Recent content by Cutting the Ice

I agree that host locations for JGP events should be relatively easy to get to (near an international airport as a minimum requirement) and lots of options for hotels so all budgets can be met. Also relatively straightforward to get a visa with minimal wait times. I am less worried about the...

I agree, it is weird that there are no events in the Americas - again. Last time a JGP event was held in Canada was 2018 and before that 2005! Rest of North America not better - last in Mexico 2013 and USA 2019. So, it's time!

What happened to Fournier-Beaudry / Sorensen? I didn’t hear they would retire.

Sorry - not a state broadcaster but a national public broadcaster. Big difference. CBC has obligations to meet with that public money including providing media services to remote regions and in both official languages, along with the more commonly spoken languages of First Nations and Inuit...

What disappoints me about the media the most is the type of stories they run on figure skating when anything is written at all. Doping scandals, corrupt judging, sexual assault. No wonder the casual reader and potential fan has a negative opinion of the sport. There is no attempt by the media...

Sadly Kaiya Ruiter has withdrawn from Wild Rose (scheduled for today). Let us hope she is healthy and we can see her compete soon.

Does anybody know what happened to Fredette/St. Louie? They competed at JGP Kosic in September. Injured? Broken up? I thought they had real potential.

I found the judging at Canadians to be mostly fair but conservative. I found the marks given at the another recent national championship to be ridiculous and probably not helpful to their skaters. Another observation from Canadians, I continue to like Fabbri and Ayer more and more. It is so...

Gogolev is still registered for The Warsaw Cup on November 18-21 so perhaps this is the is the reason for Sectionals withdrawal.

This article indicates that Walsh was ill recently with a chest infection that required two rounds of antibiotics, and that is why the pair pulled out of the Autumn Classic. I look forward to seeing them improve through the season.

It looks like WHO is still waiting on data from Russia. See #12 on the list. It is unfortunate but evaluation of the vaccine is on-hold. Wont speak for the EU but it is difficult for a country to licence a vaccine when the WHO isn't able to properly evaluate it.

With respect to organizing a virtual event, Ted Barton indicated the virtual Challenge event took about 3-4 months to organize (they started last autumn). This included training the judges and technical people on how to use the remote software and assuring that technical standards in equipment...

I am hoping there is not much truth to the first part of this quote "While it seems unlikely that nationals will take place, Purkiss said it’s her job to have the skaters ready." I know that hoping for in-person nationals may be delusional and reflecting poor judgement, still it would be nice...

So much we dont know! Is Gogolev healthy as he pulled out of Skate America? Anybody have news? Keegan, Nam and Roman are in and likely Phan and Orzel but Liu and Nadeau are in the mix with many others - depends on Challenge! Liu competed back at the beginning of November in Alberta sectionals...

That is good news. There are still some outstanding issues, however. Will skaters, coaches and officials need to quarantine on arrival in Sweden? We know that exposure to COVID is common on airplanes, despite precautions. Will those that must connect through airports in the EU to get to...