Maxime-Billy Fortin hoping to skate for Haiti

[Lara]

I had my computer with Montreal's CTV station on via Slingbox, when a skating rink appeared. Turned out to be a local news segment on Fortin! He was born in Haiti, and only recently has it been possible to obtain dual citizenship. He applied and is hoping to be the first Haitian to compete at the Winter Olympics.

I assume Haiti getting ISU membership is the biggest obstacle, and would require having a skating rink built (as did Puerto Rico). Maxime-Billy said he wants to give back and help develop skating within the country. Best of luck to him!

[skatingfan04]

How wonderful for him! I've seen him compete many times, on TV and in person, and he is an excellent skater. Unfortunately, getting spots for international assignments in Canada has proven to be a bit of a tall order for him. I think this is a fantastic idea. I hope he can succeed!

[my little pony]

i hope he makes it, i always thought he had the best name in skating (along with ari pekka nurmenkari) and i would hate to lose it

me me me

[victorskid]

Maxime-Billy is competing this weekend at the Minto Summer Skate in Ottawa.

[ChelleC]

Best of luck to him!

[The Accordion]

I remember him from 2004 Canadians and have been watching him since. I hope this works out for him - he seems to be a really hard worker!

[euterpe]

Haiti is probably the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and they are still struggling to recover from the devastating hurricane that struck several years ago. I doubt there is any money to build a skating rink.

[my little pony]

could they count a rink on a cruise ship docked in port au prince?

[PeterG]

I predict he will place higher than 14th at the Haitian Nationals.

Haiti is probably the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and they are still struggling to recover from the devastating hurricane that struck several years ago. I doubt there is any money to build a skating rink.

Sometimes skaters train in countries other than their own/the country they represent.

[my little pony]

they need the rink to join the ISU

[PeterG]

are outdoor rinks allowed?

[aftershocks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvgUGg-eG7E

Love Maxime-Billy's music and his moves! Never heard of him or saw him skate before. (He can obviously do the jumps, but like everyone needs to develop consistency). Talent like what he possesses deserves to be nurtured and given a chance on a larger stage, IMO.

Choreo by Julie Marcotte.

[euterpe]

are outdoor rinks allowed?

I think the ISU requirement is an all-season rink. But it's quite hot in Haiti. I was in Haiti (cruise ship stopover to a beach) in December and it was mid-80s. Even if an outdoor rink was allowed, the temperature even in wintertime would be too high to maintain an ice surface.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I think PeterG was being sarcastic with that question.

[4rkidz]

are outdoor rinks allowed?

seriously though it would be nice if he could represent Haiti..

[Ziggy]

There is absolutely no way Haiti can build, let alone maintain an ice rink.

It's a country that over the last two years has been ravaged by an earthquake, flooding and a cholera outbreak.

Lots of people still suffer from homelessness and displacement.

There really are other priorities.

[RFOS]

Oliya Clarkson has competed internationally for Grenada, including at Junior Worlds (preliminary round), and it appears that Grenada does not have an ice rink (and is currently a provisional ISU member). I'm too lazy to try to look up how long provisional membership can be maintained before the country needs to have an ice rink. I'm also not sure whether a skater from a provisional ISU member could compete at the Olympics, but the article below (first link) mentions that the Grenadian FSA is recognized by the Grenadian Olympic Committee:

http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/head...ship-6967.html
http://www.isuresults.com/results/wjc2012/SEG002.HTM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IiumTOvhIs

[overedge]

I think the ISU requirement is an all-season rink.

That can't be, because India is an ISU member and IIRC the rink they qualified with is a winter-only outdoor rink.

[kirkbiggestfan]

So, the Jamaicans can do bobsled at the olympics even though they don't have a slide, but skaters must have a rink.

[Aussie Willy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvgUGg-eG7E

Love Maxime-Billy's music and his moves! Never heard of him or saw him skate before. (He can obviously do the jumps, but like everyone needs to develop consistency). Talent like what he possesses deserves to be nurtured and given a chance on a larger stage, IMO.

Choreo by Julie Marcotte.

Thanks for posting the clip. I agree. Such natural musicality. Enjoyed that.