The bone-chilling temperatures offer a rather blunt reminder, as do the patches of white as my plane descends back to earth.
We're not in Vancouver anymore, Toto.
With apologies to Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, it's my way of saying our West Coast adventure has reached its end after six fabulous days in what is surely one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
It took until the last day we were there, but finally we were given a true glimpse of the majestic Coast Mountains that look down upon one of our favourite places in Canada to visit. Just for the views alone, which are nothing short of stunning.
But as I discover with each stop along the figure skating trail, there are wonderful, amazing people wherever you turn in this land of ours. People who are fiercely proud of where they're from, yet welcoming as can be to a visitor from far, far away.
It is one of the joys of being a part of all of this, the special people that are a part of the journey each year. The many friends I've made along the way in nearly 20 years of being associated with this sport, with whom I will always cherish this annual reunion known as the BMO Canadian figure skating championships.
I can't imagine going through any year without it.
But there are also the new people you meet, like Ally, Rosa, Kevin and the rest of the gang at Earls Paramount, who made their restaurant a favourite stop of mine during this particular trek (and reminded me, once again, why Earls is must-visit anytime I'm west of Ontario).
And, of course, the friendly volunteers at Pacific Coliseum, who gave me every reason to believe the world will get the warmest of receptions when the Winter Olympics come to this city in two year's time.
And so, with those thoughts, we close the book at the Left Coast Chronicles with this final chapter.
Thanks, too, to all of you who took the time to follow along with our 'alternative' view of this event. We don't profess to be 'seriously West Coast,' as one of the Vancouver dailies bills itself, but we do our level best to share the personal stories of the best group of young athletes you'd ever want to meet (and thanks to all who shared theirs).
So now it's bon voyage, B.C.
Next stop, Saskatoon, and the 2009 BMO Canadian championships (with a little pit stop right in my backyard at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa for HomeSense Skate Canada in the fall).
See you all again soon.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
A Vancouver High Five
And so, the lights have been dimmed for another year.
One more Canadian figure skating championships in the book.
Another set of memories to savour.
We've all got 'em, many of them pretty much the same. None of us will soon forget the Saturday afternoon 17-year-old Patrick Chan announced he's not just the future of men's skating in Canada, he's very much a part of its present. He's a refreshing young guy and his remarkable free skate might well have been the performance of the week.
If not, that distinction had to go to ice dance prodigies Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, whose Umbrellas of Cherbourg free program already has plenty of tongues wagging about just how far they might climb at the world championships in Sweden a couple of months from now.
On a weekend of newness, Joannie Rochette had what it took to stay on top of the senior women's class for a fourth straight year. Say what you will about the state of what's below her, but that kind of a run of sustained excellence isn't anything to be taken lightly.
These are but a handful of things we'll remember, and some might suggest we're merely just stating the obvious.
Point well taken, I suppose.
But, following along with the 'alternative' theme that drives the blog, a few memories of my own, a personal 'high five' if you will:
1) When you're in the newspaper business, as I was for so many years, you hear all the time about the detachment we're supposed to feel towards it all. That we're not supposed invest ourselves emotionally in the people and the things we cover. But sometimes, it's much easier said than done and you can't help but care. And there's nobody I felt happier for this weekend than Anabelle Langlois, the fiery little pairs skater from Gatineau, Que. I've watched her show up at this event for so many years, a national title all but within her grasp more than once. As the crushing disappointments began to add up, Langlois began to wonder if she'd ever win. But as she bounded up to the stop of podium Sunday afternoon with Cody Hay, the young buck from Alberta she always believed was exactly the right partner, Langlois finally knew. That yes, it was true: Finally, she is a Canadian champion.
2) We crossed paths so many times this week that 'you again?' became almost a running joke between us. But truth be told, I can never see enough of folks like Shae-Lynn Bourne. She's one of those quality people who have more than anything to do with why I continue to cherish the time I spend around this sport. Bourne and Victor Kraatz were the honorary chairs for this week's nationals, and seeing them together brought to mind so many of the great memories they gave us all during their remarkable career. Especially when they Riverdanced onto the ice for the Parade of Champions, and later gave us a further glimpse of some of the trademark moves we remember so well. If they're getting a thought in their head that they might like to perform again together on the ice, well, count me among the first to say I'm there to watch.
3) The folks from Skate Canada talked a lot at the outset of this week about bringing their 'alumni' back into the fold, to re-establish that link to a vibrant past. And why should they not? I'm all for seeing plenty more of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, who were front and centre during an emotional Hall of Fame induction ceremony today. Kurt Browning, Brian Orser, Tracy Wilson, Bourne and Kraatz ... just to name a few. They've all played a major hand in crafting the rich history of this sport in our country. And it is a history we should celebrate whenever we can, and a past we should work overtime to pass along to the next generation coming down the pipe.
