Backgrounder
Fire on Ice
The hot skaters to watch at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships
Last Updated Fri., Jan. 5, 2007
Pj Kwong, CBC Sports
National titles are on the line when Canada’s best figure skaters descend on Vancouver from Jan. 16-20 for the 2008 national championships. Will Jeff Buttle successfully defend his title with youngster Patrick Chan climbing up the men’s ranks? Can Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir dance to their first Canadian senior crown?
Bragging rights as well as world championship berths are up for grabs. Here are the stars to keep an eye on in Vancouver.
Jeff Buttle, Men's
Born: Sept. 1, 1982 in Smooth Rock Falls, Ont.
How he did at the 2007 Canadians: Won his third
straight men's championship
This Canadian champion will not go down without a fight. Well known for his innovative spin position variations and choreography, Jeff Buttle was among the first skaters to really use and understand the strategy involved in maximizing his points in the new judging system using elements other than the jumps in his programs. His ability to grasp and articulate the nuances of any of his pieces of music showcases his range as a performer. That, coupled with his experience as a competitor, gives him a decided edge at the nationals. His effortless coverage of the ice is easy to spot as is his uncanny ability to draw you in to the program.
Patrick Chan, Men's
Born: Dec 31, 1990 in Ottawa, Ont.
How he did at the 2007 Canadians: Finished fifth
at his second career Canadian championship
As Patrick Chan circles the rink, what you notice first is his remarkable speed coupled with a distinctively masculine and dynamic presence on the ice. Like a beautifully trained racehorse, Chan is poised to run his own race seemingly unaffected by the attention, pressure or competition swirling around him. He has been named by insiders as one to watch as 2010 approaches and Canada gets set to name its Olympic team. All of this in just his first year as a senior on the ISU Grand Prix Circuit. Dedicated and focused, his programs are beautifully constructed and watching him attack each of his elements on his program checklist can bring one to the edge of their seat.
Joannie Rochette, Women's
Born: Jan 13, 1986 in Montreal, Que.
How she did at the 2007 Canadians: Claimed her
third straight women's title
At the senior ladies level, there are certain qualities like athleticism, grace, maturity and confidence that help to differentiate the skaters. Joannie Rochette possesses these qualities among many others including taking what she knows how to do and doing it to the very best of her ability. Equally adept at jumping, spinning and footwork Rochette is the perfect illustration of a well-rounded skater. Once these elements are laced throughout superb choreography she becomes a force to be reckoned with. Her total commitment in expressing all facets of her music against the backdrop of superior technical elements makes her a joy to watch.
Tessa Virtue amd Scott Moir, Dance
Born: She was born May 17, 1989 and he was born
Sept 2, 1987. Both were born in London, Ont..
How they did at the 2007 Canadians: Finished second
in their third career appearance at the Canadian championships
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir’s long history together as a dance team is just one of the many things they have going for them and that’s just for starters. They skate impossibly close together, instinctively knowing where to find each other. They have beautiful edge quality and an effortless and noiseless glide across the rink and are among the best in the world. As an audience you experience their skating as a private moment between them that you have been invited to share. Virtue and Moir’s timing, execution, degree of difficulty and ability to magically weave their elements into their choreography are all reasons to bookmark this team.
Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison, Pairs
Born: She was born Oct 29, 1987 in Drummondville,
Que. He was born Jan 29, 1986 in Walnut Creek, Calf.
How he did at the 2007 Canadians: The reigning
Canadian pairs champions
Both Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison are excellent singles skaters and strong individual competitors, which has helped them achieve the consistency they have enjoyed in the pair events. Their closeness in height makes them an unusual duo in today’s ranks of pair teams and yet their chemistry is unmatched anywhere else. It’s that chemistry that makes Dube and Davison unforgettable. Easy, unhurried and effortless are words to describe their skating style. Their free program this year is easily the fastest 4 ½ minutes in any pairs event and will make you wonder if time has stood still. A definite “must see” at Canadian nationals
More on Figure Skating
- Photo gallery: Canadian Figure Skaking championships
- Canadian figure skater Fedor Andreev is attempting a comeback on his terms
- Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are drawing comparisons to Torvill and Dean
- Growing Pains: Cynthia Phaneuf is back on track
- Q and A: Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison
- WATCH NOW: Brian Orser breaks down the favourites for nationals
- Behind-the-scenes work of choreographers is key to figure-skating success
- Fire and Ice: The hot skaters to watch at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships
- Pj Kwong: It Figures
- Kurt Browning: Inside edge
- Contest: Skate Home with a Champion
