Complete article can be found at http://en.ria.ru/sports/20111226/170504044.html
SARANSK, Russia, December 26 (RIA Novosti)
Evgeny Plushenko was victorious Monday in his first competition since his figure skating silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, but two shaky routines proved much work lies ahead if he is to complete a much-trumpeted comeback.
Plushenko chose the Russian national championships in Saransk as the springboard to revive a glittering career that he seeks to round off with a gold medal at his home Olympics in Sochi in 2014. He admitted he had found the going hard, and had yet to fully recover from knee surgery earlier this year.
"It was tough," Plushenko said. "First and foremost, psychologically. I haven't performed in a long time, and the injury has an effect."
"But I'm happy I'm back, I'm happy I won."
Plushenko skated a rough-around-the-edges free program Monday with a quad toeloop that he fluffed the previous night in the short program. He under-rotated some jumps and stepped out of others, but the ordinary competition meant the points were still enough for his ninth Russian national title.
The 2006 Turin Games gold medalist said landing the quad was "very important, because I needed to conquer the painful fear of a knock to the left leg."
Monday, December 26, 2011
Plushenko returns triumphant
Complete article can be found at
http://www.goldenskate.com/2011/12/plushenko-returns-triumphant/
December 25, 2011 - by Anna Kondakova
Evgeni Plushenko’s second comeback to eligible figure skating turned out to be as triumphant as the first one at the 2012 Russian National Figure Skating Championships. The 2006 Olympic champion currently leads the field ahead of training mate Artur Gachinski and last year’s bronze medalist Zhan Bush.
Skating to music arranged by his long-time collaborator Edvin Marton, Plushenko did not appear to be a day older than he had been at this event two years ago. His strongest points remain the same: power, attack, and charisma to spare. Surprisingly, his weakest points were the jumps.
The 29-year-old failed to attach the second jump to his opening quad toe loop, and with no steps preceding it, the element received a negative Grade of Execution (GOE). He also was only able to improvise a triple-double combination later in the program. Still, the eight-time national champion currently leads the field with 88.24 (42.30/45.94) points on the strength of his program components score.
The panel did not quite agree on the numerical value: Plushenko earned a few 9.75s, but no 10s. In addition, someone on the panel gave him as low as 7.50 for transitions. Nevertheless, there was no doubt that his performance overall deserved the highest score of the night.
The skater himself remained grounded and critical of his performance.
http://www.goldenskate.com/2011/12/plushenko-returns-triumphant/
December 25, 2011 - by Anna Kondakova
Evgeni Plushenko’s second comeback to eligible figure skating turned out to be as triumphant as the first one at the 2012 Russian National Figure Skating Championships. The 2006 Olympic champion currently leads the field ahead of training mate Artur Gachinski and last year’s bronze medalist Zhan Bush.
Skating to music arranged by his long-time collaborator Edvin Marton, Plushenko did not appear to be a day older than he had been at this event two years ago. His strongest points remain the same: power, attack, and charisma to spare. Surprisingly, his weakest points were the jumps.
The 29-year-old failed to attach the second jump to his opening quad toe loop, and with no steps preceding it, the element received a negative Grade of Execution (GOE). He also was only able to improvise a triple-double combination later in the program. Still, the eight-time national champion currently leads the field with 88.24 (42.30/45.94) points on the strength of his program components score.
The panel did not quite agree on the numerical value: Plushenko earned a few 9.75s, but no 10s. In addition, someone on the panel gave him as low as 7.50 for transitions. Nevertheless, there was no doubt that his performance overall deserved the highest score of the night.
The skater himself remained grounded and critical of his performance.
Sotnikova finds her rhythm at Russian Nationals, leads after short
Complete article can be found at
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/sotnikova-finds-her-rhythm-at-russian-nationals-leads-after-short
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 26, 2011
Most skating observers will find their jaws dropping today when they see what happened in the ladies’ short program at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. It was not so much that defending champion Adelina Sotnikova has the lead, but more that the skater who has been the Russian star this season, Elizaveta Tuktamisheva, is in a shocking seventh place. The strong field of ladies took the ice and showed why they are the most talented bunch in the world.
Sotnikova, who has struggled this season with the short program, saved her best so far for her own national championships, hitting her opening triple lutz-triple loop combination to put herself in prime position for her third title. With the most difficult and best executed short program of the bunch, her first place standing was well-deserved. The judges rewarded her with a 68.65, giving her a four-point advantage going into the free skate.