4) Often, when we're looking back like this, the winners are the first to come to mind. But sometimes, if you look beyond the podium, you'll find a moment that has nothing to do with winning a medal. Lesley Hawker reminded us once again, as she often does, that there is only one best reason for doing any sport. That if you don't love pretty much every second of it, you shouldn't even be there. Hawker dissolved into tears at the end of a special free skate Sunday afternoon that, at the end of the day, mattered nothing to the final medal standings. But it meant everything to her. She wondered aloud later why the tears came, but when you care as much as Hawker does, well, these things happen. We should all have that kind of passion somewhere in our lives.
5) I've often said events like this can offer up quite the geography lesson. Maybe never more than this year, when we saw great stories authored by young athletes with addresses such as Wawota, Sask., and Salisbury, N.B. Small towns that are an integral part of the fabric of this country we call Canada. In these burgs, we find skating clubs that make up in energy what they lack in numbers. A Kelsey McNeil, Paige Lawrence or Rudi Swiegers is celebrated like perhaps nowhere else, living proof that dreams can indeed come true, no matter where you're from. And really, isn't that, when you get right down to it, the essence of that thing we love called sport?
One more Canadian figure skating championships in the book.
Another set of memories to savour.
We've all got 'em, many of them pretty much the same. None of us will soon forget the Saturday afternoon 17-year-old Patrick Chan announced he's not just the future of men's skating in Canada, he's very much a part of its present. He's a refreshing young guy and his remarkable free skate might well have been the performance of the week.
If not, that distinction had to go to ice dance prodigies Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, whose Umbrellas of Cherbourg free program already has plenty of tongues wagging about just how far they might climb at the world championships in Sweden a couple of months from now.
On a weekend of newness, Joannie Rochette had what it took to stay on top of the senior women's class for a fourth straight year. Say what you will about the state of what's below her, but that kind of a run of sustained excellence isn't anything to be taken lightly.
These are but a handful of things we'll remember, and some might suggest we're merely just stating the obvious.
Point well taken, I suppose.
But, following along with the 'alternative' theme that drives the blog, a few memories of my own, a personal 'high five' if you will:
1) When you're in the newspaper business, as I was for so many years, you hear all the time about the detachment we're supposed to feel towards it all. That we're not supposed invest ourselves emotionally in the people and the things we cover. But sometimes, it's much easier said than done and you can't help but care. And there's nobody I felt happier for this weekend than Anabelle Langlois, the fiery little pairs skater from Gatineau, Que. I've watched her show up at this event for so many years, a national title all but within her grasp more than once. As the crushing disappointments began to add up, Langlois began to wonder if she'd ever win. But as she bounded up to the stop of podium Sunday afternoon with Cody Hay, the young buck from Alberta she always believed was exactly the right partner, Langlois finally knew. That yes, it was true: Finally, she is a Canadian champion.
2) We crossed paths so many times this week that 'you again?' became almost a running joke between us. But truth be told, I can never see enough of folks like Shae-Lynn Bourne. She's one of those quality people who have more than anything to do with why I continue to cherish the time I spend around this sport. Bourne and Victor Kraatz were the honorary chairs for this week's nationals, and seeing them together brought to mind so many of the great memories they gave us all during their remarkable career. Especially when they Riverdanced onto the ice for the Parade of Champions, and later gave us a further glimpse of some of the trademark moves we remember so well. If they're getting a thought in their head that they might like to perform again together on the ice, well, count me among the first to say I'm there to watch.
3) The folks from Skate Canada talked a lot at the outset of this week about bringing their 'alumni' back into the fold, to re-establish that link to a vibrant past. And why should they not? I'm all for seeing plenty more of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, who were front and centre during an emotional Hall of Fame induction ceremony today. Kurt Browning, Brian Orser, Tracy Wilson, Bourne and Kraatz ... just to name a few. They've all played a major hand in crafting the rich history of this sport in our country. And it is a history we should celebrate whenever we can, and a past we should work overtime to pass along to the next generation coming down the pipe.
4) Often, when we're looking back like this, the winners are the first to come to mind. But sometimes, if you look beyond the podium, you'll find a moment that has nothing to do with winning a medal. Lesley Hawker reminded us once again, as she often does, that there is only one best reason for doing any sport. That if you don't love pretty much every second of it, you shouldn't even be there. Hawker dissolved into tears at the end of a special free skate Sunday afternoon that, at the end of the day, mattered nothing to the final medal standings. But it meant everything to her. She wondered aloud later why the tears came, but when you care as much as Hawker does, well, these things happen. We should all have that kind of passion somewhere in our lives.
