Vancouver Olympics

The days to the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics are now quickly counting down. There are just 78 days until the Opening ceremonies and 83 days until I get there.

The torch run is making its way across Canada and then back. Hopefully as it stops in towns and cities it will start to bring the Olympic Spirt with it. Is it just me or was there more anticipation ahead of the 1988 Games? Shouldn't there be a greater felling of excitement? I'm starting to think we've become a nation of party poopers and navel gazers. Come on people its our party we need to actually start to have fun with this. For those who are against the Games I say "Shut Up and Sit Down". You've had your say. The Games are coming whether you like it or not. You don't have to join the party just don't ruin it for the rest of us.

I've been looking forward to this trip since Vancouver won the bid on July 2, 2003.

I've book my tickets, rented an RV for accomodations and have booked airfare.

All I need to do now is wait for the tickets to arrive, try to get more figure skating tickets,and pack.

Vancouver 2010

The Vancouver Winter Olympic Games are only 8 months away!

VANOC has been planning for many years for this and have some ways so have I. Vage plans started the minute Vancouver was awarded the Games but actuall "looking in to it" began last fall with the ticket application opening. When I didn't get any skating tickets I thought about not going but how can I miss what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I've been looking at accomodations and planning since. Last week ticket sales opened up and I picked up a ticket to the Dance OD. I still hope to pick up some more but we'll see. Last Monday I booked an RV and a spot so at least I have a place to stay. I've picked out my flights but I'm waiting to see if prices come down. Just to be obsessive I've even started a packing list and a shopping list. I hope every thing will fit in my medium suitcase but that may be a pipe dream with needing a parka, ski pants and warm boots.

I'm a little nutty with planning.

2009 World Figure Skating Championship - Pairs Results

And then there were two.

There was high expectations for our Canadian pairs teams to earn 3 spots a next year's Olympics but it wasn't to be.

2008 Bronze medalists, Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, couldn't repeat the magic from last year and turned in a flawed performance that earned them a seventh place finish.

Right behind the Canadian champions, was the second Canadian team of Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin in eighth place. They also turned in a flawed free skate.

With those two results and a combined total of 15 points Canada's hopes of sending 3 pairs teams to the Olympic Games disappeared.

The one high note for Canadians was the performance of Mylene Brodeur and John Mattatall who placed 10th in their worlds debut meaning that Canada place 3 teams in the top 10.

How did I do with my predictions? Well I won't be doing the handicapping in Vegas any time soon.

Medal Predictions:

Gold: Pang & Tong (CHN)
Silver: Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER)
Bronze: Dube & Davison (CAN)

Medalists:

Gold: Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy (GER)
Silver: Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang (CHN)
Bronze: Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov (RUS)

2009 World Men's Figure Skating - Men's Short

The more things change the more things stay the same. Right when figure skating was starting to look as if it was getting past it's judging issues along came last night's men's short program.

Of the top men Evan Lysacek was the first to step on to the ice. He skated cleanly, rotating all of his jumps and turned in a truely great performance. He was beaming as he left the ice. His skate earned him a 82.70 and a standing ovation.

Brian Joubert, the 2007 World Champion, was clearly not as happy about his skate. The French-man put his hand down on his quad and wobbled the landing of the triple portion of the combination. His artistry simply didn't match up against Lysacek so surely he would be in second place. But hold on that isn't how the judges saw it, they awarded Joubert a 84.40. Not good.

Patrick Chan was the last to skate of the big 3 and with a program that earned him over 88 points last month at the Four Continents he look poised to take over the lead. With beautiful jumps, spins, and footwork Patrick skated an amazing program. But once again the skating demons hit and Patrick received 82.55. What? Excuse me how is that even possible? How is it possible that Brian received higher program component scores then Patrick and Evan with that program?

Wasn't the new judging system designed to rid us of this?

2009 World Figure Skating Championship

Day one of the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships was a mixed bag for Canada.

The ice dance competiton got underway with the compulsory dance. Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are in a battle for first place with Russians Oksana Domnina and Max Shabalin and the American team of Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto. Only 1.4 points seperate these teams. That bearly the width of a skate blade.

Canada's second team of Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier got of to an impressive start at their first World Championships and currently sit in 10th place.

Things are not as positive on the Pairs side.

After a disappointing skate Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, last year's bronze medalists, are in 7th place. They are almost 10 points behind the leaders Germany's Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy and 5.62 points off the podium. Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov of Russia are currently in second . China's Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang are sitting third.

The second Canadian team, Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin, are close on Dube and Davisons heals. Mylene Brodeur and John Mattatall are in 11th in their worlds deput.

The top two Canadian teams will need to move up in order for Canada to send 3 teams to the Vancouver Olympics. A combination of placings that add up to less than 13 points will give Canada a 3rd spot on the team.

