released tonight and she is fine," said Thompson.
Still, it was a scary moment for everyone who saw it.
"It reminds you about how dangerous this sport can be," said Virtue.
***
One friendly suggestion for next year.
Bring Marc Ferland — and a microphone — to Ottawa.
The former Canadian junior and novice champion gave one of the most stirring renditions of O Canada you'd ever want to hear to open this event on Friday night. Then he put those amazing pipes to work one more time and did it again to close the show Sunday afternoon.
You're not Canadian if you weren't moved by what you heard.
Well, Kanata to be exact. Home base for Scotiabank Place, where HomeSense Skate Canada will land a year from now.
The good folks who pack the rink known locally as 'The Bank' have gotten used to some high-end skating these days: The Ottawa Senators, 11-1-0 as of this writing, own the top record in the National Hockey League.
Meaning the folks who run Skate Canada have a pretty high standard to keep.
They're confident they can do it, at least from the home end. Skate Canada CEO William Thompson all but confirmed that ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir — who struck gold in Quebec City, stole the show here, and might be world medallists (or even champions) by then — will be among the headliners at this event in 2008.
Joannie Rochette is also a very good bet to be there. Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, too, along with Jeffrey Buttle. Assuming one and all leave Vancouver in January with Canadian titles in their pockets, that is.
Skate Canada typically loads up its 'home' Grand Prix event with its top talent. This week, they also delivered world men's champ Brian Joubert of France and a precocious Japanese teen, Mao Asada, who might get there herself soon enough.
In other words, there will be no shortage of stars.
Now they just need to convince the public that it's the case.
"Our long-term goal is to have the arena full (again), but we are in a rebuilding mode," said Thompson. "The excitement in figure skating in Canada, I truly believe, will continue to build. When the public gets to know the Tessa and Scotts, and Jessica and Bryces, it will generate excitement and the crowds will return."
***
This isn't a sport for the faint of heart.
Everyone here got a reminder of that Saturday morning. During the warmup for the final flight of the ice dance final, U.S. competitor Denis Petukhov stumbled and lost his grip on partner Melissa Gregory during a rotational lift. Gregory crashed to the ice, landed hard on her chest and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
A CT scan later proved negative.
"She is going to be released tonight and she is fine," said Thompson.
Still, it was a scary moment for everyone who saw it.
"It reminds you about how dangerous this sport can be," said Virtue.
***
One friendly suggestion for next year.
Bring Marc Ferland — and a microphone — to Ottawa.
The former Canadian junior and novice champion gave one of the most stirring renditions of O Canada you'd ever want to hear to open this event on Friday night. Then he put those amazing pipes to work one more time and did it again to close the show Sunday afternoon.
You're not Canadian if you weren't moved by what you heard.
Back Where He Belongs
A year ago at this time, Jeffrey Buttle was probably flat on his back on a couch somewhere, learning how the other half lives.
The half that watches events like HomeSense Skate Canada on television, wishing they could be out there on the ice, doing all that fun stuff.
His back was that much of a mess, his fall season a complete writeoff.
So if you're Mr. Buttle, you don't quibble a heck of a lot about the fact your performance Sunday at Pepsi Colisee wasn't quite up to your lofty standards.
Nope. You just take your bronze medal and run.
And enjoy it for all it's worth.
"Nothing hurts and I'm feeling good," said Buttle, 25, of Smooth Rock Falls, Ont. "Very much (better). I think we spent a lot of work just getting stronger and getting the jumps bigger, and I know they have been.
"So now it’s just about getting the mileage on the programs and making sure that I’m getting the other stuff done."
Buttle will be the first to tell you he's nowhere near being the guy who proudly brought home a bronze medal from the 2006 Torino Olympics, or a silver the previous year from the world championships.
Not just yet, anyways.
"I think it’s just going to take (more) training," said Buttle. "Making sure that when I come to competitions, that I’m ready and feel capable of winning. This time, I was probably not in that place. I had a really bad competition in Barrie a couple of weeks ago ... it was just a little competition, but stuff like that can affect you.
"I just need to train a little harder."
It wasn't really anybody's best day in Sunday's free skate, with the possible exception of Belgium's Kevin van der Perren, who won the day and the silver medal, behind world champion Brian Joubert of France.
You listen to the athletes in the sport long enough, though, and you'll realize it isn't always about where you finish.
Especially when it's only November.
So you take the small victories when you can get them. And for Buttle, being physically able to compete beats the heck out of the alternative.
Every day of the week, for that matter.
The half that watches events like HomeSense Skate Canada on television, wishing they could be out there on the ice, doing all that fun stuff.
His back was that much of a mess, his fall season a complete writeoff.
So if you're Mr. Buttle, you don't quibble a heck of a lot about the fact your performance Sunday at Pepsi Colisee wasn't quite up to your lofty standards.
Nope. You just take your bronze medal and run.
And enjoy it for all it's worth.
"Nothing hurts and I'm feeling good," said Buttle, 25, of Smooth Rock Falls, Ont. "Very much (better). I think we spent a lot of work just getting stronger and getting the jumps bigger, and I know they have been.
"So now it’s just about getting the mileage on the programs and making sure that I’m getting the other stuff done."
Buttle will be the first to tell you he's nowhere near being the guy who proudly brought home a bronze medal from the 2006 Torino Olympics, or a silver the previous year from the world championships.
Not just yet, anyways.
"I think it’s just going to take (more) training," said Buttle. "Making sure that when I come to competitions, that I’m ready and feel capable of winning. This time, I was probably not in that place. I had a really bad competition in Barrie a couple of weeks ago ... it was just a little competition, but stuff like that can affect you.
"I just need to train a little harder."
It wasn't really anybody's best day in Sunday's free skate, with the possible exception of Belgium's Kevin van der Perren, who won the day and the silver medal, behind world champion Brian Joubert of France.
You listen to the athletes in the sport long enough, though, and you'll realize it isn't always about where you finish.
Especially when it's only November.
So you take the small victories when you can get them. And for Buttle, being physically able to compete beats the heck out of the alternative.
Every day of the week, for that matter.
Mabee It's His Turn
Christopher Mabee, Canadian champion?
Hey, it could happen. And maybe sooner than some might think.
The Tillsonburg, Ont., native took another step in that direction at HomeSense Skate Canada, posting a fourth-place finish that matches his previous best in a Grand Prix event (NHK Trophy in 2005). And, as Mabee points out, it's a heck a lot better than his showing on the GP circuit a year ago.
"Last year on the Grand Prix, I was ninth and 10th, which are not very good results," said Mabee, 22, who trains at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont. "So to come out of this with a top-five finish is a much better result for me. Not only the placement, but the (performances) as well.”
Mabee might have deserved a better fate than the 125.70 points he got for his free skate on Sunday, which was a winner with the loud crowd at Pepsi Colisee. But here's the real encouraging part: He finished just 6.57 points behind bronze-medal winner Jeffrey Buttle, his sometimes training mate. They were almost dead even after the short program.
So what's it going to take to possibly put Mabee, who made his first world team last season, over the top at the 2008 Canadian championships in Vancouver in January?
"Just having a consistent season all around," he said. "Going out and making sure you take advantage of every opportunity that you have. Getting yourself in front of international judges, and performing well on top of that. The (judges) are going to rely on you to have those good performances and give you the marks that you maybe deserve."
In other words, he needs a better pedigree in the minds of the folks who decide who wins titles and who doesn't.
Mabee has no such worries with Canadian fans. They loved him in Halifax back in January, and his high-energy style was a hit at Le Colisee this weekend. And Mabee, showman that he is, knows a winning hand when he's got one.
"This whole (free) program is high energy from start to finish," he said. "There’s no down time, so I think that’s a huge thing for me. It’s the same style, but it’s definitely a step up component wise."
A Canadian championship program? We'll see soon enough.
Hey, it could happen. And maybe sooner than some might think.
The Tillsonburg, Ont., native took another step in that direction at HomeSense Skate Canada, posting a fourth-place finish that matches his previous best in a Grand Prix event (NHK Trophy in 2005). And, as Mabee points out, it's a heck a lot better than his showing on the GP circuit a year ago.
"Last year on the Grand Prix, I was ninth and 10th, which are not very good results," said Mabee, 22, who trains at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont. "So to come out of this with a top-five finish is a much better result for me. Not only the placement, but the (performances) as well.”
Mabee might have deserved a better fate than the 125.70 points he got for his free skate on Sunday, which was a winner with the loud crowd at Pepsi Colisee. But here's the real encouraging part: He finished just 6.57 points behind bronze-medal winner Jeffrey Buttle, his sometimes training mate. They were almost dead even after the short program.
So what's it going to take to possibly put Mabee, who made his first world team last season, over the top at the 2008 Canadian championships in Vancouver in January?