5) I've often said events like this can offer up quite the geography lesson. Maybe never more than this year, when we saw great stories authored by young athletes with addresses such as Wawota, Sask., and Salisbury, N.B. Small towns that are an integral part of the fabric of this country we call Canada. In these burgs, we find skating clubs that make up in energy what they lack in numbers. A Kelsey McNeil, Paige Lawrence or Rudi Swiegers is celebrated like perhaps nowhere else, living proof that dreams can indeed come true, no matter where you're from. And really, isn't that, when you get right down to it, the essence of that thing we love called sport?
Forever A Love Story
Almost from the moment the first notes began to play, that melody we all know so well, the love fest began anew.
And Jamie Sale and David Pelletier knew, as they listened to the piece of music that changed their life, why it means so much to be remembered this way.
Why the tears would flow, and so uncontrollably at times.
But in the end, the world and Olympic pairs champions had their day, exactly the way they wanted it. In front of people who meant to much to them in their careers. And with adoring the fans, with whom they've always savoured a special connection, looking upon it all.
Powerful stuff, both admitted later, about their official induction into Skate Canada's Hall of Fame on the final day of the 2008 BMO Canadian figure skating championships at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver.
"At home, when we’re watching an induction or a tribute or retirement, they start crying and we always say ‘why are they crying?’ ” said Sale after the emotional on-ice ceremony. "It’s a happy thing and they’ve had a great career. We never feel like it’s an emotional thing.
"But you know what it is? You have to be in that moment, and you don’t really understand until you’re in that moment. It’s powerful. And you start reflecting and thinking about what you’ve really done together. So yeah, it is emotional and we really get it now."
And the reminder was right there for everyone to see. A tribute video, with words from people who mattered the most in their skating lives — coach Jan Ullmark, choreographer Lori Nichol (who crafted the brilliant Love Story free program that will be linked to these two forever), Skate Canada president Benoit Lavoie and Debbi Wilkes, the former Olympic pairs silver medallist.
The memories? They've had a few. Most notably the unveiling of Love Story, and the first Canadian title it brought Sale and Pelletier in Calgary in 2000. The world title a year later, right here in Vancouver. And of course, Olympic glory in Salt Lake City in 2002.
Given that remarkable moment at General Motors Place seven years ago, perhaps this was exactly the right city for their induction to happen. But Pelletier went one step further.
"I think it’s the right country," he said. "Canadian fans are just the best and even when Skate Canada asked us, how would you like to have it ... I said I wanted it among the fans.
"The best part for me was to do it in front of the fans. And to share it with the fans. Without them, there’s no skating."
And without each other, there would have been none of this. Yes, we were all reminded, by one poignant photo (with a lovely child) and their words, that this is indeed a real-life love story. One that will last long beyond their skating days.
"The best part? I was being inducted with him," Sale said with a loving glance toward Pelletier, the love of her life. "Everything was great. It’s hard to pick one thing that was the best. But I’m just so grateful that I’ve had the career I’ve had with David.
"At the end, he’s been a great partner, he’s a great husband and a great father. I couldn’t ask for a better person to spend my life with and have a career with."
For those of us who have been so fortunate, what a privilege it has been to be a part of it all. And one more time on this special days of theirs.
And Jamie Sale and David Pelletier knew, as they listened to the piece of music that changed their life, why it means so much to be remembered this way.
Why the tears would flow, and so uncontrollably at times.
But in the end, the world and Olympic pairs champions had their day, exactly the way they wanted it. In front of people who meant to much to them in their careers. And with adoring the fans, with whom they've always savoured a special connection, looking upon it all.
Powerful stuff, both admitted later, about their official induction into Skate Canada's Hall of Fame on the final day of the 2008 BMO Canadian figure skating championships at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver.
"At home, when we’re watching an induction or a tribute or retirement, they start crying and we always say ‘why are they crying?’ ” said Sale after the emotional on-ice ceremony. "It’s a happy thing and they’ve had a great career. We never feel like it’s an emotional thing.
"But you know what it is? You have to be in that moment, and you don’t really understand until you’re in that moment. It’s powerful. And you start reflecting and thinking about what you’ve really done together. So yeah, it is emotional and we really get it now."
And the reminder was right there for everyone to see. A tribute video, with words from people who mattered the most in their skating lives — coach Jan Ullmark, choreographer Lori Nichol (who crafted the brilliant Love Story free program that will be linked to these two forever), Skate Canada president Benoit Lavoie and Debbi Wilkes, the former Olympic pairs silver medallist.