Another skater who has struggled this season, 2010 champion Ksenia Makarova, showed that she is not ready to give up on her season just yet. She put down a clean short program as well, landing a triple toe-triple toe and a solo triple loop on her way to a 64.30 and second place in the short.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/sotnikova-finds-her-rhythm-at-russian-nationals-leads-after-short
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 26, 2011
Most skating observers will find their jaws dropping today when they see what happened in the ladies’ short program at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. It was not so much that defending champion Adelina Sotnikova has the lead, but more that the skater who has been the Russian star this season, Elizaveta Tuktamisheva, is in a shocking seventh place. The strong field of ladies took the ice and showed why they are the most talented bunch in the world.
Sotnikova, who has struggled this season with the short program, saved her best so far for her own national championships, hitting her opening triple lutz-triple loop combination to put herself in prime position for her third title. With the most difficult and best executed short program of the bunch, her first place standing was well-deserved. The judges rewarded her with a 68.65, giving her a four-point advantage going into the free skate.
Another skater who has struggled this season, 2010 champion Ksenia Makarova, showed that she is not ready to give up on her season just yet. She put down a clean short program as well, landing a triple toe-triple toe and a solo triple loop on her way to a 64.30 and second place in the short.
Beharry and Bobak, one hot junior pair
Complete article can be found at
http://www.guelphmercury.com/sports/local/article/644573--beharry-and-bobak-one-hot-junior-pair
Rob Massey, Mercury staff
December 24, 2011
WATERLOO — Guelph skaters Ian Beharry and Katie Bobak might just be the hottest pair in international junior figure skating.
“The way it feels is amazing,” Bobak said this week prior to a workout at the RIM Park arena. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Competing for the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club, the pair has finished on the podium three times in an as many international junior events — winning gold at Estonia and silver at Poland and Quebec City.
“It’s been a great year,” Beharry said. “We’ve had other local competitions that we’ve also medalled in.”
And it’s all come in their first season together. After last winter, both were looking for new partners.
“What your coach usually does is just contact people all around, either all around Canada or just locally, other coaches to see if they have anybody for you to try out with,” Beharry said. “Katie had just recently broke up with her partner and same as me, so we decided to have a tryout.”
“We had a tryout and it just kind of went really well,” Bobak said.
It went so well, neither had a tryout with any other skater.
In front of both of their coaches — Beharry, 20, was moving over from the Preston Figure Skating Club — the pair skated a bit to see if their styles matched. Then they did some side-by-side jumps to see how similar they were.
http://www.guelphmercury.com/sports/local/article/644573--beharry-and-bobak-one-hot-junior-pair
Rob Massey, Mercury staff
December 24, 2011
WATERLOO — Guelph skaters Ian Beharry and Katie Bobak might just be the hottest pair in international junior figure skating.
“The way it feels is amazing,” Bobak said this week prior to a workout at the RIM Park arena. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Competing for the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club, the pair has finished on the podium three times in an as many international junior events — winning gold at Estonia and silver at Poland and Quebec City.
“It’s been a great year,” Beharry said. “We’ve had other local competitions that we’ve also medalled in.”
And it’s all come in their first season together. After last winter, both were looking for new partners.
“What your coach usually does is just contact people all around, either all around Canada or just locally, other coaches to see if they have anybody for you to try out with,” Beharry said. “Katie had just recently broke up with her partner and same as me, so we decided to have a tryout.”
“We had a tryout and it just kind of went really well,” Bobak said.
It went so well, neither had a tryout with any other skater.
In front of both of their coaches — Beharry, 20, was moving over from the Preston Figure Skating Club — the pair skated a bit to see if their styles matched. Then they did some side-by-side jumps to see how similar they were.
Main rivals absent, Bazarova and Larionov lead at Russian Nationals
Complete article can be viewed at
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/jackie-wong
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
European bronze medalists Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov find themselves with a sizeable eight-point advantage after a clean short program that propelled them to the top of the standings at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. With the two top Russian pairs opting out of the competition in favor of much-needed rest after a busy fall, Bazarova and Larionov are in prime position to take their first national title.