"Just having a consistent season all around," he said. "Going out and making sure you take advantage of every opportunity that you have. Getting yourself in front of international judges, and performing well on top of that. The (judges) are going to rely on you to have those good performances and give you the marks that you maybe deserve."
In other words, he needs a better pedigree in the minds of the folks who decide who wins titles and who doesn't.
Mabee has no such worries with Canadian fans. They loved him in Halifax back in January, and his high-energy style was a hit at Le Colisee this weekend. And Mabee, showman that he is, knows a winning hand when he's got one.
"This whole (free) program is high energy from start to finish," he said. "There’s no down time, so I think that’s a huge thing for me. It’s the same style, but it’s definitely a step up component wise."
A Canadian championship program? We'll see soon enough.
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
They're five steps that should be the hardest of all to climb.
But if Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir keep this up, the rising Canadian ice dance stars just might indeed by ready to conquer them all in one mighty leap.
That noise you heard Sunday at HomeSense Skate Canada was the sound of jaws dropping all around Pepsi Colisee at the astonishing sight they'd witnessed. Virtue and Moir literally blew away the field with a free dance performance than left them a whopping 25.5 points ahead of silver medallists Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte of Italy.
The young Canadians might have been the only ones unimpressed by that feat.
"The point gap, for us, isn’t really that big a deal,” said Moir, 20, of Ilderton, Ont. "We don’t think about it too much.”
Truth be told, these two confess they're not really big on the numbers game. But in this case, their paint a pretty impressive picture. Virtue and Moir's overall total (197.07) is nearly 13 points higher than their previous personal best. The score (99.63) for that lovely free dance, skated to music from the 1964 French musical, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (a favourite in these parts, I've been told), is better than the number Virtue and Moir recorded en route to a sixth-place finish in their world championships debut in March in Tokyo.
All of this, naturally, has been cause for excitement among the Canadian skating fraternity. Skate Canada CEO William Thompson, a former international judge, called Virtue and Moir's total score a rarity this early in the season. It also has him thinking a world title in 2008 in Gothenburg, Sweden, is "realistic" to start considering.
Even if Virtue and Moir aren't — at least not yet.
"That might be slightly ambitious," said Virtue, 18, of London, Ont., who couldn't help smiling at the mere mention of the thought. "But I think everyone competes to win. That’s in our heads, but whether it’s this year or a few years down the road, we’re training for that.”
Given this couple's track record, we'd bet on the former.
And more than just a couple of bucks.
But if Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir keep this up, the rising Canadian ice dance stars just might indeed by ready to conquer them all in one mighty leap.
That noise you heard Sunday at HomeSense Skate Canada was the sound of jaws dropping all around Pepsi Colisee at the astonishing sight they'd witnessed. Virtue and Moir literally blew away the field with a free dance performance than left them a whopping 25.5 points ahead of silver medallists Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte of Italy.
The young Canadians might have been the only ones unimpressed by that feat.
"The point gap, for us, isn’t really that big a deal,” said Moir, 20, of Ilderton, Ont. "We don’t think about it too much.”
Truth be told, these two confess they're not really big on the numbers game. But in this case, their paint a pretty impressive picture. Virtue and Moir's overall total (197.07) is nearly 13 points higher than their previous personal best. The score (99.63) for that lovely free dance, skated to music from the 1964 French musical, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (a favourite in these parts, I've been told), is better than the number Virtue and Moir recorded en route to a sixth-place finish in their world championships debut in March in Tokyo.
All of this, naturally, has been cause for excitement among the Canadian skating fraternity. Skate Canada CEO William Thompson, a former international judge, called Virtue and Moir's total score a rarity this early in the season. It also has him thinking a world title in 2008 in Gothenburg, Sweden, is "realistic" to start considering.
Even if Virtue and Moir aren't — at least not yet.
"That might be slightly ambitious," said Virtue, 18, of London, Ont., who couldn't help smiling at the mere mention of the thought. "But I think everyone competes to win. That’s in our heads, but whether it’s this year or a few years down the road, we’re training for that.”
Given this couple's track record, we'd bet on the former.
And more than just a couple of bucks.
Feeling That Championship Touch
They've been retired from eligible skating for more than four years.
But 2003 world ice dance champions Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz figure to have more than just a small hand in the composition of the team that will wear the red maple leaf next March in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Kraatz and his wife, Maikki Uotila Kraatz, are the coaches guiding the fortunes of Allie Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno, who made a quantum leap this weekend with a fourth-place finish at HomeSense Skating Canada.
And Bourne has become a key addition to the team that's working with Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, who wound up sixth in the final standings at Pepsi Colisee.
Both couples figure to be in the middle of the fierce battle to land the second and third Canadian world team berths when the 2008 national championships are held in January in Vancouver.
Hann-McCurdy and Coreno moved to Vancouver in 2005 to train under Kraatz, and quickly won the Canadian junior title that season. They can't say enough good things about Kraatz.
"We have so much faith in him,” said Hann-McCurdy, 20, who represents the Gloucester Skating Club in Ottawa. "It’s been an interesting season, adjusting our goals and trying to improve. Victor has helped us a lot and we really trust him.”
They were eighth at nationals a year ago in Halifax. But Hann-McCurdy and Coreno have made it clear they'll challenge for one of the the three available world team berths in Vancouver. They finished two places ahead of Weaver and Poje, who were third in Halifax.
"Our technical marks here (at Skate Canada) were a big improvement compared to last year,” said Coreno, 23, of Delhi, Ont.
Weaver and Poje, meanwhile, could smile about a free dance that atoned for what she called "mediocre" compulsory and original dances.
"We knew we could come back with a great free dance, and we just kept that in our heads,” said Weaver, 18, a native of Houston, Tex.
They've brought in Bourne as a "finisher" of sorts, someone to work on what Poje calls "those little things that make a difference.”
"She’s definitely been a big help since she started working with us,” said Poje, 20, of Waterloo, Ont.
Weaver, a striking blonde, admits to feeling more than just a little flattered when some suggest she bears a resemblance to Bourne.
"It’s a great compliment, because (Bourne) is gorgeous,” said Weaver. "She’s a great, great role model, and just fabulous to work with and be around."
But 2003 world ice dance champions Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz figure to have more than just a small hand in the composition of the team that will wear the red maple leaf next March in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Kraatz and his wife, Maikki Uotila Kraatz, are the coaches guiding the fortunes of Allie Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno, who made a quantum leap this weekend with a fourth-place finish at HomeSense Skating Canada.
And Bourne has become a key addition to the team that's working with Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, who wound up sixth in the final standings at Pepsi Colisee.
Both couples figure to be in the middle of the fierce battle to land the second and third Canadian world team berths when the 2008 national championships are held in January in Vancouver.
Hann-McCurdy and Coreno moved to Vancouver in 2005 to train under Kraatz, and quickly won the Canadian junior title that season. They can't say enough good things about Kraatz.
"We have so much faith in him,” said Hann-McCurdy, 20, who represents the Gloucester Skating Club in Ottawa. "It’s been an interesting season, adjusting our goals and trying to improve. Victor has helped us a lot and we really trust him.”
They were eighth at nationals a year ago in Halifax. But Hann-McCurdy and Coreno have made it clear they'll challenge for one of the the three available world team berths in Vancouver. They finished two places ahead of Weaver and Poje, who were third in Halifax.
"Our technical marks here (at Skate Canada) were a big improvement compared to last year,” said Coreno, 23, of Delhi, Ont.
Weaver and Poje, meanwhile, could smile about a free dance that atoned for what she called "mediocre" compulsory and original dances.
"We knew we could come back with a great free dance, and we just kept that in our heads,” said Weaver, 18, a native of Houston, Tex.
They've brought in Bourne as a "finisher" of sorts, someone to work on what Poje calls "those little things that make a difference.”
"She’s definitely been a big help since she started working with us,” said Poje, 20, of Waterloo, Ont.
Weaver, a striking blonde, admits to feeling more than just a little flattered when some suggest she bears a resemblance to Bourne.
"It’s a great compliment, because (Bourne) is gorgeous,” said Weaver. "She’s a great, great role model, and just fabulous to work with and be around."
When Old Isn't Charming
I can't help thinking of the phrase 'old-world charm' whenever I wander the hallways of the stately Chateau Frontenac (114 years young and counting), or view some of the sights of Old Quebec that surround this landmark hotel.
But sometimes, newer is better. At least that's what I thought Saturday night when the elevator I was riding down to the hotel lobby decided to grind to a halt (and yes, that would accurately describe the sound) somewhere between the first and second floors.
When I put in the call for help, the friendly woman on the other end of the line couldn't have been any quicker getting the wheels turning, so to speak, to solve my predicament. Fortunately, I'm not one of those claustrophobic sorts, and the 15 minutes or so I was stuck there were more of any annoyance than anything.