The memories? They've had a few. Most notably the unveiling of Love Story, and the first Canadian title it brought Sale and Pelletier in Calgary in 2000. The world title a year later, right here in Vancouver. And of course, Olympic glory in Salt Lake City in 2002.
Given that remarkable moment at General Motors Place seven years ago, perhaps this was exactly the right city for their induction to happen. But Pelletier went one step further.
"I think it’s the right country," he said. "Canadian fans are just the best and even when Skate Canada asked us, how would you like to have it ... I said I wanted it among the fans.
"The best part for me was to do it in front of the fans. And to share it with the fans. Without them, there’s no skating."
And without each other, there would have been none of this. Yes, we were all reminded, by one poignant photo (with a lovely child) and their words, that this is indeed a real-life love story. One that will last long beyond their skating days.
"The best part? I was being inducted with him," Sale said with a loving glance toward Pelletier, the love of her life. "Everything was great. It’s hard to pick one thing that was the best. But I’m just so grateful that I’ve had the career I’ve had with David.
"At the end, he’s been a great partner, he’s a great husband and a great father. I couldn’t ask for a better person to spend my life with and have a career with."
For those of us who have been so fortunate, what a privilege it has been to be a part of it all. And one more time on this special days of theirs.
How Swede It Is
So the last chapter has finally been written.
The book closed on another Canadian figure skating championships.
For 16 of the best this week in Vancouver, it's just the next step, though, on a journey that will hit its final stop in March in Gothenburg, Sweden — site of the 2008 world championships.
No surprises in the Canadian world team announced today:
Men — Patrick Chan, Toronto; Jeff Buttle, Smooth Rock Falls, Ont.
Women — Joannie Rochette, Ile-Dupas, Que.; Mira Leung, Vancouver.
Pairs — Anabelle Langlois, Gatineau, Que., and Cody Hay, Grande Prairie, Alta.; Jessica Dube, St. Cyrille de Wendover, Que., and Bryce Davison, Cambridge, Ont.; Megan Duhamel, Lively, Ont., and Craig Buntin, Kelowna, B.C.
Dance — Tessa Virtue, London, Ont., and Scott Moir, Ilderton, Ont.; Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, Waterloo, Ont.; Allie Hann-McCurdy, Orleans, Ont., and Michael Coreno, Delhi, Ont.
The same team heads to the Four Continents Championship, Feb. 11-17 in Goyang City, Korea, with two exceptions: Chan and Dube/Davison. Shawn Sawyer of Edmundston, N.B., and Edmonton's Vaughn Chipeur are the additions to the men's team; Cynthia Phaneuf of Contrecoeur, Que., gets a women's trip, and Jessica Miller of Villa Hills, Ky., and Montreal's Ian Moram are replacements in pairs.
***
The team for the world junior championships, Feb. 25-March 2 in Sofia, Bulgaria, was also named today. It consists of the following:
Men — Kevin Reynolds, Coquitlam, B.C.; Elladj Balde, Pierrefonds, Que., and Jeremy Ten, Vancouver.
Women — Myriane Samson, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.
Pairs — Amanda Velenosi, Laval, Que., and Mark Fernandez, Brossard, Que.; Monica Pisotta, Barrie, Ont., and Michael Stewart, Mississauga, Ont.
Dance — Vanessa Crone, Aurora, Ont., and Paul Poirier, Unionville, Ont.; Joanna Lenko and Mitchell Islam, Barrie, Ont.; Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill, Toronto.
The book closed on another Canadian figure skating championships.
For 16 of the best this week in Vancouver, it's just the next step, though, on a journey that will hit its final stop in March in Gothenburg, Sweden — site of the 2008 world championships.
No surprises in the Canadian world team announced today:
Men — Patrick Chan, Toronto; Jeff Buttle, Smooth Rock Falls, Ont.
Women — Joannie Rochette, Ile-Dupas, Que.; Mira Leung, Vancouver.
Pairs — Anabelle Langlois, Gatineau, Que., and Cody Hay, Grande Prairie, Alta.; Jessica Dube, St. Cyrille de Wendover, Que., and Bryce Davison, Cambridge, Ont.; Megan Duhamel, Lively, Ont., and Craig Buntin, Kelowna, B.C.
Dance — Tessa Virtue, London, Ont., and Scott Moir, Ilderton, Ont.; Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, Waterloo, Ont.; Allie Hann-McCurdy, Orleans, Ont., and Michael Coreno, Delhi, Ont.
