On and off-ice emotion highlights of 2008 nationals
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 | 09:41 PM ET
The competition is over for another year at the Canadian figure skating championships here in Vancouver and all that is left is a wealth of memories.
Memories like the standing ovation after Joannie Rochette’s free program today where she captured gold and clinched her fourth women’s title. She had gone into the free program portion with a one point-ish lead from the short program which she increased to over 13 points overall.
Chasing her heels the whole way was Mira Leung, in second after the short program, who had a free program with a couple of mistakes but nevertheless showcased her emerging maturity and style. The bronze medal went to Cynthia Phaneuf who skated a beautiful program and really seems poised for the next successful phase in her career.
Hawker’s emotional finish
An honourable mention should go out to Lesley Hawker, who skated what had to be one of her best performances ever. As the music stopped, she covered her face in her hands overcome with emotion at what must have felt like perfection to her. When you can witness that kind of honest and vulnerable reaction on an athlete’s face it is a very moving thing.
Today also saw the induction into the Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Fame of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier. In an emotional tribute video, we got a chance to re-live some of the more memorable moments from their career. Both Jamie and David got a chance to speak and with their heartfelt, sincere thanks and acknowledgements, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
I don’t think there is any Canadian who doesn’t know where they were during the 2002 Olympic Games. These two - and the sport of figure skating - became the biggest story in Salt Lake City. Some people said that skating would never recover from the scandal and yet here we were this week in a packed arena with screaming fans having a great time.
Juniors shine at gala
Onto the gala exhibitions. Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz, honourary chairs of this event were the on-ice hosts and were terrific. In addition to the senior event champions and medallists, this was a chance to see the gold medallists from the junior events.
Take a look at the following names: Elladj Balde from junior men, Kelsey McNeil from junior women, Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill from junior dance and junior pair Monica Pisotta and Michael Stewart. All are Canadian champions and are a great indicator of the kind of talent we have waiting in the wings.
Jamie Sale and David Pelletier closed the show. The challenges of new parenthood have done nothing to diminish their wonderful skating.
Saskatoon will play host to the 2009 Canadian figure skating championships and it will be here before you know it.
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About the Author
Pj Kwong is CBC Country Canada's figure skating expert. A television commentator since 2001, the veteran figure skating coach has covered five of the last seven ISU World Figure Skating Championships, two ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, several Four Continents and Grand Prix Finals for CBC, CTV, TSN and TBS, to name a few.
Fluent in English, French, German and Spanish, Pj has travelled the world as public address announcer, working at three Olympic Games, two world figure skating championsips and several Skate Canada and Canadian national championships.
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