Today: Men's Short Program and Pair's Free Skate

Compulsory Dance Results

1 Oksana DOMNINA / Maxim SHABALIN RUS 40.77
2 Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO USA 39.65
3 Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR CAN 39.37
4 Meryl DAVIS / Charlie WHITE USA 37.73
5 Jana KHOKHLOVA / Sergei NOVITSKI RUS 37.34
6 Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT FRA 36.54
7 Federica FAIELLA / Massimo SCALI ITA 36.30
8 Sinead KERR / John KERR GBR 35.30
9 Pernelle CARRON / Matthieu JOST FRA 34.39
10 Vanessa CRONE / Paul POIRIER CAN 33.33

2009 World Figure Skating Championships - Men

Men

Quad or no quad that is the question. Can someone without the quad jump once again win the Men's title. Last year Jeffrey Buttle (CAN) claimed the world title with two quadless but perfect skates. Can this be repeated this year?

Patrick Chan (CAN) hopes to show that it can. The two time Canadian Champion has had an impressive year. With the exception of the Grand Prix final he has won every competition he has entered. In order to win Patrick must skate two clean programs and land all 3 or his triple axels. If he does this then his skating skills and artisic impression should put him over the top.

Challenging Chan will be Brian Joubert (FRA) the 2007 World Champion. Brian has struggle with a back injury this year but manage to over come it to win the European title. Brian does have the quad but his artisty, spins and footwork are not close to the same level as Chan's. After a show of poor sportsmanship following Buttle's win last year, Joubert will need to but his skating wear his mouth is inorder to win this year.

American's Evan Lysacek and Jeremy Abbott hope to challenge for the podium.

After being knocked out of last year's World Championship with an injury and a disasterous US nationals that saw him almost fail to make the team, Evan rallied for an impressive 2nd place finish at Four Continents. The hometown favorite will need to cleanly rotate all his jumps inorder to be in contention.

Jeremy Abbott has had a break out year. Impressive wins at the Grand Prix Final and at US Nationals have made Jeremy one to watch. A disappointing 5th place finish at Four Continents is a worrying sign going into the Worlds.

Medal Picks:

Gold: Patrick Chan (CAN)

Silver: Brian Joubert (FRA)

Bronze: Evan Lysacek (USA)

2009 World Figure Skating Championships - Women

Women

The Asian express juggernaut continues in the Women's event this year with strong odds going to either Mao Asada (JPN) or Yun-Na Kim (KOR) winning the crown.

2008 World Champion Asada is trying to reclaim her championship. She won the Grand Prix final but she is trying to bounce back from a less then stellar 3rd place performance at the Four Continents. She may have the triple axel but its her grace and joy that shine through.

Korea's Yun-Na Kim may be a slight favorite over Asada. The bronze medalist from the last two World Championships is coming of an impressive win at the Four Continents. Not quite as athletic as Asada, look for Kim to try to outdistance her rival in the artistic department.

Carolina Kostner of Italy is the reigning silver medalist but may be hard pressed to reach the podium this year. The 2007 and 2008 European Champion finished 2nd this year after a bad short. Consistancy is where she stuggles the most.

Joannie Rochette (CAN) is perhaps the breakout skater of year. After years of finishing just off the podium this could be the year that the 5 time Canadian championship can put it all together and reach a medal position. This year has seen a marked improvement in all aspects of her skating but possibly the greatest improvement has come in her confidence level. Joannie is coming off an impressive 2nd place finish over Asada at the Four Continents.

A side story in this event will be the American women. 2009 American Champion Alissa Czisny and Rachael Flatt will definately need much better performances then they had at the Four Continents in order to secure 3 spots for the Olympics. Nerves will be key with these two competitors.

Medal Picks:

Gold: Yun-Na Kim (KOR)
Silver: Mao Asada (JPN)
Bronze: Joannie Rochette (CAN)

2009 World Figure Skating Championship - Pairs

Pairs

There are 3 World Championship teams competing in the pairs event.

The 2006 World Champions, Pang & Tong (CHN), may be the team to beat. Their improved performance skills have earned them great results this year. Wins at the Grand Prix final and the Four Continents have established them as front runners.

The German team of Savchenko and Szolkowy are the defending World Champions. After a third place finish at the Grand Prix final this team bounced back to win their third straight European title. This unique team is sure to be in the mix.

Zhang and Zhang (CHN) also hope to be in the mix. One of the must athletic teams in the world are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 3rd place finish at the Four Continents. This team must be clean to make up for their artistic short comings.

Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison (CAN) should not be counted out. Last year's bronze medalists missed qualifying for the Grand Prix final but had a strong 2nd place showing at the Four Continents beating the Zhangs. A clean short program and a much improved triple twist could keep them in the hunt for the podium.

Medal Picks:

Gold: Pang & Tong (CHN)
Silver: Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER)
Bronze: Dube & Davison (CAN)

2009 World Figure Skating Championships

The biggest figure skating stars in the world will try to shine this week at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles.