The same team heads to the Four Continents Championship, Feb. 11-17 in Goyang City, Korea, with two exceptions: Chan and Dube/Davison. Shawn Sawyer of Edmundston, N.B., and Edmonton's Vaughn Chipeur are the additions to the men's team; Cynthia Phaneuf of Contrecoeur, Que., gets a women's trip, and Jessica Miller of Villa Hills, Ky., and Montreal's Ian Moram are replacements in pairs.
***
The team for the world junior championships, Feb. 25-March 2 in Sofia, Bulgaria, was also named today. It consists of the following:
Men — Kevin Reynolds, Coquitlam, B.C.; Elladj Balde, Pierrefonds, Que., and Jeremy Ten, Vancouver.
Women — Myriane Samson, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.
Pairs — Amanda Velenosi, Laval, Que., and Mark Fernandez, Brossard, Que.; Monica Pisotta, Barrie, Ont., and Michael Stewart, Mississauga, Ont.
Dance — Vanessa Crone, Aurora, Ont., and Paul Poirier, Unionville, Ont.; Joanna Lenko and Mitchell Islam, Barrie, Ont.; Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill, Toronto.
Rise (And Shine) Back To The Top
Joannie Rochette admits she isn't a morning person.
Being on the ice before noon? Not exactly her cup of tea.
But there it was, loud and clear on the schedule for the BMO Canadian figure skating championships in Vancouver.
Women's free skate. 8:45 a.m. Pacific Coliseum.
“This was a tough test this week," Rochette admitted Sunday after putting on lock on her fourth straight Canadian women's crown. "Sunday morning, 8:45. I’m not a morning person, I hate mornings.
"But I was still able to come here with a smile this morning. My coach (Manon Perron) was impressed with that. But it’s good practice. You have to be ready to do your job any time, any hour of the day.”
Rochette did it much better than the rest on Sunday and, because of that, became the only defending champion in the senior events to walk out of the building with that standing still intact. New champs emerged in the other three events. That hasn't happened at Canadians since 1995.
Needless to say, Rochette was happy she was able to prevent the complete sweep (that last occurred in 1989). And with six family members in the house, all of whom made the long trip across the country from Ile-Dupas, Que., it was an emotional occasion for the 22-year-old queen of Canadian skating.
“It’s nationals, it’s in front of your friends," she said. "It’s great that (my family) came and supported me and I wanted to skate up to my potential in front of them.”
Perfectionist that she is, Rochette would be the first to tell you that didn't quite happen. She felt her free programs during the Grand Prix season were stronger, and believes there's plenty of room for improvement before the world championships in Sweden in March.
“I really liked what Jeff (Buttle) said. It’s better to come second with a good performance than to come first with a bad one," said Rochette. "Even though this wasn’t my best, I still felt it was a good program. That’s all that matters.”
Rochette's grip on the national title was a little bit tenuous after the short program — her lead over Vancouver's Mira Leung was a mere 1.08 points. But when Leung had a sub-par performance, it pretty much lifted all the heat off Rochette.
The final totals: Rochette, 175.76; Leung, 162.10.
"“I am very disappointed, and I really hate that I made those mistakes," said Leung afterward. Especially the second flip, I felt like I was too close to the boards ... It was horrible."
Cynthia Phaneuf, meanwhile, was all smiles after returning to the podium at Canadians for the first time since 2005. With a 158.10 total, she just held of Lesley Hawker of Barrie, Ont. (155.61), who turned in the day's second-best free skate in nearly winning her third straight bronze after placing seventh in the short.
"I was very happy to be back on ice," said Phaneuf, 19, the 2004 Canadian champ from Contrecoeur, Que. "This year, I was a lot more stronger. I wasn't as nervous as I was last year.
"It was more fun to skate in this competition than last year."
It's fun — and good — to be the queen, too. For the fourth straight year, that's the petite champion from the little village east of Montreal.
"Oh yes, it feels really good," Rochette said about retaining her crown.
No small feat. Not in Vancouver, not this year.
Being on the ice before noon? Not exactly her cup of tea.
But there it was, loud and clear on the schedule for the BMO Canadian figure skating championships in Vancouver.
Women's free skate. 8:45 a.m. Pacific Coliseum.
“This was a tough test this week," Rochette admitted Sunday after putting on lock on her fourth straight Canadian women's crown. "Sunday morning, 8:45. I’m not a morning person, I hate mornings.
"But I was still able to come here with a smile this morning. My coach (Manon Perron) was impressed with that. But it’s good practice. You have to be ready to do your job any time, any hour of the day.”
Rochette did it much better than the rest on Sunday and, because of that, became the only defending champion in the senior events to walk out of the building with that standing still intact. New champs emerged in the other three events. That hasn't happened at Canadians since 1995.
