Better Later Than Never

The folks at Skate Canada are trying all kinds of things to rekindle interest in the Canadian championships.
You'll notice, for example, that there's nothing random about the starting order for the free skates in senior events. It's simply the reverse order of the finish in the short program.
More exciting for fans. Makes for some dramatic television, too.
One heck of a great idea, if you ask me (some might even suggest it's something that's long overdue).
Here's another thing you'll notice — it's Wednesday, and we're just getting started into the competition. Gone are those qualifying rounds for senior men and women that used to turn the week into a bit of a marathon for those involved.
But, as three-time Canadian women's champion Joannie Rochette points out, the qualifying rounds have been dumped at the world championships. Might as well do the same here, then, right?
"i didn't mind the qualifying rounds," said Rochette, a bright young woman who celebrated her 22nd birthday on Sunday. "It was a good warmup for the competition.
"But actually, it's more like worlds now. It makes sense that they follow what they're doing. When we used to have qualifying at worlds, it made sense to have qualifying here."
Makes sense to me, too.
***
I've learned my first bit of useful directions around Pacific Coliseum.
The mountains, they tell me, are north of the building. So if you want or need to head south ... well, you know the rest.
I suppose that's also why they're referred to as the North Shore Mountains. Gee, something else that makes sense.
***
Mrs. Doherty was spotted in the house today.
Guess these championships can now officially begin.