Inside Edge

Thank you Kurt for your wonderfully entertaining and informative commentary during the Skate Canada broadcasts. My son (age 12) will be competing next weekend at our sectional championships and benefited so much from your comments with respect to the fact that skaters need to work on all aspects of their skating and not just the jumps.

P.S. He loves to watch your "Singing in the Rain" on Youtube!

I couldn't agree with Kurt more on how the men are skating at Skate Canada.
He is saying all the things that i say to my TV every year. Some of the men are spending way to much time on jumps and no time on footwork. Kevin is the prime example of this.
I was very impressed with the men this year.
Kurt did an amazing job with Brian's programs.
Amazing example of what a balanced program can look like.
Keep up the amazing work Kurt.

Hi Kurt! Don't you think it is a shame when the performance of the Belgian skater is more highly scored than that of a sparkling performance like Christopher Maybe's? Yes, the Belgian had brilliant jumps, but there was nothing else to the number. Christopher Maybe had some great jumps, but he also had tremendous footwork, great music interpreation, and a connection to the audience, and I hope the judges! Jumps are rated too high at the expense of the overall performance!

Kurt: I've heard all about the U.S. & European skaters that you coach. Are there any Canadians that you coach or assist with their programs?
Thank you

Hey Kurt - thanks for the thumbs up - but, actually, Tom Dixon, who is brilliant choreographer out of Colorado, put together Vaughn's short program. That day at the rink we were working on footwork for his long program. I hope it works for him tomorrow.... when he's 'on' he reminds me a little of another really great kid from Alberta. :)

I was a figure skater, Lethbridge, ab, mid 60s to67 , under Sonja Currie Jacobson, a jr. champion of Canada at 13. I was a spinner, an axel was tough for me, a strong willed skater I was, never gave up. Got my Gold figures, not my free skate!!! I now have M.S. and am an armchair fan in my wheelchair. Coached both my boys, good little hockey players, with mean skid stops, right and left, and incredible cross cuts!!! I even had Stanzioni hand made boots, out of N.York, snuck across the Montana border for 80.dollars , and 5star Strauss blades out of Minnesota!!!for 30, those were the days!!!!

Wow thanks Kurt for the review! I totally love Vaughn and it ws the first time I saw him live. What a jumer this young man! Can't wait to see his free tomorrow! Then Brian Joubert was just awesome and Jeffrey Buttle did a good job, as always. Goodluck to Chris Mabee too, he diserves it!By the way I met our three canadians at Place Laurier today and I just want to thank them for their time! They are so nice! Good luck for the free program!

I truly enjoyed Joubert's short program, and kudos to you for helping him with its choreography.

For all skaters who suffer injury and then have to battle back, I'm taking this opportunity to remind them of your battles and (at one point in your career) of you having to debut your Led Zeppelin short program at the Western Regionals in Calgary. (I preferred that costume, by the way.)

I'll also never forget your patient generosity and enthusiasm with the young children and skating aficionados when asked for autographs and pictures at the end of the day.

Thanks for all the wonderful hours of skating and commentary over all these years.

P.S. Did Kristy Yamaguchi not land three triple-triple jumps (in a pink beaded outfit, if I recall correctly) in one of her major amateur competitions?

Totally agree with Kurt on Vaughn, saw him skate as a junior and most recently the Wild Rose comp in Edmonton. Awesome skater and a contender.

Thank you, Kurt, for your wise words. I have followed Kurt's career on and off the ice since his first Senior competition. I admire him so much, and am grateful for getting to see his insight. I hope it becomes a regular column, not just for Canadian competitions.

P.S. Kurt - can't wait to see you in Peter Pan next month!!! I've had tickets for a year now!

The beginning of the skating season is what makes heading into winter bearable. I always look forward to Skate Canada but have to say I'm a little disappointed I have to stay up until midnight to watch it. If it was hockey, it would pre-empt the news.

I have had the opportunity to observe Jeremy Abbott for several years. The growth that Jeremy has had during the past two years is amazing. His technical skills are much sharper and he is a stronger skater all the way around. He relates well to his music in both body and Spirit. What a talented young man!

As a skating fan, I'm excited as I am every year. This is the first time in a long time that I've been able to watch from the very beginning and it was worth it. May I offer my congratulations to David n Jaimie on the birth of their son and being the Honorary Chairpersons. Let's hope we all stay clean and skate our best, ladies and gentlemen. The drama is half the fun isn't it?

As a figure skater first and then judge for almost 20 years, I look forward to fall and the commencement of the competitive skating season. All of the familiar faces of my vintage are long gone off the competitive circuit and it makes me feel somewhat aged. I am still able to skate though, vicariously through the televised competitions, and I catch myself initiating jumps and correcting balance for these skaters from the comfort of my living-room. As a Canadian, I naturally root for those who struggle the most so, to all of our Canadian competitors, know that our cheering section is ready for your new skating season. All we ask is that you try your best every day and know that we will always support you.