Needless to say, Rochette was happy she was able to prevent the complete sweep (that last occurred in 1989). And with six family members in the house, all of whom made the long trip across the country from Ile-Dupas, Que., it was an emotional occasion for the 22-year-old queen of Canadian skating.
“It’s nationals, it’s in front of your friends," she said. "It’s great that (my family) came and supported me and I wanted to skate up to my potential in front of them.”
Perfectionist that she is, Rochette would be the first to tell you that didn't quite happen. She felt her free programs during the Grand Prix season were stronger, and believes there's plenty of room for improvement before the world championships in Sweden in March.
“I really liked what Jeff (Buttle) said. It’s better to come second with a good performance than to come first with a bad one," said Rochette. "Even though this wasn’t my best, I still felt it was a good program. That’s all that matters.”
Rochette's grip on the national title was a little bit tenuous after the short program — her lead over Vancouver's Mira Leung was a mere 1.08 points. But when Leung had a sub-par performance, it pretty much lifted all the heat off Rochette.
The final totals: Rochette, 175.76; Leung, 162.10.
"“I am very disappointed, and I really hate that I made those mistakes," said Leung afterward. Especially the second flip, I felt like I was too close to the boards ... It was horrible."
Cynthia Phaneuf, meanwhile, was all smiles after returning to the podium at Canadians for the first time since 2005. With a 158.10 total, she just held of Lesley Hawker of Barrie, Ont. (155.61), who turned in the day's second-best free skate in nearly winning her third straight bronze after placing seventh in the short.
"I was very happy to be back on ice," said Phaneuf, 19, the 2004 Canadian champ from Contrecoeur, Que. "This year, I was a lot more stronger. I wasn't as nervous as I was last year.
"It was more fun to skate in this competition than last year."
It's fun — and good — to be the queen, too. For the fourth straight year, that's the petite champion from the little village east of Montreal.
"Oh yes, it feels really good," Rochette said about retaining her crown.
No small feat. Not in Vancouver, not this year.
Now That's More Like It
So the question was posed once more, as it almost inevitably is, whenever Lesley Hawker puts a wrap on her skating duties at the Canadian championships.
What's next in the future for you?
Mrs. Doherty, who is neither shy nor retiring, didn't hesitate.
"Triple Axel and a triple-triple (combination) is probably in my mind," said Hawker, who made it clear she'll continue her quest to keep on being like that proverbial bottle of wine, getting finer with age.
Oh yes, age. What's that thing they say about it? That it's all relative.
This, you see, is one of those classic late bloomers. And while so many folks see the 26 by her name and want to break out the rocking chair for her, Hawker would rather throw on a pair of skates and find new ways to launch herself into the air.
Doesn't exactly sound like a golden oldie to you, does it?
Hawker came to Vancouver with the biggest of dreams and goals at these Canadian figure skating championships. This was the year, she figured, that she could make a run for the top of the podium. Especially after she came oh so close to landing herself on Canada's world team a year ago in Halifax (where the legend of Mrs. Doherty, you might recall, first sprang to life along with the blog. Coincidence? I think not).
Anyways, Hawker pretty much put herself out of the running for the big prize with one critical mistake (a triple flip that was doubled) in the short program. She seemed in decent spirits afterwards but if you know anything about this spunky young (yes, I said it) lady, you know this had to hurt big-time inside.
"Sometimes, I try way too hard because I really like what I do," Hawker admitted Sunday.
And see, that's the thing right there. Most people involved in this sport have a true passion for it. But you won't meet many who outwardly express such a love for skating as much as Mrs. D.
So there she was Sunday morning — her spirits no doubt pumped up by Jamie Doherty, her (not anywhere-near-mad) scientist husband — laying down one of those special free skates (the second-best on the day) that had 'em on their feet at Pacific Coliseum. And Mrs. Doherty gushing a river of tears that just made her all the more endearing (if that's possible) to this crowd.
Sweet vindication? You betcha.
"I just went out there today and said 'you know what, this crowd's great, I really like doing this, and I'm just going to enjoy myself,' ” she said.
Those tears? Oh, they were very good ones.
"I don't know why I'm crying," Mrs. D, who wound up fourth — and, most importantly, back on the national team — said afterward. "It's stressful, this skating thing."
But Hawker wouldn't give it up for the world. She's already indicated she wants to stay around through the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, chasing the biggest dream of them all. Even if lots of other folks think she shouldn't be so forward thinking.
