Canadian Olympic Figure Skating Team Announced; also World/4CC/Junior World teams

[4rkidz]

Glad they went with the podium and so glad it’s the same team for worlds as the Olympics

 

[Sylvia]

Stupid question: Sadovsky too old for junior worlds?

No, he's 18 (will be 19 in May) but he chose to compete as a senior internationally all season.

 

[4rkidz]

I know we probably won't really know until after the olympics, but any thoughts of who (from the potential retirees) will stay for worlds?

The only one I think is iffy is Patrick. Tessa loves Milan and has said they will be there ditto for Meagan An Eric.

 

[giselle23]

Canada does it right, unlike the USFSA.

 

[aftershocks]

That was very classy, well organized and inspirational, I must say. Debbi Wilkes was getting all choked up, which is understandable. Her dedication and love for the sport and for Canadians is boundless and obviously deeply felt. I'll have to look up some old clips of Debbi and her former partner.

While I have a great deal of admiration for Canadian skaters and for their compatriots who love them (and U.S. fed could definitely learn something from Cdn fed about how to put together an Olympic selection committee announcement), still some of the OTT comments at times during broadcasts (that cross into dissing skaters from other countries -- specifically something Debbi said unfortunately during the ladies competition, and also a more general effusive remark by Tracy Wilson) can be a bit much. Although, I do understand no harm is meant from either Debbi or Tracy, their comments still came off as overly dismissive of other athletes. If only the cheerleading could just be about admiring their athletes, and not making OTT comparisons.

Other than that, it's a point of pride for me to feel part of being North American with the great people of Canada. There are even, I believe, three U.S. born athletes who are on the Canadian figure skating team, which demonstrates the close ties between our two countries. I know Canadians are strong-spirited winners who want to win, and who are fiercely competitive. It will definitely be a battle in Pyeongchang for all the skaters, and for all the athletes in other sports too.

Many kudos to the entire Canadian figure skating team, and especially to Keegan Messing (Piper & Paul too). Keegan's decision to skate for Canada was a wise one that has finally paid off due to his talent, patience, and dedication.

 

[Erin]

The only one I think is iffy is Patrick. Tessa loves Milan and has said they will be there ditto for Meagan An Eric.

I still wouldn't be surprised if Virtue and Moir bow out. I do think Meagan and Eric will go. The chances of Patrick competing are slim to none, so Nam can probably book his flight.

 

[Sylvia]

Duhamel & Radford are scheduled to be in Australia from March 5-13 for a national developmental camp: http://www.isa.org.au/high-performance-and-athlete-development?lightbox=dataItem-j9mabuux

ETA: I thought both have stated that their last competition will be the Olympics? Will go look for an article...

ETA #2 - "The two-time world champions, who plan to retire after the Pyeongchang Olympics, ..." http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/f...ford-pairs-program-music-muse-adele-1.4483700

 

[4rkidz]

I still wouldn't be surprised if Virtue and Moir bow out. I do think Meagan and Eric will go. The chances of Patrick competing are slim to none, so Nam can probably book his flight.

I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Nam skate as I’ll be there live and he’s improved so much since I last saw him live last year. I think Tessa has more than skating there in Milan so I would be surprised if they didn’t skate. I don’t think how they do at the Olympics will influence them this time around.

 

[pinky166]

Stupid question: Sadovsky too old for junior worlds?

As said before, no, but he skated senior all season. He’s first alternate for 4CC so I think he has a decent chance of going there as I wouldn’t be surprised if at least one of Reynolds or Balde withdrew.

I also expect Nam will go to Worlds as I think it’s likely Patrick pulls out.

Congrats to Keegan and Larkyn. I personally am glad SC just went with the podium in all disciplines, it makes everything seem more fair and objective as opposed to biased, political, or personal.

Still gutted for Lubov/Dylan, I feel they were underscored, though not by enough to alter the results.

 

[Rafter]

The only one I think is iffy is Patrick. Tessa loves Milan and has said they will be there ditto for Meagan An Eric.

Really? I thought V&M at some point in the fall said they were undecided about Worlds.

 

[Rafter]

Surprised Skate Canada isn’t going with more of a youth movement for 4CCs mainly with the men. Would have been nice to see Sadovsky get the chance.

I wonder what Chartrand will do next. Will she keep going? If she does she needs to leave Michelle Leigh ASAP.

 

[The Accordion]

Really? I thought V&M at some point in the fall said they were undecided about Worlds.

They have also mentioned how incredibly difficult it was to do Worlds in 2010 and that was one of the reasons they didn’t in 2014.

 

[muffinplus]

Tessa being in Milan would be a nice surprise. I am not counting on V/M to be at Worlds

 

[screech]

I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Nam skate as I’ll be there live and he’s improved so much since I last saw him live last year. I think Tessa has more than skating there in Milan so I would be surprised if they didn’t skate. I don’t think how they do at the Olympics will influence them this time around.

I feel like Nam will get to do Worlds (Patrick's motivation seems to just be the team event in Korea), and that he's going to be competing like he has something to prove.

Meagan and Eric were funny when interviewed in the team announcement. When Debbie asked Eric what their strategy was, he replied 'skate perfectly.' Love it!