Let's just say it will hardly harm my impression of this lovely hotel, or the wonderful people who serve the guests here.
But for a few minutes, I was reminded why many of today's travellers want all those modern, hi-tech conveniences that are in growing abundance out there now.
Although I'll tell you what — those early 20th-century style house phones in the Chateau's lobby still look rather, well, charming to me.
But sometimes, newer is better. At least that's what I thought Saturday night when the elevator I was riding down to the hotel lobby decided to grind to a halt (and yes, that would accurately describe the sound) somewhere between the first and second floors.
When I put in the call for help, the friendly woman on the other end of the line couldn't have been any quicker getting the wheels turning, so to speak, to solve my predicament. Fortunately, I'm not one of those claustrophobic sorts, and the 15 minutes or so I was stuck there were more of any annoyance than anything.
Let's just say it will hardly harm my impression of this lovely hotel, or the wonderful people who serve the guests here.
But for a few minutes, I was reminded why many of today's travellers want all those modern, hi-tech conveniences that are in growing abundance out there now.
Although I'll tell you what — those early 20th-century style house phones in the Chateau's lobby still look rather, well, charming to me.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Dancing With The Stars
A lot of folks might still see them as that pair of cute, cuddly kids.
But ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are aiming to change that perception these days. They see it as a key part of their mission to keep rising up the world rankings.
"Our goal this year is to really make the jump, to compete with the best in the world,” Moir said when asked what comes next after he and Virtue finished an amazing sixth in their very first world championship last spring in Tokyo. "So I think that's where we're going to try to go with it. Obviously, we have a lot to do to compete with those other skaters, but we feel we're going to be ready and we're excited about the opportunity.
"We're working on power and speed, that's what we're trying to do. And just looking mature out on the ice, looking like adults.”
Legally, at least, they're already there. Check the birth certificates of the London, Ont., duo, and you'll see it's true: Moir is now 20, Virtue is 18. Yes, they're growing up right before our eyes.
And with Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon on sabbatical from eligible skating this season, Virtue and Moir now become the hunted for the first time: Heavy favourites to claim their first Canadian senior title in January in Vancouver.
"It definitely is more pressure on us,” said Virtue. "But it's motivating and it's exciting. It's what helps us get through every day of training, and we're ready to take that next step.”
Added Moir: "It's completely different. There's a lot of pressure being on top, because you have a lot of expectations. At the same time, that's why we compete, because everyone wants to be the best.”
Apparently, they can't get there fast enough. The answer comes quick and surely when they're asked what's next on the global stage.
"Five more steps," Virtue said with a smile.
And if you think this is all happening rather fast ... well, guess again.
"We're just very goal oriented,” said Moir. "We're always trying to go for the next step. It feels like the years go by pretty slow, so (to us) it's not really going by that fast.”
They're all but guaranteed to add a Skate Canada gold medal to their growing collection on Sunday, when the free dance final helps ring down the curtain on the competition at Pepsi Colisee. Virtue and Moir hold a commanding 11.32-point lead over Italians Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte.
But ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are aiming to change that perception these days. They see it as a key part of their mission to keep rising up the world rankings.
"Our goal this year is to really make the jump, to compete with the best in the world,” Moir said when asked what comes next after he and Virtue finished an amazing sixth in their very first world championship last spring in Tokyo. "So I think that's where we're going to try to go with it. Obviously, we have a lot to do to compete with those other skaters, but we feel we're going to be ready and we're excited about the opportunity.
"We're working on power and speed, that's what we're trying to do. And just looking mature out on the ice, looking like adults.”
Legally, at least, they're already there. Check the birth certificates of the London, Ont., duo, and you'll see it's true: Moir is now 20, Virtue is 18. Yes, they're growing up right before our eyes.
And with Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon on sabbatical from eligible skating this season, Virtue and Moir now become the hunted for the first time: Heavy favourites to claim their first Canadian senior title in January in Vancouver.
"It definitely is more pressure on us,” said Virtue. "But it's motivating and it's exciting. It's what helps us get through every day of training, and we're ready to take that next step.”
Added Moir: "It's completely different. There's a lot of pressure being on top, because you have a lot of expectations. At the same time, that's why we compete, because everyone wants to be the best.”
Apparently, they can't get there fast enough. The answer comes quick and surely when they're asked what's next on the global stage.
"Five more steps," Virtue said with a smile.
And if you think this is all happening rather fast ... well, guess again.
"We're just very goal oriented,” said Moir. "We're always trying to go for the next step. It feels like the years go by pretty slow, so (to us) it's not really going by that fast.”
They're all but guaranteed to add a Skate Canada gold medal to their growing collection on Sunday, when the free dance final helps ring down the curtain on the competition at Pepsi Colisee. Virtue and Moir hold a commanding 11.32-point lead over Italians Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte.
Glowing With Pride
Joannie Rochette was glowing at least a little bit after some good fortune fell her way at HomeSense Skate Canada on Saturday afternoon.
And no, we're not just talking about the funky glow-in-the-dark skate guards she sported while chatting with the media after learning she'll be taking a bronze medal home from the proceedings at Pepsi Colisee.
"I'm proud to be third,” said Rochette, who had to battle back from a fifth-place finish in the short program to earn her podium finish.
She needed help, and she got it. She watched as both surprise short program winner Laura Lepisto of Finland and American Emily Hughes tumbled below her in the final standings. It wasn't the Skate Canada gold Rochette won a year ago in Victoria, but she'll happily take it. She also sees it as a good starting point for the new season, and leaves Quebec City with no regrets.
"I look forward to the future,” said Rochette. "I don't want to say 'I should have, I should have.' It's in the past now. I feel good. I'm actually better than (I was) last year at this time of the year.”
Rochette, it might be said, raised the expectation bar for herself in a major way back in 2005, when she delivered the best women's free skate in years at the Canadian championships back in London, Ont. — her first of three straight national crowns. She's had to live up to that ever since, at least in the minds of fans and the critics.
Ask Rochette about it, and she offers up a different perspective.
"I know (how good I can be) and it's enough for me to know,” said the 21-year-old from Ile-Dupas, Que. "I don't expect perfection from me all the time, because I'm not perfect at practice every day ... I'm just trying to make all my practices (consistent).
"Before, I would have a good practice day and an awful practice day. Now I'm just trying to even that out.”
She's growing up in other areas, too.
"Before if I had a bad short, I would just go home and cry and not be happy,” she said. "I hate that, because I'm supposed to be doing this sport because I love it, and not putting too much pressure on myself.
"(Friday), I said 'that's what I did today' and that's (a lesson) I'll take home from here.”
Oh, and about those skate blades. Rochette said they're all the rage in skate shops back in Montreal.
"Everyone has them,” said Rochette.
"Aren't they lovely?” added coach Manon Perron. "If we lose power at home, she can always find her way (in the dark).”
Sounds rather practical, too.
And no, we're not just talking about the funky glow-in-the-dark skate guards she sported while chatting with the media after learning she'll be taking a bronze medal home from the proceedings at Pepsi Colisee.
"I'm proud to be third,” said Rochette, who had to battle back from a fifth-place finish in the short program to earn her podium finish.
She needed help, and she got it. She watched as both surprise short program winner Laura Lepisto of Finland and American Emily Hughes tumbled below her in the final standings. It wasn't the Skate Canada gold Rochette won a year ago in Victoria, but she'll happily take it. She also sees it as a good starting point for the new season, and leaves Quebec City with no regrets.
"I look forward to the future,” said Rochette. "I don't want to say 'I should have, I should have.' It's in the past now. I feel good. I'm actually better than (I was) last year at this time of the year.”
Rochette, it might be said, raised the expectation bar for herself in a major way back in 2005, when she delivered the best women's free skate in years at the Canadian championships back in London, Ont. — her first of three straight national crowns. She's had to live up to that ever since, at least in the minds of fans and the critics.
Ask Rochette about it, and she offers up a different perspective.
"I know (how good I can be) and it's enough for me to know,” said the 21-year-old from Ile-Dupas, Que. "I don't expect perfection from me all the time, because I'm not perfect at practice every day ... I'm just trying to make all my practices (consistent).
"Before, I would have a good practice day and an awful practice day. Now I'm just trying to even that out.”
She's growing up in other areas, too.
"Before if I had a bad short, I would just go home and cry and not be happy,” she said. "I hate that, because I'm supposed to be doing this sport because I love it, and not putting too much pressure on myself.
"(Friday), I said 'that's what I did today' and that's (a lesson) I'll take home from here.”
Oh, and about those skate blades. Rochette said they're all the rage in skate shops back in Montreal.
"Everyone has them,” said Rochette.
"Aren't they lovely?” added coach Manon Perron. "If we lose power at home, she can always find her way (in the dark).”
