Variations on a theme of Canadian Nationals

Part II

by Megi

Biggest disappointment

Definitely Marcoux and Buntin. After a very good season last year I was expecting a lot from them. Unfortunately, I was disappointed since the first pairs’ practice I attended. M/B were looking very shaky, not only in the jumps, but in the pairs elements, too. About 4 of the lifts they attempted went down during that session. The SP was not any better than that. They were the last pair to go in the final flight.

At the warm-up Craig fell on a 3toe and crashed into the boards. He slammed the board with his skate and therefore making a lot of noise. He was really hilarious after that going to the boards and checking if they’re ok. When he landed a toe short after that he did kind of a victory loop. He's just too funny! When it was their turn to skate, I was thinking "God, please let him land the toe" and guess what, he landed it, it was Valerie who missed. The throw was not the best quality either. I though that they should place below Utako Wakamatsu and Jean-Sebastien Fecteau. The LP was about the same quality. Valerie and Craig missed badly one set of their triple toes and were very shaky in some of their pairs elements. I’d have them second again but by a slow margin. I don’t have any problems with them defending the title overall. My main concern is Craig’s form; to his usual jump problems he’s become unsteady in the lifts. You could really tell it comparing to Fecteau. I really hope they can do something about that by the time Worlds roll around.

Biggest highlight

Utako Wakamatsu and Jean-Sebastien Facteau and their gorgeous program were definitely one of the highlights for me. Gorgeous programs – short to “The Swan” was lovely, classical thing, long to the “Last Emperor” soundtrack. This was a great music for them. More importantly, Utako was landing beautiful throws which is a great progress for this team knowing how they struggled in this department last season. And as I said before, they’re very steady (well, except of a mistake on the death spiral in the LP), all moves are finished, programs are wonderfully choreographed. Also, Utako and Jean Sebastien developed “skating as one” quality. I’m thrilled to see them going to Worlds for the first time together.

Also, major congratulations to Richard Gauthier who’ll have 3 out of four teams he coaches competing at Worlds.

Also, honorary mention to Lauren Senft and Leif Gislason – 2004 Jr Canadian Silver medalists in ice dance, who competed for the first time in Senior this year. After a shaky Compulsory Dance, they delivered a great OD and FD which is my favorite one of the season so far. It’s choreographed by Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas. Even though I’ve never been a fan of these two, I absolutely love the thing they choreographed for Lauren and Leif. The music’s from a modern opera “Atylantos”. I really enjoyed this dance from the first practice I attended. The performance in the FD was really good considering the fact that they’re off-ice for about six months after the Junior World Championships last season. I’m thrilled to see how Lauren and Leif will do in their first senior international event, 4 Continents Championships, later this month.

Organization of the event

The event was held in John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario. This is a brand new venue with a very impressive architecture. The staff was doing a great job handling the event except for problems with checking out tickets while leaving the venue (it was only necessary if you’re planning to come back later) which was the reason of long queues to the exit. But anyway, kudos to them for sticking to the schedule.

I think it’s the right place to mention that this event was judged using Cumulative Points Calculation (CPC) which is the Canadian version of Code of Points. There were no major problems with the computer system throughout the competition. Judging was running smoothly.

Some fun stuff

I must say that there were quite a few interesting things thrown on the ice following some of the performances. The skaters from Toronto Cricket, Curling and Skating Club had a whole variety of gadgets they threw for their friends. One of the skaters that were given some very interesting stuff was Dylan Moskovitch (Senior Men). After is skate in the Qualifying Round he go a blow up doll (photo evidence below), after the LP it was wrestling belt saying "Number One", and after the SP he left the ice wearing a huge cowboy hat and riding a stick horse. As for the blow up doll, it made appearance in the arena again (accompanied by Junior Pairs champions – Michelle Cronin and Brian Shales – see photo below). These are only few “highlights” in this department. Check the pictures for more.