Today is 'junior day' at Canadians, meaning it's the younger set's turn in the spotlight while the big guns cool their heels away from competition ice for a day.
Which means, for lot of them, the highlight of the day (of course, right?) is the opening press conference at the Metro Centre. What skater doesn't relish the thought of spending as much time as possible talking with us ink-stained wretches (to coin an old phrase)?
Fortunately, in this sport, that statement isn't too much of a stretch. One thing you have to say about figure skaters: With very few exceptions, they're wonderfully nice people who do a lot to make our job easier.
Put it this way: If someone asked me to put together a top 20 list of my favourite athletes that I've dealt with over the years, I'd bet half of them (at least) would be figure skaters. And I hope some of the ones who'd be on that list know who they are (they should).
Let's just say there are a lot worse things a guy could get paid to do for a living.
NEWS AND NOTES
*** Skate Canada CEO William Thompson announced yesterday that Sony has inked a four-year deal as a major association sponsor. That would explain the Sony Bravia signs on the rinkboards. Which begs the question: When can we get one of those HD beauties in the media room? TSN is shooting the event in high def, after all. And trust me, it doesn't get much better than TV in HD. Then again, we might never leave our little workspace.
*** Speaking of TSN ... the network plans to offer Internet streaming of the winning performances of all the senior free skates and short programs, and the free and original dance on TSN Broadband. All will be up and running by the end of the dance event Sunday.
*** They do a really neat thing at the welcome reception at Canadians. All the skaters are paraded in as provincial teams, just like at the Canada Games, each with a 'flag bearer' (okay, sign carrier). Annie Claire Bergeron-Oliver of the Minto Skating Club did the honours for Eastern Ontario.
*** Couldn't help feeling a twinge of sadness — as many no doubt did — when the late, great Osborne Colson's image was displayed during a video from last year's Canadians in Ottawa that was shown during the ceremony. Patrick Chan, his former pupil, no doubt misses Ozzie every day and thinks of him plenty. This event, and the sport in Canada, just won't be the same without 'the wizard of Os.' (as former Sun colleague Barre Campbell — brother of Skate Canada media manager Melanie — called Colson in a fab piece last year).
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1 comment:
Sh....! Don't let them know that you don't think it's work, Rob. They might not send you back next year. Keep up the good "fun" (not work)! We're all enjoying your little reports.
PS: Use spell check. "Couldn't felp feeling..." LOL
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