Sounds rather practical, too.
Looking Out For No. 1
Lesley Hawker isn't ready to settle for third-best anymore.
Or second, for that matter.
Nope. Mrs. Doherty, who'll always be gold-medal stuff in the blogosphere (as scientific as that sounds), wants to stand on top of the podium at the 2008 Canadian championships in Vancouver.
(and you can all save your 'will that make her the oldest Canadian women's champion ever' thoughts for then, thank you).
"I want to be a major player at Canadians ... Even win it this year," said Hawker, 26, of Alliston, Ont., who was the senior women's bronze medallist at nationals the past two years. "I don't want to just settle for anything. I've been given a great talent, I love what I do and I just want to make sure I use it to my fullest ability."
Hawker finished ninth at HomeSense Skate Canada, which made her the No. 2 Canadian here — behind bronze-medal winner Joannie Rochette of Ile-Dupas, Que., and ahead of Cynthia Phaneuf of Contrecoeur, Que., who wound up 10th after Saturday's free skate final.
More importantly, she senses the quality of her skating has taken another leap forward since this time a year ago — and rightly so, we'd add.
"I'm really happy with my skating,” she said.
Now she'd like to rise to the level of Janet Lynn, the 1970s American skating legend who is greatly admired by Hawker, and so many others.
"I'm sure anybody in the skating world knows (Lynn),” she said. "A beautiful smile, her edge quality, her smoothness ... she was just breath-taking to watch.
"I've been watching a lot of old tapes of older skaters — YouTube is great for that — trying to really emulate their softness. I want to be the kind of skater that you watch and say 'oh, that looked so easy, it looks fun.' ”
Fun and first ... now there's a winning ticket, right?
Hey, she's halfway there. At least in our poll — which, of course, is completely unscientific.
Or second, for that matter.
Nope. Mrs. Doherty, who'll always be gold-medal stuff in the blogosphere (as scientific as that sounds), wants to stand on top of the podium at the 2008 Canadian championships in Vancouver.
(and you can all save your 'will that make her the oldest Canadian women's champion ever' thoughts for then, thank you).
"I want to be a major player at Canadians ... Even win it this year," said Hawker, 26, of Alliston, Ont., who was the senior women's bronze medallist at nationals the past two years. "I don't want to just settle for anything. I've been given a great talent, I love what I do and I just want to make sure I use it to my fullest ability."
Hawker finished ninth at HomeSense Skate Canada, which made her the No. 2 Canadian here — behind bronze-medal winner Joannie Rochette of Ile-Dupas, Que., and ahead of Cynthia Phaneuf of Contrecoeur, Que., who wound up 10th after Saturday's free skate final.
More importantly, she senses the quality of her skating has taken another leap forward since this time a year ago — and rightly so, we'd add.
"I'm really happy with my skating,” she said.
Now she'd like to rise to the level of Janet Lynn, the 1970s American skating legend who is greatly admired by Hawker, and so many others.
"I'm sure anybody in the skating world knows (Lynn),” she said. "A beautiful smile, her edge quality, her smoothness ... she was just breath-taking to watch.
"I've been watching a lot of old tapes of older skaters — YouTube is great for that — trying to really emulate their softness. I want to be the kind of skater that you watch and say 'oh, that looked so easy, it looks fun.' ”
Fun and first ... now there's a winning ticket, right?
Hey, she's halfway there. At least in our poll — which, of course, is completely unscientific.
They're A Heavy Medal Pair
Two medals in their pocket, and a ticket to the Grand Prix final.
Not a bad start for Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison. Not bad at all.
"That should be a lot of fun," Davison, 21, of Cambridge, Ont., said as he pondered the December trip they'll take to Torino, Italy, to skate among the world's finest pairs teams. "The Grand Prix final is now on our schedule and we're excited about that.”
A surprising gold medal they earned last weekend at Skate America in Reading, Pa., combined with the silver they'll cart back to Montreal from HomeSense Skate Canada, has the reigning national champions riding high. Davison admitted they've already outdone themselves with their efforts in the past week or so.
"When sat down this spring, our initial thoughts, our goals (for the season) were to medal on the Grand Prix circuit," said Davison, 21, of Cambridge, Ont. "Just one medal anywhere, really. We thought that would be a good progression going toward the (2010) Olympics in Vancouver. Finding ourselves here, we're a little bit ahead of schedule, which is great because we have even more time.
"It's an advance on ourselves, which is always good, and we can look to expand our skating even further.”
Actually, Dube and Davison have been ahead of the curve almost from the day they first joined forces, winning the Junior Grand Prix final back in 2003 during their initial season together. Since then, they've been tabbed to be the next great Canadian pairs team, following in the footsteps of Olympic champs Jamie Sale and David Pelletier (who happen to be mentors for Dube and Davison these days).
They didn't arrive in Quebec City as favourites — the gold here was won by Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, the reigning world bronze medallists — but Dube and Davison are clearly back in the fast lane. An improvement on their seventh-place standing at the 2007 worlds in Tokyo appears in the offing when the figure skating world reconvenes next March in Gothenburg, Sweden.
They didn't buckle under the weight of home-province pressure this weekend.
"We like the pressure and we enjoy competing, and I think for an athlete, there's nothing like it,” said Davison. "Especially being at home, or what will be our home for awhile. It's so much fun.
"To hear the crowd react and be with us in the program, whether it's good or whether it's bad, it's feels like they're on the ice with us and they're living every moment with us.”
Added Dube, 20, of St. Cyrille de Wendover, Que.: "We (made) some stupid mistakes. It happens and we're going to work harder to (correct) them next time. Overall, we're really pleased with our performances. The crowd was so good, and it really gave us energy.”
Not a bad start for Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison. Not bad at all.
"That should be a lot of fun," Davison, 21, of Cambridge, Ont., said as he pondered the December trip they'll take to Torino, Italy, to skate among the world's finest pairs teams. "The Grand Prix final is now on our schedule and we're excited about that.”
A surprising gold medal they earned last weekend at Skate America in Reading, Pa., combined with the silver they'll cart back to Montreal from HomeSense Skate Canada, has the reigning national champions riding high. Davison admitted they've already outdone themselves with their efforts in the past week or so.
"When sat down this spring, our initial thoughts, our goals (for the season) were to medal on the Grand Prix circuit," said Davison, 21, of Cambridge, Ont. "Just one medal anywhere, really. We thought that would be a good progression going toward the (2010) Olympics in Vancouver. Finding ourselves here, we're a little bit ahead of schedule, which is great because we have even more time.
"It's an advance on ourselves, which is always good, and we can look to expand our skating even further.”
Actually, Dube and Davison have been ahead of the curve almost from the day they first joined forces, winning the Junior Grand Prix final back in 2003 during their initial season together. Since then, they've been tabbed to be the next great Canadian pairs team, following in the footsteps of Olympic champs Jamie Sale and David Pelletier (who happen to be mentors for Dube and Davison these days).
They didn't arrive in Quebec City as favourites — the gold here was won by Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, the reigning world bronze medallists — but Dube and Davison are clearly back in the fast lane. An improvement on their seventh-place standing at the 2007 worlds in Tokyo appears in the offing when the figure skating world reconvenes next March in Gothenburg, Sweden.
They didn't buckle under the weight of home-province pressure this weekend.
"We like the pressure and we enjoy competing, and I think for an athlete, there's nothing like it,” said Davison. "Especially being at home, or what will be our home for awhile. It's so much fun.
"To hear the crowd react and be with us in the program, whether it's good or whether it's bad, it's feels like they're on the ice with us and they're living every moment with us.”
Added Dube, 20, of St. Cyrille de Wendover, Que.: "We (made) some stupid mistakes. It happens and we're going to work harder to (correct) them next time. Overall, we're really pleased with our performances. The crowd was so good, and it really gave us energy.”
The Great Leap Forward
We've all heard the line when we get impatient about anything.
"You've got to take it one step at a time."
Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay have been doing it that way for two seasons now. But as they move into Year 3 of their pairs partnership, they figure it's high time to pick up the pace.
"We don't want to do the steps one at a time anymore," said Hay, 24, of Dawson Creek, B.C., in assessing where he and Langlois currently stand as a team. "Now we want to start jumping a couple. To be out there (at HomeSense Skate Canada this weekend) like this and compete against the Germans (Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, the winners Saturday at Pepsi Colisee), who are one of the top teams in the world, that's what you want to do.
"You want to be competing with them, not just at the same competition."
But both Langlois and Hay, who wound up fourth after Saturday's pairs free skate, understand why it had to be this way. Langlois climbed as high as fifth in the world with her former partner, Patrice Archetto. But when she joined forces with Hay in 2005, she was taking on someone new with not a second of senior-level experience on his resume.
