Figure skatingStrength of Canadian figure skating on display in Saskatoon

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Virtue and Moir had been out of competition for the first half of the season while Virtue recovered from leg surgery. At Canadians, they led all three segments of the competition. Their original dance was fresh and original, but it was the free dance that sticks out in my mind. Think 1970s and you will get the inspiration for this program.

Not only was the level of difficulty outstanding, I was stunned to learn that because of her recovery their competition free dance was only their third complete run-through. I can only imagine the level of polish once they put some more “miles” on this program.

The silver medal went to Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier, while Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje took the bronze.

Battle to the end in women’s, pairs

There was a horse race in both the women’s and pairs events. The favourites came up short early in the competition and had to go flat out to capture the gold.

For the women, Joannie Rochette was able to capture her fifth straight Canadian title, but it didn’t come easily.

She finished second in the short program to the ultimate silver medallist, Cynthia Phaneuf. The determination on Rochette’s face said she wasn’t going down without a fight and she converted that focus into one of the best skates of her career. Honourable mention in this event has to go to Amelie Lacoste of Quebec who took the bronze.

In the pairs, Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison trailed after the short to rivals and eventual silver medallists Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin.

In the free program, Dube and Davison skated as if their lives depended on it and had the performance of their season. It reminded me of why they are the defending world bronze medallists. Mylene Brodeur and John Mattatall delivered two solid performances earning them the bronze.

Yes, he Chan

Patrick Chan not only captured his second consecutive title, but he was awesome in the short. Awesome, not in the way the word is bandied about in today’s world, but awesome as in the ability to instill awe.

Although his score in the short program of 88.89 won’t count in the ISU statistics of world-record scores, it has to be said that only Evgeni Plushenko’s world-record score of 90.66 from the short at the 2006 Olympic Games is ahead of it.

Chan’s free program had only one misstep in the form of a fall on the triple flip early on but it didn’t matter. Chan’s ability to draw you in and keep your attention for the duration of his programs is a rare quality. Silver went to Vaughn Chipeur and bronze to Jeremy Ten.

The depth of the talent here was so strong you can’t help but start to really think of the possibilities at the Olympic Games in 2010.

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