They sure know how to build drama at Canadians.
Take a look at the draw for tonight's senior women's free skate at the Metro Centre: The final three skaters (in order) are Vancouver's Mira Leung (currently 3rd after the short program), Lesley Hawker of Barrie, Ont. (2nd) and two-time defending champion Joannie Rochette of Ile-Dupas, Que., who closes the show.
It'll be the same deal in Saturday's pairs free skate: Toronto's Kyra and Dylan Moscovitch, a surprising 4th in Thursday night's short program, followed by Jessica Dube of St. Cyrille de Wendover, Que., and Bryce Davison of Cambridge, Ont. (1st after short), Anabelle Langlois of Hull, Que., and Cody Hay of Grande Prairie, Alta. (3rd), and Valerie Marcoux of Gatineau, Que., and Craig Buntin, of Kelowna, B.C. (2nd), who are aiming for their fourth straight title.
We know one thing: CTV and TSN have to be loving this.
*** We're guessing the Canadian championships remains necessary programming for the folks at Jack Astor's in Barrie. When Hawker worked there, her fellow staffers were always sure to tune in (as CBC showed during a special it filmed last season). As Lesley once put it (as only Lesley can), “they discovered the girls wear short skirts when we skate.” Now Langlois is a waitress there (taking the torch from Hawker, no doubt), so it's a good bet the pairs short program was on at least one TV in the joint Thursday night.
*** A most reliable Halifax source informs your faithful blogger that a 'pole dancing' fitness class that's just started up in this fine city teaches participants a move called 'the skater.' Nice to see they've caught the spirit of the week, one might say.
Showing posts with label TSN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TSN. Show all posts
Friday, January 19, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
They Pay Me For This?
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).
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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