"Seeing as I'm so ancient, everybody, I take it one day at a time because I'm practically in the geriatric ward," Hawker said playfully in front of a group of reporters (and how could the blog, which lives for this kind of stuff, pass on posting a line like that).
"I train with Todd Eldredge (in suburban Detroit), who didn't land his first quad until he was 30. Elvis (Stojko) was 30-plus and contending at world championships, so I really don't think age is an issue at all."
And yes, she's very aware of the story authored Saturday by 26-year-old Anabelle Langlois of Gatineau, Que., who finally won her first Canadian senior pairs title after so many years of trying.
Funny, too, that Hawker got just about as many hugs as Langlois from people who were just genuinely happy for the little lady from Barrie, Ont. All of them knowing how much it meant to Hawker to leave this place with a big smile on her face.
And while we all love seeing young stars such as Patrick Chan, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir grab the torch for Canadian skating and run with it, shouldn't there be room, too, for people like Langlois and Hawker, both still very much young at heart?
Maybe it's just me, but I find their stories make figure skating more compelling, and you can't help wanting to cheer for them both. You might even say that, for some of us, it's one more reason to watch.
Leave it to Mrs. D, though, to come up with another one.
A couple of nights ago, I'm standing there while she's talking to a TV producer who used to work on hockey but was now part of the figure skating crew. And quite liking it.
Hawker — and her quick wit — couldn't resist this gem.
"Well, we do smell better," she said (oh sure, bring the olfactory senses — now there's a good science word — into it).
Hey, whatever works for you.
What's next in the future for you?
Mrs. Doherty, who is neither shy nor retiring, didn't hesitate.
"Triple Axel and a triple-triple (combination) is probably in my mind," said Hawker, who made it clear she'll continue her quest to keep on being like that proverbial bottle of wine, getting finer with age.
Oh yes, age. What's that thing they say about it? That it's all relative.
This, you see, is one of those classic late bloomers. And while so many folks see the 26 by her name and want to break out the rocking chair for her, Hawker would rather throw on a pair of skates and find new ways to launch herself into the air.
Doesn't exactly sound like a golden oldie to you, does it?
Hawker came to Vancouver with the biggest of dreams and goals at these Canadian figure skating championships. This was the year, she figured, that she could make a run for the top of the podium. Especially after she came oh so close to landing herself on Canada's world team a year ago in Halifax (where the legend of Mrs. Doherty, you might recall, first sprang to life along with the blog. Coincidence? I think not).
Anyways, Hawker pretty much put herself out of the running for the big prize with one critical mistake (a triple flip that was doubled) in the short program. She seemed in decent spirits afterwards but if you know anything about this spunky young (yes, I said it) lady, you know this had to hurt big-time inside.
"Sometimes, I try way too hard because I really like what I do," Hawker admitted Sunday.
And see, that's the thing right there. Most people involved in this sport have a true passion for it. But you won't meet many who outwardly express such a love for skating as much as Mrs. D.
So there she was Sunday morning — her spirits no doubt pumped up by Jamie Doherty, her (not anywhere-near-mad) scientist husband — laying down one of those special free skates (the second-best on the day) that had 'em on their feet at Pacific Coliseum. And Mrs. Doherty gushing a river of tears that just made her all the more endearing (if that's possible) to this crowd.
Sweet vindication? You betcha.
"I just went out there today and said 'you know what, this crowd's great, I really like doing this, and I'm just going to enjoy myself,' ” she said.
Those tears? Oh, they were very good ones.
"I don't know why I'm crying," Mrs. D, who wound up fourth — and, most importantly, back on the national team — said afterward. "It's stressful, this skating thing."
But Hawker wouldn't give it up for the world. She's already indicated she wants to stay around through the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, chasing the biggest dream of them all. Even if lots of other folks think she shouldn't be so forward thinking.
"Seeing as I'm so ancient, everybody, I take it one day at a time because I'm practically in the geriatric ward," Hawker said playfully in front of a group of reporters (and how could the blog, which lives for this kind of stuff, pass on posting a line like that).
"I train with Todd Eldredge (in suburban Detroit), who didn't land his first quad until he was 30. Elvis (Stojko) was 30-plus and contending at world championships, so I really don't think age is an issue at all."
And yes, she's very aware of the story authored Saturday by 26-year-old Anabelle Langlois of Gatineau, Que., who finally won her first Canadian senior pairs title after so many years of trying.
Funny, too, that Hawker got just about as many hugs as Langlois from people who were just genuinely happy for the little lady from Barrie, Ont. All of them knowing how much it meant to Hawker to leave this place with a big smile on her face.
And while we all love seeing young stars such as Patrick Chan, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir grab the torch for Canadian skating and run with it, shouldn't there be room, too, for people like Langlois and Hawker, both still very much young at heart?