"We had an odd coupling, based on where Anabelle had been ranked in the world, and where I was ranked," said Hay. "When we started together, she knew what it was like to be at the top of the world. She wanted to get (back) there as fast as possible, and it was hard for her to come back down and rebuild our way back up. She was always trying to jump up a couple flights of stairs instead of taking them one step at a time.”
Now, though, they feel comfortable in accelerating things. Taking that great leap forward, one might say (guess I just did).
"The togetherness and the elements are coming a lot easier now," said Langlois, 26, of Hull, Que. "We want to make great leaps. It's so hard, I don't like putting placements on it. We're always reaching for the top. We wouldn't be putting this much effort into it without (thinking that way).”
Added Hay: "The first two years, if something wasn't right, we had to put it on the side and wait for Lee (Barkell, their coach in Barrie, Ont.) to tell us what was wrong. Or we would battle back and forth about what the other person was doing wrong. Now we can actually tell and fix it ourselves.”
"You've got to take it one step at a time."
Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay have been doing it that way for two seasons now. But as they move into Year 3 of their pairs partnership, they figure it's high time to pick up the pace.
"We don't want to do the steps one at a time anymore," said Hay, 24, of Dawson Creek, B.C., in assessing where he and Langlois currently stand as a team. "Now we want to start jumping a couple. To be out there (at HomeSense Skate Canada this weekend) like this and compete against the Germans (Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, the winners Saturday at Pepsi Colisee), who are one of the top teams in the world, that's what you want to do.
"You want to be competing with them, not just at the same competition."
But both Langlois and Hay, who wound up fourth after Saturday's pairs free skate, understand why it had to be this way. Langlois climbed as high as fifth in the world with her former partner, Patrice Archetto. But when she joined forces with Hay in 2005, she was taking on someone new with not a second of senior-level experience on his resume.
"We had an odd coupling, based on where Anabelle had been ranked in the world, and where I was ranked," said Hay. "When we started together, she knew what it was like to be at the top of the world. She wanted to get (back) there as fast as possible, and it was hard for her to come back down and rebuild our way back up. She was always trying to jump up a couple flights of stairs instead of taking them one step at a time.”
Now, though, they feel comfortable in accelerating things. Taking that great leap forward, one might say (guess I just did).
"The togetherness and the elements are coming a lot easier now," said Langlois, 26, of Hull, Que. "We want to make great leaps. It's so hard, I don't like putting placements on it. We're always reaching for the top. We wouldn't be putting this much effort into it without (thinking that way).”
Added Hay: "The first two years, if something wasn't right, we had to put it on the side and wait for Lee (Barkell, their coach in Barrie, Ont.) to tell us what was wrong. Or we would battle back and forth about what the other person was doing wrong. Now we can actually tell and fix it ourselves.”
A World Of Change
It's a whole new world for Meagan Duhamel.
And not just on the ice, where she's working on a new pairs career with former world team member Craig Buntin.
Duhamel grew up in Lively, Ont., a small town of "about 1,000-1,500 people" near Sudbury. But when she decided to team up with Buntin, it meant moving away from home for the first time. And to a city, Montreal, where the population is largely French-speaking — a language that, despite her last name, Duhamel neither speaks or really comprehends.
"I understand some, but I can't conjugate verbs or anything like that," said Duhamel, 21.
Nobody is more impressed about Duhamel's moxie in making the move than her partner, for whom the former Canadian junior women's champion has truly been a career saver.
"What can't I say about her?" said Buntin, 27, of North Vancouver, B.C. "She's more than I could have hoped for. She has no friends in Montreal, she's living in a community where she doesn't speak the (predominant) language, she lives alone, she works 40 hours a week and trains on top of that ... and she brings a smile to the rink every day
"Then she comes out here (at HomeSense Skate Canada) and performs like a champ. She's unbelievable."
It's certainly quite the mix of cultures, to be sure. Duhamel's mother is Finnish, so she has a Scandinavian upbringing. Now she works in an Italian bakery (or boulangerie) 10 minutes from the rink where she and Buntin train in St-Leonard, Que.
The language spoken there is "mostly Italian and English," Duhamel said, "but if I have a shift, there's always somebody who speaks French there in case I run into trouble. Or I just talk with my hands."
A far cry from home, to be sure, where the Duhamel clan is literally everywhere.
"My sister lives in Oshawa, but my parents and my brother, every one of them, and my uncles and aunts and cousins and grandparents, they live in Lively," said Meagan.
"We take over the whole town."
Duhamel and Buntin wound up sixth at Le Colisee. Unless there's some sort of an ISU rule change to allow them to fill in for a couple withdrawing from a future Grand Prix event — as a new team, they have no world ranking points — then this was pretty much it until the Canadian championships in January in Vancouver.
"We've decided to do the Eastern Challenge (in December in Mississauga, Ont.), just to have another competition under our belts before then," said Buntin. "But we're crossing our fingers (about the Grand Prix events)."
And not just on the ice, where she's working on a new pairs career with former world team member Craig Buntin.
Duhamel grew up in Lively, Ont., a small town of "about 1,000-1,500 people" near Sudbury. But when she decided to team up with Buntin, it meant moving away from home for the first time. And to a city, Montreal, where the population is largely French-speaking — a language that, despite her last name, Duhamel neither speaks or really comprehends.
"I understand some, but I can't conjugate verbs or anything like that," said Duhamel, 21.
Nobody is more impressed about Duhamel's moxie in making the move than her partner, for whom the former Canadian junior women's champion has truly been a career saver.
"What can't I say about her?" said Buntin, 27, of North Vancouver, B.C. "She's more than I could have hoped for. She has no friends in Montreal, she's living in a community where she doesn't speak the (predominant) language, she lives alone, she works 40 hours a week and trains on top of that ... and she brings a smile to the rink every day
"Then she comes out here (at HomeSense Skate Canada) and performs like a champ. She's unbelievable."
It's certainly quite the mix of cultures, to be sure. Duhamel's mother is Finnish, so she has a Scandinavian upbringing. Now she works in an Italian bakery (or boulangerie) 10 minutes from the rink where she and Buntin train in St-Leonard, Que.
The language spoken there is "mostly Italian and English," Duhamel said, "but if I have a shift, there's always somebody who speaks French there in case I run into trouble. Or I just talk with my hands."
A far cry from home, to be sure, where the Duhamel clan is literally everywhere.
"My sister lives in Oshawa, but my parents and my brother, every one of them, and my uncles and aunts and cousins and grandparents, they live in Lively," said Meagan.
"We take over the whole town."
Duhamel and Buntin wound up sixth at Le Colisee. Unless there's some sort of an ISU rule change to allow them to fill in for a couple withdrawing from a future Grand Prix event — as a new team, they have no world ranking points — then this was pretty much it until the Canadian championships in January in Vancouver.
"We've decided to do the Eastern Challenge (in December in Mississauga, Ont.), just to have another competition under our belts before then," said Buntin. "But we're crossing our fingers (about the Grand Prix events)."
Friday, November 2, 2007
Better Now Than Later
Is there such a thing as too good, too soon?
Jeffrey Buttle surely subscribes to that theory. And not just because his short program Friday night at HomeSense Skate Canada was, shall we say, a little rough around the edges.
The three-time Canadian men's champion has some work to do to hold on for a podium finish when the men's free skates are presented Sunday afternoon at the Pepsi Colisee. With 66.85 points in the bank, the native of Smooth Rock Falls, Ont., is a mere 0.35 points ahead of Christopher Mabee of Tillsonburg, Ont., his training mate at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont.
Belgium's Kevin van der Perren (66.11) and Vaughn Chipeur of Edmonton (65.65) are also within striking distance. The gold? That's a virtual lock for reigning world champ Brian Joubert of France, whose powerful display earned 78.05 points.
But back to this 'peaking theory,' if you will. While Buttle says he always goes on the ice aiming for a top performance, he admits he might be a little concerned if he turned in the skate of his life at a Grand Prix event in early November.
"It would be really hard to maintain that," said Buttle, a bronze medallist at the 2006 Torino Olympics. "I don't expect to be perfect (at this time of year), that's for sure.
"If I'm going to make a mistake like almost falling on a crosscut (which happened Friday night, along with a fall on a triple lutz), then I'd rather it be now than later. Of course I want to skate well no matter what time of year it is. But I definitely want to build instead of peaking now and dying later."
A classic example of that line of thinking: Skate Canada in 2000 in Mississauga, Ont., when Russia's Alexei Yagudin delivered a world championship-level performance of his Gladiator program to win the gold. Yagudin never matched it the rest of the season, although injuries were a major factor by the time the 2001 world championships in Vancouver rolled around.
One thing we'd hope to see maintained: The closeness of the competition between Buttle, Mabee and Chipeur. Wouldn't it be something if we could see that kind of battle for the men's crown at the Canadian championships in Vancouver in January?