Hitting their opening side-by-side triple toes and a strong throw triple flip, Bazarova and Larionov made it known that it was their opportunity for the gold, scoring a 68.83 for their short program effort. With reigning champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov and former championsYuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov opting to skip the competition, the door is wide open for Bazarova and Laronov to take the title.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/jackie-wong
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
European bronze medalists Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov find themselves with a sizeable eight-point advantage after a clean short program that propelled them to the top of the standings at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. With the two top Russian pairs opting out of the competition in favor of much-needed rest after a busy fall, Bazarova and Larionov are in prime position to take their first national title.
Hitting their opening side-by-side triple toes and a strong throw triple flip, Bazarova and Larionov made it known that it was their opportunity for the gold, scoring a 68.83 for their short program effort. With reigning champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov and former championsYuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov opting to skip the competition, the door is wide open for Bazarova and Laronov to take the title.
Japan's World team announced, Asada, Takahashi to lead the way in Nice
Complete article can be viewed at
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/japan-s-world-team-announced-asada-takahashi-to-lead-the-way-nice
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
Following the conclusion of the Japan Figure Skating Championships, the Japanese teams for the World Championships, Four Continents Championships, and the World Junior Championships were announced. Ladies' gold medalist Mao Asada and men's gold medalist Daisuke Takahashi lead the way and look to repeat their gold medal-winning ways from two seasons ago. Full team below.
World Championships team
MEN - Daisuke Takahashi, Takahiko Kozuka, Yuzuru Hanyu
LADIES - Mao Asada, Akiko Suzuki, Kanako Murakami
PAIRS - Narumi Takahashi/Mervin Tran
DANCE - Cathy Reed/Chris Reed
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/japan-s-world-team-announced-asada-takahashi-to-lead-the-way-nice
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
Following the conclusion of the Japan Figure Skating Championships, the Japanese teams for the World Championships, Four Continents Championships, and the World Junior Championships were announced. Ladies' gold medalist Mao Asada and men's gold medalist Daisuke Takahashi lead the way and look to repeat their gold medal-winning ways from two seasons ago. Full team below.
World Championships team
MEN - Daisuke Takahashi, Takahiko Kozuka, Yuzuru Hanyu
LADIES - Mao Asada, Akiko Suzuki, Kanako Murakami
PAIRS - Narumi Takahashi/Mervin Tran
DANCE - Cathy Reed/Chris Reed
Strength over adversity, Asada reclaims Japanese title
Complete article can be viewed at
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/strength-over-adversity-asada-reclaims-japanese-title
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
Merely a few weeks removed from her mother’s death, two-time World champion Mao Asada made the decision to compete at the Japan Figure Skating Championships and found a way to prevail, winning her fifth career national title after finishing with the silver last year. The ladies’ free skatewas full of movement, with none of the top skaters able to deliver a clean performance.
Second coming into the free skate, Asada opted to take out her trademark triple axel once again in favor of a double axel and a more technically conservative approach. She hit three clean triples but doubled her two final triple jumps. The second half of her double axel-triple toe combination was called underrotated, further costing her base value points. She finished second in the free skate but still won the competition with a final score of 184.07.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/strength-over-adversity-asada-reclaims-japanese-title
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
Merely a few weeks removed from her mother’s death, two-time World champion Mao Asada made the decision to compete at the Japan Figure Skating Championships and found a way to prevail, winning her fifth career national title after finishing with the silver last year. The ladies’ free skatewas full of movement, with none of the top skaters able to deliver a clean performance.
Second coming into the free skate, Asada opted to take out her trademark triple axel once again in favor of a double axel and a more technically conservative approach. She hit three clean triples but doubled her two final triple jumps. The second half of her double axel-triple toe combination was called underrotated, further costing her base value points. She finished second in the free skate but still won the competition with a final score of 184.07.
Takahashi holds off Kozuka for fifth Japanese title
To read the complete article go to:
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/takahashi-holds-of-kozuka-for-fifth-japanese-title
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 24, 2011
It wasn’t pretty, but 2010 World champion Daisuke Takahashi survived three falls in his free skate and won his fifth Japanese title, holding off a surge by Takahiko Kozuka thanks to his massive lead from the short program. The men’s medalists were crowned today at the Japan Figure Skating Championships, just after an upset in the ladies’ short program, where Kanako Murakami took the surprise lead.