Maybe it's just me, but I find their stories make figure skating more compelling, and you can't help wanting to cheer for them both. You might even say that, for some of us, it's one more reason to watch.
Leave it to Mrs. D, though, to come up with another one.
A couple of nights ago, I'm standing there while she's talking to a TV producer who used to work on hockey but was now part of the figure skating crew. And quite liking it.
Hawker — and her quick wit — couldn't resist this gem.
"Well, we do smell better," she said (oh sure, bring the olfactory senses — now there's a good science word — into it).
Hey, whatever works for you.
One More To Go
So the women's free skate is about to begin.
One more set of medals to hand out before we call it a Canadian figure skating championships for another year. Normally, we're writing about ice dance at this point but this hasn't been your average schedule for this event (CBC's needs and the fact we're in the Pacific time zone are said to be the reasons).
Anyways, it's the first time in a long time (I'm guessing 1995) since we've anything other than dance on the final day. But we'll adapt.
Interesting storyline here, as Joannie Rochette of Ile-Dupas, Que., tries to avoid being another defending champion to fall (after Jeffrey Buttle and Jessica Dube/Bryce Davison lost their crowns on Saturday). She'll have to hold off Vancouver's Mira Leung and vastly improved Myriane Samson of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., to make it four straight Canadian titles.
The women haven't skated since Friday, which partly explains why we haven't provided much to read about the life and times of the blog's biggest fan/avid reader, Lesley Hawker (a.k.a. Mrs. Doherty), in this space. Mrs. D put herself in a bit of pickle in the short program by finishing seventh and has some major work to do to get herself back on the podium for a third straight year.
But she was in good spirits on Friday night, saying she planned to "show 'em what I've got" in today's free skate. We tried to help by offering up some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies — which are in abundance in the media room and, you might recall from last year, a Mrs. D favourite — but she politely passed. Competition mode, you know.
Besides, she said (in reference to her big mistake Friday) "girls who don't land triple flips don't get chocolate chip cookies."
Ah, that's our girl, that Lesley.
The blog just wouldn't be the blog without her.
***
A 'how the other half lives' anecdote ...
Four of us went off to Morton's steak house (a favoured playground of the upper crust) for a late-night dinner Friday. And what a fine meal they lay out, indeed.
As we were walking out, noticed what appeared to be a bunch of storage cabinets filled with bottles of wine, each of them with a personal nameplate. Apparently, they're used by some to stock their favourite wines so they're right their waiting for them the next time they're in for dinner (why waste time on a wine list, right?).
Yeah, that's not your average restaurant, is it?
One more set of medals to hand out before we call it a Canadian figure skating championships for another year. Normally, we're writing about ice dance at this point but this hasn't been your average schedule for this event (CBC's needs and the fact we're in the Pacific time zone are said to be the reasons).
Anyways, it's the first time in a long time (I'm guessing 1995) since we've anything other than dance on the final day. But we'll adapt.
Interesting storyline here, as Joannie Rochette of Ile-Dupas, Que., tries to avoid being another defending champion to fall (after Jeffrey Buttle and Jessica Dube/Bryce Davison lost their crowns on Saturday). She'll have to hold off Vancouver's Mira Leung and vastly improved Myriane Samson of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., to make it four straight Canadian titles.
The women haven't skated since Friday, which partly explains why we haven't provided much to read about the life and times of the blog's biggest fan/avid reader, Lesley Hawker (a.k.a. Mrs. Doherty), in this space. Mrs. D put herself in a bit of pickle in the short program by finishing seventh and has some major work to do to get herself back on the podium for a third straight year.
But she was in good spirits on Friday night, saying she planned to "show 'em what I've got" in today's free skate. We tried to help by offering up some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies — which are in abundance in the media room and, you might recall from last year, a Mrs. D favourite — but she politely passed. Competition mode, you know.
Besides, she said (in reference to her big mistake Friday) "girls who don't land triple flips don't get chocolate chip cookies."
Ah, that's our girl, that Lesley.
The blog just wouldn't be the blog without her.
***
A 'how the other half lives' anecdote ...
Four of us went off to Morton's steak house (a favoured playground of the upper crust) for a late-night dinner Friday. And what a fine meal they lay out, indeed.
As we were walking out, noticed what appeared to be a bunch of storage cabinets filled with bottles of wine, each of them with a personal nameplate. Apparently, they're used by some to stock their favourite wines so they're right their waiting for them the next time they're in for dinner (why waste time on a wine list, right?).
Yeah, that's not your average restaurant, is it?
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