If Buttle's right, the best is definitely yet to come.
Jeffrey Buttle surely subscribes to that theory. And not just because his short program Friday night at HomeSense Skate Canada was, shall we say, a little rough around the edges.
The three-time Canadian men's champion has some work to do to hold on for a podium finish when the men's free skates are presented Sunday afternoon at the Pepsi Colisee. With 66.85 points in the bank, the native of Smooth Rock Falls, Ont., is a mere 0.35 points ahead of Christopher Mabee of Tillsonburg, Ont., his training mate at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont.
Belgium's Kevin van der Perren (66.11) and Vaughn Chipeur of Edmonton (65.65) are also within striking distance. The gold? That's a virtual lock for reigning world champ Brian Joubert of France, whose powerful display earned 78.05 points.
But back to this 'peaking theory,' if you will. While Buttle says he always goes on the ice aiming for a top performance, he admits he might be a little concerned if he turned in the skate of his life at a Grand Prix event in early November.
"It would be really hard to maintain that," said Buttle, a bronze medallist at the 2006 Torino Olympics. "I don't expect to be perfect (at this time of year), that's for sure.
"If I'm going to make a mistake like almost falling on a crosscut (which happened Friday night, along with a fall on a triple lutz), then I'd rather it be now than later. Of course I want to skate well no matter what time of year it is. But I definitely want to build instead of peaking now and dying later."
A classic example of that line of thinking: Skate Canada in 2000 in Mississauga, Ont., when Russia's Alexei Yagudin delivered a world championship-level performance of his Gladiator program to win the gold. Yagudin never matched it the rest of the season, although injuries were a major factor by the time the 2001 world championships in Vancouver rolled around.
One thing we'd hope to see maintained: The closeness of the competition between Buttle, Mabee and Chipeur. Wouldn't it be something if we could see that kind of battle for the men's crown at the Canadian championships in Vancouver in January?
If Buttle's right, the best is definitely yet to come.
You Read It Here First
Upon first glance, it might seem like the ramblings of a wide-eyed little girl.
Lesley Hawker prefers to think of it as her best work of non-fiction.
So it is that the spunky 26-year-old — a.k.a. Mrs. Doherty, as you'll no doubt recall from The Halifax Chronicles — hasn't given up on the dream of landing a triple Axel in competition. Among other things, that is.
It's not like the TA hasn't been in her mind for awhile. Back when she was "10 or 11 years old," she penned a little book entitled The Day I Won The Olympics. And, well, we'll let Mrs. D. take over from here ...
"That was my dream, to win the Olympics, and in that book I did a triple Axel," said Hawker, who's ninth after the short program at HomeSense Skate Canada. "So it's been in my mind for a long time."
Now, you might ask, what's a 26-year-old doing messing around with the toughest jump in the (ahem) books — at least for women — when she could be getting on with married life?
(and no, asking her the 'what about kids' question isn't a good idea just yet).
"I'm not that old, I'm only 26," she said when the 'age' theme makes its inevitable appearance. "I keep getting better. I can do all the stuff. I want to land a triple Axel, I'm doing triple-triples.
"It doesn't matter if you land the triple lutz-triple loop when you're 26 or you're 18 or you're 16, for that matter."
In other words, old is really about how you feel. And Hawker, make no mistake about it, has every bit as much energy as the teeny boppers she regularly competes against these days.
She'll be around for a few years yet, too. Hawker has committed to skating through to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, taking one last stab at making her tale come true.
"I want to compete with the best in the world, and that's what you've got to do," she said of the quest for the triple-triple.
And on those days when the journey seems to long, Jamie Doherty is there there to be the ever-supportive husband.
"I'll say 'this is long, I've been doing this forever, I've got to quit at some point,' ” she said. "But when I get discouraged, he's the one that says 'no, no, you want to keep doing this.' He's incredible.”
Which is why the sequel to Hawker's original work — The Day I Kissed Tom Cruise — is so yesterday's news. The man who's involved in stem cell research, you see, has clearly won her heart.
"Scientists are where it's at now," she said.
Nothing old about that. Nothing at all.
Lesley Hawker prefers to think of it as her best work of non-fiction.
So it is that the spunky 26-year-old — a.k.a. Mrs. Doherty, as you'll no doubt recall from The Halifax Chronicles — hasn't given up on the dream of landing a triple Axel in competition. Among other things, that is.
It's not like the TA hasn't been in her mind for awhile. Back when she was "10 or 11 years old," she penned a little book entitled The Day I Won The Olympics. And, well, we'll let Mrs. D. take over from here ...
"That was my dream, to win the Olympics, and in that book I did a triple Axel," said Hawker, who's ninth after the short program at HomeSense Skate Canada. "So it's been in my mind for a long time."
Now, you might ask, what's a 26-year-old doing messing around with the toughest jump in the (ahem) books — at least for women — when she could be getting on with married life?
(and no, asking her the 'what about kids' question isn't a good idea just yet).
"I'm not that old, I'm only 26," she said when the 'age' theme makes its inevitable appearance. "I keep getting better. I can do all the stuff. I want to land a triple Axel, I'm doing triple-triples.
"It doesn't matter if you land the triple lutz-triple loop when you're 26 or you're 18 or you're 16, for that matter."
In other words, old is really about how you feel. And Hawker, make no mistake about it, has every bit as much energy as the teeny boppers she regularly competes against these days.
She'll be around for a few years yet, too. Hawker has committed to skating through to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, taking one last stab at making her tale come true.
"I want to compete with the best in the world, and that's what you've got to do," she said of the quest for the triple-triple.
And on those days when the journey seems to long, Jamie Doherty is there there to be the ever-supportive husband.
"I'll say 'this is long, I've been doing this forever, I've got to quit at some point,' ” she said. "But when I get discouraged, he's the one that says 'no, no, you want to keep doing this.' He's incredible.”
Which is why the sequel to Hawker's original work — The Day I Kissed Tom Cruise — is so yesterday's news. The man who's involved in stem cell research, you see, has clearly won her heart.
"Scientists are where it's at now," she said.
Nothing old about that. Nothing at all.
Shop Till You Drop
Keep those doors open, shopkeepers of Old Quebec.
Joannie Rochette's got 100 bucks to burn.
A well-earned C-note, we might add.
"I guess I'll go shopping with Manon (Perron, her coach)," Rochette said after concluding at least three waves of media inquiries after her short program at HomeSense Skate Canada on Friday night.
She quickly added she's be doing it on Perron's dime.
Well, just a wee bit more than that, actually, courtesy a friendly wager between coach and pupil about the triple flip-triple toe combination both know Rochette needs to climb to the next level on the world scene.
"We made a bet," Rochette said about the combination, which she landed at a Quebec summer competition. "If I try it, she gives me $100. If I don't try it, I give her $100."
All in fun, of course. But now the business is a little more serious, and Rochette didn't quite get the combo done Friday night because the landing on the flip wasn't sturdy enough. Now she finds herself in fifth place, 3.7 points off the pace set by surprising leader Laura Lepisto of Finland (59.18).
Rochette says the gap won't be in mind when she takes the ice for Saturday's free skate final.
"You don't go on the ice trying to do math," she said.
Save that for later, when the bargain hunting truly begins.
***
For all the accolades she's earned in this country, Rochette has never competed at a major event in her home province. Until now, that is.
"It was a bit overwhelming when I got on the ice," the 21-year-old from Ile-Dupas, Que., said of the wild cheers from the Pepsi Colisee audience. "It was like 'whoa.' But I just stayed in my bubble and tried to concentrate.' "
This event was held here back in 2002, but Rochette wasn't in the field.
***
We're here for figure skating, but the Colisee — once the home of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques — reeks hockey from every corner. Take a quick tour around the building, and you'll see a display case full of memorabilia gathered from Jean Beliveau, my boyhood hockey hero who started his pro career here with the old Quebec Aces.
Banners hanging from the ceiling honour such names as Guy Lafleur, Simon Gagne, J.C. Tremblay, Marc Tardif, Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny, all of whom played within these old walls.
There's even a picture of former Quebec Remparts captain Josh Hennessy, who's now with the Ottawa Senators' farm team in Binghamton, N.Y.
Oh, and the hot dogs? Steamed and served up in a toasted bun.
Yeah, they know how to do it right here.
Joannie Rochette's got 100 bucks to burn.
A well-earned C-note, we might add.
"I guess I'll go shopping with Manon (Perron, her coach)," Rochette said after concluding at least three waves of media inquiries after her short program at HomeSense Skate Canada on Friday night.
She quickly added she's be doing it on Perron's dime.
Well, just a wee bit more than that, actually, courtesy a friendly wager between coach and pupil about the triple flip-triple toe combination both know Rochette needs to climb to the next level on the world scene.