With a lead of over ten points from a flawless short program, Takahashi had a huge edge going into the free skate. But it was a completely different story in the free skate, where he opened with a fall on his quad toe. He hit six clean triplesafter the opening fall but took two more spills, one on his second triple axel and the other on his final jump, a triple flip. His program component mark saved him from dropping from the top, and he took the gold with a final score of 254.60.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/takahashi-holds-of-kozuka-for-fifth-japanese-title
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 24, 2011
It wasn’t pretty, but 2010 World champion Daisuke Takahashi survived three falls in his free skate and won his fifth Japanese title, holding off a surge by Takahiko Kozuka thanks to his massive lead from the short program. The men’s medalists were crowned today at the Japan Figure Skating Championships, just after an upset in the ladies’ short program, where Kanako Murakami took the surprise lead.
With a lead of over ten points from a flawless short program, Takahashi had a huge edge going into the free skate. But it was a completely different story in the free skate, where he opened with a fall on his quad toe. He hit six clean triplesafter the opening fall but took two more spills, one on his second triple axel and the other on his final jump, a triple flip. His program component mark saved him from dropping from the top, and he took the gold with a final score of 254.60.
Upset in the making? Murakami bests Asada, Suzuki in Japanese Nationals short
To read the complete article go to:
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/upset-the-making-murakami-bests-asada-suzuki-japanese-nationals-short
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 24, 2011
Former World junior champion Kanako Murakami stunned favorites Mao Asada and Akiko Suzuki today at the Japan Figure Skating Championships to lead the short program. Murakami took the ice well before her other two main competitors but was able to maintain her lead, edging out Asada by less than a quarter of a point.
After a lackluster Grand Prix series this season, Murakami saved her best stuff so far this season for her home championships. She hit a clean short, highlighted by a clean triple toe-triple toe and a solo triple flip. The judges rewarded her with a 65.56 to give her the edge in the short program over the rest of the field.
Right behind is Asada, who was also clean in her Scheherazade short program but lacked the difficulty of Murakami’s skate.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/upset-the-making-murakami-bests-asada-suzuki-japanese-nationals-short
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 24, 2011
Former World junior champion Kanako Murakami stunned favorites Mao Asada and Akiko Suzuki today at the Japan Figure Skating Championships to lead the short program. Murakami took the ice well before her other two main competitors but was able to maintain her lead, edging out Asada by less than a quarter of a point.
After a lackluster Grand Prix series this season, Murakami saved her best stuff so far this season for her home championships. She hit a clean short, highlighted by a clean triple toe-triple toe and a solo triple flip. The judges rewarded her with a 65.56 to give her the edge in the short program over the rest of the field.
Right behind is Asada, who was also clean in her Scheherazade short program but lacked the difficulty of Murakami’s skate.
Takahashi rockets to the top after the short at Japanese Nationals
To read the complete article go to:
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/takahashi-rockets-to-the-top-after-the-short-at-japanese-nationals
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 23, 2011
The Japan Figure Skating Championships got off to a rousing start today with the men’s short program as 2010 World champion Daisuke Takahashi found himself with a huge lead of over ten points after a flawless short program. Takahashi is looking for his fifth national title after a third-place finish last season.
Takahashi has not looked more prepared in his career than he did in the short program, where he opened with a quad toe-triple toe combination. It was the first time all season that he has successfully completed a quad in competition. The rest of his short program was equally strong and spectacular, as he hit the rest of his elements to earn a 96.05 and a more than comfortable cushion over the rest of the men going into the free skate.
Former Japanese junior champion Tatsuki Machida scored a slight upset with a third-place showing over pre-competition podium favorite Yuzuru Hanyu.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/takahashi-rockets-to-the-top-after-the-short-at-japanese-nationals
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 23, 2011
The Japan Figure Skating Championships got off to a rousing start today with the men’s short program as 2010 World champion Daisuke Takahashi found himself with a huge lead of over ten points after a flawless short program. Takahashi is looking for his fifth national title after a third-place finish last season.
Takahashi has not looked more prepared in his career than he did in the short program, where he opened with a quad toe-triple toe combination. It was the first time all season that he has successfully completed a quad in competition. The rest of his short program was equally strong and spectacular, as he hit the rest of his elements to earn a 96.05 and a more than comfortable cushion over the rest of the men going into the free skate.
Former Japanese junior champion Tatsuki Machida scored a slight upset with a third-place showing over pre-competition podium favorite Yuzuru Hanyu.