They competing not only for World Championship medals but also for qualifying spots for next year's Vancouver Winter Olympics. This is were skater start jostling for position heading into the games. The countdown to the games are definately on.

Canada's medal prospects are the strongest they've been in years. After years of rebuilding Canada has medal prospects in all four disciplines.

Ice Dance

The Ice Dance competition this year has been rattled by a string of injuries to the top ranked teams.

After going 3-0 this year, reigning champs Isabel Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder (FRA), have withdraw due to her injured shoulder.

Tessa Virture and Scott Moir (CAN), last year's silver medalists, have been sideline for most of the year with Tessa's shin issues. The returned to the ice and defended their Canadian title. At the Four Continents they lost to the US team of Meryl Davis and Charlie White. The question with Tessa and Scott is whether they have had enough time to polish the technical programs that they have only recently debut.

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto (USA), the 2006 Olympic Silver medalists are also battling back from injury. Belbin and Agosto missed the Grand Prix final and the US championships due to his back injury. They are also battling back after a disastrous showing at last year's World Championships. It will be interesting to see which US team comes out on top.

Never count out the Russia ice dancers. Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, were favored last year but had to pull out due to Maxim's knee injury. They dropped out of this year's European championships when his knee once again acted up. The second place finishers at this year's Grand Prix finals are still a threat if he can manage to skate on two legs.

Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski may fill the Russian void if Oksana and Maxim faulter. This years Russian and European Champions and last year's World bronze medalists have what is needed to carry them to the podium.

The US team of Meryl Davis and Charlie White could be the team to watch. They have momentum after winning their first US Championship and betting Virtue and Moir for the Four Continents title. Their lack of injuries this year has been a key to their success and could propel them to a podium finish.

Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier (CAN) are also a team to watch. The 2008 Jr silver medalists narrowly missed qualifying for the Grand Prix final in their first year as seniors. They will be competing at their first World Championship.

Medal Predictions:

Gold: Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski (RUS)
Silver: Tessa Virture and Scott Moir (CAN)
Bronze: Meryl Davis and Charlie White (USA)

continued .......

The Bachelor

I've already stated that this blog will be about everything or nothing.

On the nothing side here are my feelings on the Bachelor.

I know, I know. Yes I did watch this season. I haven't watched in years but just when I thought I was out they pulled me back in. I caught some of the Bachelorette, and thought that DeAnna was nuts to let Jason go. I especially thought it was cruel that she let him get down on one knee and let him stay there for as long as she did. So I hoped this season would end in Jason happy.

Let me just say it sucks all around right now but there are no absolute rights and wrongs. Things are never black and white or as simple as people want them to be. I've always taken issue with the show ending in a ring just weeks after two people meet. The bachelors that gave promise rings had it right. But people want the full happy ending and that includes a proposal. Given Jason's reaction to saying goodbye to Molly he never should have proposed to Melissa. I can also see how it a situation like that you can get carried away and not have time to stop and analyze your feelings. Production schedules are set and they needed to wrap the show.

I can also see how things and feelings could change after the cameras went away. Some of the excitement would go away with the exotic dates and big houses. Everyone has been in the spot where at the beginning of a relationship you think you've found "Mr. or Mrs. Right" and then things change and the chemisty just isn't the same. In reality people break up or end engagements all the time. This breakup was on TV.

I have to give some respect to Jason for ending things as soon as he knew that the relationship was going to end. It wasn't going to work out so he ended it. What else could he do? Stay in the relationship until people have moved on to something else and then break it off?

He was honest and he knew he was going to get slammed for it. Slammed by Melissa and slammed by the media and the public. You have to wonder how many other Bachelors have know prior to the "After the final rose" show that the relationship wasn't working out but played the happy couple until the cameras and the public turned away.

Don't get me wrong I think it would suck to be Melissa and have some one breakup with me on national tv only to say they would like a shot at girl # 2. I'm not sure that Jason was obligated to break up with Melissa on screen or not, but lets face it he'd already broken up with what? Something like 14 other "amazing" women already. I also think that Melissa had to know that it wasn't working. I don't think she got blind sided. I do think it might have been better if he spoke to Molly privately after the show and told her his feelings and then have them lay low for awhile. I think what most people are upset about is the dumping of Melissa and resuming things with Molly with in minutes.

Everyone now needs to go back to their own lives and let it go. Melissa is apparently moving on with her life and so should everyone else. People make mistakes. No one goes through life with out being hurt or hurting some one else.

Let Jason and Molly have their shot.

Those are my thoughts........

From the start

Okay. So this is my first blog. Not sure if I have any thing interesting or profound to say. Everyone seems to have a blog these days so I might as well jump off the cliff with everyone else.

So I think this blog will be about nothing and about everything. If I have something to say I will. If I have nothing to say I might say nothing at all or talk about some thing stupid.

I think this is just for me right now. A way to say to the world that I'm here and have something to say (or not).

I've never been one for a diary or a journal so it will be intesting to see how long I keep doing this.