"We made a bet," Rochette said about the combination, which she landed at a Quebec summer competition. "If I try it, she gives me $100. If I don't try it, I give her $100."
All in fun, of course. But now the business is a little more serious, and Rochette didn't quite get the combo done Friday night because the landing on the flip wasn't sturdy enough. Now she finds herself in fifth place, 3.7 points off the pace set by surprising leader Laura Lepisto of Finland (59.18).
Rochette says the gap won't be in mind when she takes the ice for Saturday's free skate final.
"You don't go on the ice trying to do math," she said.
Save that for later, when the bargain hunting truly begins.
***
For all the accolades she's earned in this country, Rochette has never competed at a major event in her home province. Until now, that is.
"It was a bit overwhelming when I got on the ice," the 21-year-old from Ile-Dupas, Que., said of the wild cheers from the Pepsi Colisee audience. "It was like 'whoa.' But I just stayed in my bubble and tried to concentrate.' "
This event was held here back in 2002, but Rochette wasn't in the field.
***
We're here for figure skating, but the Colisee — once the home of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques — reeks hockey from every corner. Take a quick tour around the building, and you'll see a display case full of memorabilia gathered from Jean Beliveau, my boyhood hockey hero who started his pro career here with the old Quebec Aces.
Banners hanging from the ceiling honour such names as Guy Lafleur, Simon Gagne, J.C. Tremblay, Marc Tardif, Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny, all of whom played within these old walls.
There's even a picture of former Quebec Remparts captain Josh Hennessy, who's now with the Ottawa Senators' farm team in Binghamton, N.Y.
Oh, and the hot dogs? Steamed and served up in a toasted bun.
Yeah, they know how to do it right here.
A Reason To Believe
Sometimes, it's the little things that really do matter the most.
That tell you more than you can ever imagine.
For Craig Buntin, it was simply hearing has name again as a pairs skater representing Canada, with a partner by his side giving him new reason for real hope.
A reason to believe.
"Just to step on that ice tonight and hear 'Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin, representing Canada' ... it felt so good," said Buntin, 27, of North Vancouver, B.C., after their short program performance Friday at HomeSense Skate Canada. "I had the biggest smile on my face."
If you'd been to the depths that Buntin endured in the past five months or so, you'd feel just as emotional about a moment that, for every world-class figure skater, is about as routine as it gets. But not when you've wondered whether something that simple would ever happen again for you.
Buntin's world was turned upside down when his longtime partner, Valerie Marcoux of Gatineau, Que., decided her heart wasn't in skating anymore and retired in April. Gone was the skater with whom he'd won three Canadian senior pairs titles, skated at the 2006 Winter Olympics, reached the top five in the world rankings the same year and shared the most intimate of relationships.
Perhaps nobody knew Buntin any better.
Now he found himself on his own, without a partner and wondering whether he'd hit the end of the road himself. Starting over wasn't just scary, it seemed almost an impossibility.
"I was getting to a point where I was saying 'what am I doing with my life, is there a girl out there for me, will I get to compete in an Olympics in my home town (in 2010)?," he said. "Wandering around my apartment going 'what now?' Making that phone call, driving all over the continent, making every tryout I could possibly I could even think of ... I learned who my friends were and who was close to me and who was in my corner.”
Buntin guesses he put 3,000 kilometres on a car he no longer owns, and that his tryout count was "pushing 10" by the end of it. Then, finally, came the light at the end of the tunnel. A light named Meagan Duhamel, who was going through her own set of doubts about her future.
Any guesses, then, why they were both grinning ear to ear about getting started at the Pepsi Colisee?
"I think we were both really excited to just come out here and skate," said Duhamel, 21, of Lively, Ont.
Added Buntin: "It's a milestone, just to step out on the ice and hear our names and hear our Canadian crowd ... it was a real big step along the way.
"But we're starting at the bottom of a mountain. We have so much to do and so much work ahead of us."
Friday was a good start. Their short program is clearly a work in progress but, with 52.78 points, they're only 1.2 behind Anabelle Langlois of Hull, Que., and Cody Hay of Grande Prairie, Alta., who were Canadian world team members last season.
High above both are Jessica Dube of St. Cyrille de Wendover, Que., and Bryce Davison of Cambridge, Ont., who have some work to do to make it back-to-back Grand Prix triumphs after posting 63.12 points for their short program.
Germans Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, the heavy favourites here, lead with 69.44.
Yeah, that's a mountain of sorts, too.
Funny how things can work out, though. Turns out Duhamel was in New Jersey getting choreography for herself — she'd originally planned to continue her singles career — when she got the call from Buntin, who'd been in the area on his tryout mission.
"I think we were actually in New Jersey at the same time," he said.
Maybe this was meant to be after all.
"Who knew," Buntin asked, "that the best girl was right in my backyard?"
That tell you more than you can ever imagine.
For Craig Buntin, it was simply hearing has name again as a pairs skater representing Canada, with a partner by his side giving him new reason for real hope.
A reason to believe.
"Just to step on that ice tonight and hear 'Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin, representing Canada' ... it felt so good," said Buntin, 27, of North Vancouver, B.C., after their short program performance Friday at HomeSense Skate Canada. "I had the biggest smile on my face."
If you'd been to the depths that Buntin endured in the past five months or so, you'd feel just as emotional about a moment that, for every world-class figure skater, is about as routine as it gets. But not when you've wondered whether something that simple would ever happen again for you.
Buntin's world was turned upside down when his longtime partner, Valerie Marcoux of Gatineau, Que., decided her heart wasn't in skating anymore and retired in April. Gone was the skater with whom he'd won three Canadian senior pairs titles, skated at the 2006 Winter Olympics, reached the top five in the world rankings the same year and shared the most intimate of relationships.
Perhaps nobody knew Buntin any better.
Now he found himself on his own, without a partner and wondering whether he'd hit the end of the road himself. Starting over wasn't just scary, it seemed almost an impossibility.
"I was getting to a point where I was saying 'what am I doing with my life, is there a girl out there for me, will I get to compete in an Olympics in my home town (in 2010)?," he said. "Wandering around my apartment going 'what now?' Making that phone call, driving all over the continent, making every tryout I could possibly I could even think of ... I learned who my friends were and who was close to me and who was in my corner.”
Buntin guesses he put 3,000 kilometres on a car he no longer owns, and that his tryout count was "pushing 10" by the end of it. Then, finally, came the light at the end of the tunnel. A light named Meagan Duhamel, who was going through her own set of doubts about her future.
Any guesses, then, why they were both grinning ear to ear about getting started at the Pepsi Colisee?
"I think we were both really excited to just come out here and skate," said Duhamel, 21, of Lively, Ont.
Added Buntin: "It's a milestone, just to step out on the ice and hear our names and hear our Canadian crowd ... it was a real big step along the way.
"But we're starting at the bottom of a mountain. We have so much to do and so much work ahead of us."
Friday was a good start. Their short program is clearly a work in progress but, with 52.78 points, they're only 1.2 behind Anabelle Langlois of Hull, Que., and Cody Hay of Grande Prairie, Alta., who were Canadian world team members last season.
High above both are Jessica Dube of St. Cyrille de Wendover, Que., and Bryce Davison of Cambridge, Ont., who have some work to do to make it back-to-back Grand Prix triumphs after posting 63.12 points for their short program.
Germans Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, the heavy favourites here, lead with 69.44.
Yeah, that's a mountain of sorts, too.
Funny how things can work out, though. Turns out Duhamel was in New Jersey getting choreography for herself — she'd originally planned to continue her singles career — when she got the call from Buntin, who'd been in the area on his tryout mission.
"I think we were actually in New Jersey at the same time," he said.
Maybe this was meant to be after all.
"Who knew," Buntin asked, "that the best girl was right in my backyard?"
Dancing Toward A Dream
They had to earn their way to Le Colisee.
But there were Allie Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno on Friday afternoon, basking in the glow of home country support in the senior ice dance compulsories at HomeSense Skate Canada. No wonder the Vancouver-based couple had smiles on their faces as bright as the yellow skirt Hann-McCurdy wore for their rendition of the Yankee Polka.
And that was before they saw the final results sheet. Hann-McCurdy and Coreno stand seventh with 25.51 points. More importantly, it was a hair in front of Kaitlyn Weaver of Houston, Tex., and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont. (25.07).
Hann-McCurdy and Coreno were eighth in their first Canadian championships as senior ice dancers last January in Halifax. That was five spots behind Weaver and Poje, who shocked just about everyone by landing a world team berth.
That's exactly where Hann-McCurdy and Coreno, the national junior champions in 2006, want to be next March, when the 2008 world championships are held in Gothenburg, Sweden. And given the events of the off-season, they've got reason to dream that big.