 

[aftershocks]

Nope, because Canada doesn't need to create a non-medal for non-medallists. Pewter medal is basically like handing out a participation trophy (and I personally don't consider it a medal)

Also, Elladj was wonderful, but rightfully behind Nam, because of the technical content. I'm really happy Keegan made the team (not just because I enjoy him, but also because of his wonderful sportsmanship after Elladj finished as he was stepping onto the ice), but I feel bad for Nam, since he missed the Olympics by one point, after coming second in the LP.

Right, I forgot that Elladj came in just behind Nam. I think the judging was generally fair. Plus, part of my earlier post regarding not expecting any surprise announcements, was obviously tongue-in-cheek, aside from the serious question re pewter medals, and my enjoyment of Elladj's fun performance.

Different strokes for different countries, although there are surely things every country can learn from another country, or emulate if it's a better approach. There are probably a number of athletes (depending upon their situation) who are happy to receive a pewter medal and at least gain some experience of seeing up close what it's like to get a top medal. Of course, if you are competing for gold or silver, and drop to pewter, that's not going to necessarily be a happy occasion. Having people around to ground you and to provide perspective and encouragement is helpful.

There are so many athletes to feel compassion for in every country, for not being able to go to the Olympics, especially those who came very close.

 

[Seerek]

Alison Schumacher getting 1st alternate for Jr. Worlds was interesting, is it because lutz is the solo triple in the short program?

 

[Catherine M]

I wouldn't be surprised if any of Balde, Reynolds, Long, Chartrand and I/M pull out of 4CC. Guess we will know in the next few days if that happens.

 

[Bellanca]

Congratulations to Team Canada!! A great group of very deserving athletes. Good luck to all at the Olympics!!

 

[Carolla5501]

Glad they went with the podium and so glad it’s the same team for worlds as the Olympics

Better hope Nam keeps training. I’ll be shocked if Chan actually goes to worlds.

 

[sap5]

The only one I think is iffy is Patrick. Tessa loves Milan and has said they will be there ditto for Meagan An Eric.

Where/when did Tessa say they were going to Worlds?

 

[Bellanca]

Nope, because Canada doesn't need to create a non-medal for non-medallists. Pewter medal is basically like handing out a participation trophy (and I personally don't consider it a medal)

Neither do the athletes.

 

[aftershocks]

^^ There are at least a few athletes (usually up-and-comers) who are thrilled to be on the podium in pewter medal position, whether or not they look upon the medal as 'real'/relevant.

Would have been nice to see Sadovsky get the chance.

Sadovsky does have the chance as 1st alternate to 4CCs (and he had a chance to shine more at Cdn Nats too). He's looking so much improved and more mature. Both Sadovsky and Nadeau will be leading the next generation, likely along with Nam Nguyen. They are all still learning and developing, especially Sadovsky and Nadeau. And Nam has been finding himself and pushing through to express who he is on the ice.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I wouldn't be surprised if any of Balde, Reynolds, Long, Chartrand and I/M pull out of 4CC. Guess we will know in the next few days if that happens.

It's making it difficult to figure out the starting draws for 4C's

 

[chapis]

They have not announced to the selected ones for the team event?

 

[screech]

Didn't see it listed, but these are the coaches for Team Canada:

Lee Barkell (Gabby)
Ralph Burghart (Keegan)
Marie-France Dubreuil (Virtue/Moir)
Oleg Epstein (Patrick)
Richard Gauthier (Moore-Towers/Marinaro)
Patrice Lauzon (Virtue/Moir)
Bruno Marcotte (Moore-Towers/Marinaro, Duhamel/Radford)
Nikolai Morozov (Weaver/Poje)
Zdenek Pazdirek (Larkyn)
Josée Picard (Seguin/Bilodeau)
Juris Razgulajevs (Gilles/Poirier)
Ravi Walia (Kaetlyn, Patrick)

Kudos to the coaches as well!
Brian Orser isn't part of the Canadian team of coaches, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him with Gabby in the K&C, since he'll be there with other students. And maybe Romain Haguenauer with V/M? Has he ever sat with them?

Biggest downside: No Carol Lane listed, which I guess means she'll be doing the commentary.

 

[screech]

Some cute "Get To Know You" from the Canada Olympics site:

Andrew Poje (whose handwriting I found surprisingly nice)
Gabby Daleman

So far the only skaters I saw, but hopefully more will be added.

 

[Bellanca]

^^ There are at least a few athletes (usually up-and-comers) who are thrilled to be on the podium in pewter medal position, whether or not they look upon the medal as 'real'/relevant.

The more recent pewter medal winners have not been up-and-comers, but leave it to USFS... Pewter medal = booby prize.

ETA: Pewter medal "winners," that is.

 

[nimi]

Meagan and Eric were funny when interviewed in the team announcement. When Debbie asked Eric what their strategy was, he replied 'skate perfectly.' Love it!

Meagan & Eric interviewed, pt 2 (the zipper incident gets discussed)
https://www.facebook.com/CBCOlympics/videos/1194717273993018/

 

[aftershocks]

The more recent pewter medal winners have not been up-and-comers, but leave it to USFS... Pewter medal = booby prize.

ETA: Pewter medal "winners," that is.

There's been a mixture of veterans and up-and-comers, depending upon the discipline. The last several pewter medalists in ice dance have been up-and-comers as well as a 'journeyman' team overjoyed to place 4th. However you see it though is up to you.

 

[Sylvia]

They have not announced to the selected ones for the team event?

No. Skate Canada's "team strategy" has yet to been revealed publicly.