Five of the top seven finishers in that senior dance event last season in Halifax won't be part of the 2008 Canadian championships in Vancouver. Topping that list are two-time world silver medallists Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, who've taken the season off from the eligible skating circuit. Retirements and dissolved partnerships claimed the rest.
Look beyond all of that, and you'll see Hann-McCurdy and Coreno rank third among the returning contenders. And guess how many world team berths there are for Sweden?
"There is a door open," admitted Coreno, 23, of Toronto.
"We're aware of it, and we're totally shooting for that third worlds spot," said Hann-McCurdy, 20, who represents the Gloucester Skating Club in Ottawa. "That's our goal for the season.
"That's what's motivating us, and it's just incredibly special to be here."
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who finished a stunning sixth at the 2007 worlds in Tokyo and are the future of this discipline in Canada, should grab their first national crown in January. After that, though, it's wide open.
"It's an opportunity and we want to take advantage of it," said Hann-McCurdy.
Just like being here this week. While Virtue and Moir, who lead after the compulsories, can clearly shoot for gold, Hann-McCurdy and Coreno are here just to soak up the experience. They weren't assigned to this event until after a fourth-place finish at the Nebelhorn Trophy senior international event in Oberstdorf, Germany.
They know what's needed most to take the next step up in class, and have spent plenty of time working on it under the guidance of their coaches, former world champion Victor Kraatz and his wife, Maikki Uotila Kraatz.
"We've really, really focused on speed," said Hann-McCurdy. "That was the easiest difference to see between us and all the teams we competed against last year. That was a big focus. Other than that, just more character and energy and personality."
Added Coreno: "That's the big step, learning to do things at high speed and still make it look easy."
Hann-McCurdy, a natural brunette, had a brief fling with going blonde a few years back. Given that blue-eyed blondes are all the rage in Sweden, might Hann-McCurdy go back that way if she and her partner realize that worlds dream?
"I might have to," she said with a laugh. "But there's still a long way to go yet. I don't know ... I'll consider it."
But there were Allie Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno on Friday afternoon, basking in the glow of home country support in the senior ice dance compulsories at HomeSense Skate Canada. No wonder the Vancouver-based couple had smiles on their faces as bright as the yellow skirt Hann-McCurdy wore for their rendition of the Yankee Polka.
And that was before they saw the final results sheet. Hann-McCurdy and Coreno stand seventh with 25.51 points. More importantly, it was a hair in front of Kaitlyn Weaver of Houston, Tex., and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont. (25.07).
Hann-McCurdy and Coreno were eighth in their first Canadian championships as senior ice dancers last January in Halifax. That was five spots behind Weaver and Poje, who shocked just about everyone by landing a world team berth.
That's exactly where Hann-McCurdy and Coreno, the national junior champions in 2006, want to be next March, when the 2008 world championships are held in Gothenburg, Sweden. And given the events of the off-season, they've got reason to dream that big.
Five of the top seven finishers in that senior dance event last season in Halifax won't be part of the 2008 Canadian championships in Vancouver. Topping that list are two-time world silver medallists Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, who've taken the season off from the eligible skating circuit. Retirements and dissolved partnerships claimed the rest.
Look beyond all of that, and you'll see Hann-McCurdy and Coreno rank third among the returning contenders. And guess how many world team berths there are for Sweden?
"There is a door open," admitted Coreno, 23, of Toronto.
"We're aware of it, and we're totally shooting for that third worlds spot," said Hann-McCurdy, 20, who represents the Gloucester Skating Club in Ottawa. "That's our goal for the season.
"That's what's motivating us, and it's just incredibly special to be here."
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who finished a stunning sixth at the 2007 worlds in Tokyo and are the future of this discipline in Canada, should grab their first national crown in January. After that, though, it's wide open.
"It's an opportunity and we want to take advantage of it," said Hann-McCurdy.
Just like being here this week. While Virtue and Moir, who lead after the compulsories, can clearly shoot for gold, Hann-McCurdy and Coreno are here just to soak up the experience. They weren't assigned to this event until after a fourth-place finish at the Nebelhorn Trophy senior international event in Oberstdorf, Germany.
They know what's needed most to take the next step up in class, and have spent plenty of time working on it under the guidance of their coaches, former world champion Victor Kraatz and his wife, Maikki Uotila Kraatz.
"We've really, really focused on speed," said Hann-McCurdy. "That was the easiest difference to see between us and all the teams we competed against last year. That was a big focus. Other than that, just more character and energy and personality."
Added Coreno: "That's the big step, learning to do things at high speed and still make it look easy."
Hann-McCurdy, a natural brunette, had a brief fling with going blonde a few years back. Given that blue-eyed blondes are all the rage in Sweden, might Hann-McCurdy go back that way if she and her partner realize that worlds dream?
"I might have to," she said with a laugh. "But there's still a long way to go yet. I don't know ... I'll consider it."
Bonjour, Quebec!
No Bonhomme in sight here.
Oh, sure, there's a bit of a nip in the air on this crisp, gorgeous autumn day. But Carnaval — and the accompanying snow and winter's bite — are still many months away in this historic Quebecois city.
(insert requisite sigh of relief here).
A carnival of patinage artistique (as the French-speaking majority here would put it), though ... well, that awaits us all this weekend during HomeSense Skate Canada, which has chosen to visit Le Colisee (where the NHL's Quebec Nordiques once ruled the ice) for the annual fall event which offers the obvious reminder that a new season has indeed begun.
You are greeted by history everywhere you turn in this city (and not just the old pipes hanging over our heads in the media centre). A friendly volunteer (who, I must confess, wisely cheers for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox like moi), points out the famed Plains of Abraham on the drive in from Jean Lesage Airport.
We see the oldest active fort in North America.
Then, the narrow streets of Old Quebec that wind their way toward the majestic Chateau Frontenac, which is home base for us all this weekend.
The fun on the ice begins in a few hours with the dance compulsories. And while the two-time world silver medallists from Montreal, the elegant and charming Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, have been spotted at the hotel, they're not in the field here (actually, they won't be seen anywhere but on the tour circuit this season).
So who to watch?
Most of the top Canadians are here, including reigning national champions Jeffrey Buttle, Joannie Rochette and Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, fresh off a breakthrough triumph at Skate America in Reading, Pa.
The event also gives skating fans here a glimpse of some of the best from the rest of the world. Start with the current king of the men, France's Brian Joubert. Throw in Japan's Mao Asada (she of the effortless triple Axels) and Emily Hughes of the U.S., to name two.
We'll get to the rest as the weekend progresses (check the entry list off to the right if you can't wait).
If you followed our Halifax Chronicles at Canadians last January, you know what you'll find here. A little less of the hard-news descriptive stuff, a bit more of the human touch.
With the odd touch of whimsy thrown in here and there.
Stop by often during the weekend.
We'll do our best to make it worth your time.
Oh, sure, there's a bit of a nip in the air on this crisp, gorgeous autumn day. But Carnaval — and the accompanying snow and winter's bite — are still many months away in this historic Quebecois city.
(insert requisite sigh of relief here).
A carnival of patinage artistique (as the French-speaking majority here would put it), though ... well, that awaits us all this weekend during HomeSense Skate Canada, which has chosen to visit Le Colisee (where the NHL's Quebec Nordiques once ruled the ice) for the annual fall event which offers the obvious reminder that a new season has indeed begun.
You are greeted by history everywhere you turn in this city (and not just the old pipes hanging over our heads in the media centre). A friendly volunteer (who, I must confess, wisely cheers for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox like moi), points out the famed Plains of Abraham on the drive in from Jean Lesage Airport.
We see the oldest active fort in North America.
Then, the narrow streets of Old Quebec that wind their way toward the majestic Chateau Frontenac, which is home base for us all this weekend.
The fun on the ice begins in a few hours with the dance compulsories. And while the two-time world silver medallists from Montreal, the elegant and charming Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, have been spotted at the hotel, they're not in the field here (actually, they won't be seen anywhere but on the tour circuit this season).
So who to watch?
Most of the top Canadians are here, including reigning national champions Jeffrey Buttle, Joannie Rochette and Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, fresh off a breakthrough triumph at Skate America in Reading, Pa.
The event also gives skating fans here a glimpse of some of the best from the rest of the world. Start with the current king of the men, France's Brian Joubert. Throw in Japan's Mao Asada (she of the effortless triple Axels) and Emily Hughes of the U.S., to name two.
We'll get to the rest as the weekend progresses (check the entry list off to the right if you can't wait).
If you followed our Halifax Chronicles at Canadians last January, you know what you'll find here. A little less of the hard-news descriptive stuff, a bit more of the human touch.
With the odd touch of whimsy thrown in here and there.
Stop by often during the weekend.
We'll do our best to make it worth your time.
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