Patrick Chan: QMI Agency Canadian Male Athlete of the Year
To read the complete article go to:
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/20/qmi-agencys-canadian-male-athlete-of-the-year-patrick-chan
DAVE POLLARD, QMI AGENCY
FIRST POSTED: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2011 09:31 PM EST
Prepping for another training session that would one day lead to a world championship, Chan looked on, almost in awe, as the skater landed jump after jump. It was done with such ease, so smooth, that it almost overwhelmed him.A youthful Patrick Chan, then a neophyte to figure skating but already dreaming in golden hues, sat tying his skates at a suburban Toronto arena, watching a solitary figure glide effortlessly across the ice.
Watching Ken Rose that winter day also spurred Chan on. It provided, in some small way, the inspiration that would drive him to become the best skater in the world.
"I was in the lounge watching him skate while getting ready and he was nailing these triples like nothing, like butter," Chan recalled in an interview with QMI Agency. "I was, like, 'One day I hope that I can do the same thing.' I just wanted to come into a rink one day and just nail these triples like it's nothing. I look back at that day and think, 'Wow, look at where I am now.' I never knew I'd be where I am now."
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/20/qmi-agencys-canadian-male-athlete-of-the-year-patrick-chan
DAVE POLLARD, QMI AGENCY
FIRST POSTED: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2011 09:31 PM EST
Prepping for another training session that would one day lead to a world championship, Chan looked on, almost in awe, as the skater landed jump after jump. It was done with such ease, so smooth, that it almost overwhelmed him.A youthful Patrick Chan, then a neophyte to figure skating but already dreaming in golden hues, sat tying his skates at a suburban Toronto arena, watching a solitary figure glide effortlessly across the ice.
Watching Ken Rose that winter day also spurred Chan on. It provided, in some small way, the inspiration that would drive him to become the best skater in the world.
"I was in the lounge watching him skate while getting ready and he was nailing these triples like nothing, like butter," Chan recalled in an interview with QMI Agency. "I was, like, 'One day I hope that I can do the same thing.' I just wanted to come into a rink one day and just nail these triples like it's nothing. I look back at that day and think, 'Wow, look at where I am now.' I never knew I'd be where I am now."
Oda out of Japanese Nationals
To read the complete article go to:
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/oda-out-of-japanese-nationals
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 19, 2011
The Japan Figure Skating Championships take place this week, and one of the top names of Japanese skating will not be there. One of the big three in the men's field who have been the stalwarts of Japanese men's skating since the Torino Olympics in 2006, Nobunari Oda, will not be at Japanese Nationals as he continues to recover from a left knee injury.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/oda-out-of-japanese-nationals
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 19, 2011
The Japan Figure Skating Championships take place this week, and one of the top names of Japanese skating will not be there. One of the big three in the men's field who have been the stalwarts of Japanese men's skating since the Torino Olympics in 2006, Nobunari Oda, will not be at Japanese Nationals as he continues to recover from a left knee injury.
The truth behind Patrick Chan’s China crisis
To read the complete article go to:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/the-truth-behind-patrick-chans-china-crisis/article2274646/singlepage/#articlecontent
BEVERLEY SMITH
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 6:24PM EST
Last updated Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 7:08PM EST
Patrick Chan can execute a quadruple jump with expert precision, but he discovered recently, on the eve of a major skating competition, that it's not so much his skates but his words that he needs to watch.
It all started last week, when a newspaper story took him to task for commenting to a reporter three months earlier that he felt underappreciated in Canada, that figure skating was overshadowed by hockey in this country, that skating isn't what it was in Canada years ago and that life would have been different if he had skated for China, where the government pays its athletes' expenses.
A few days after his comments were published, Mr. Chan won the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City – beating the crème de la crème of the skating world. Two days later, the skater, who remains undefeated in 2011, and whom figure skating champion Kurt Browning calls the best skater he has ever seen, was awarded the prestigious Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete. Fellow laureates include Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Ferguson Jenkins, Mike Weir and Sidney Crosby.
Since returning home from Quebec City, Mr. Chan hasn't stopped. He has been running on five hours of sleep a night, and has spent his days giving interviews, talking about his recent wins and those comments that got him into trouble. He is still managing the backlash – especially to the comment that if they hadn't emigrated from China, “my parents wouldn't have had to make as much sacrifices as they had and there would be a lot more respect for what we do as figure skaters.”
A cheerful chatterer at all times, Mr. Chan said his remarks were taken out of context, that he had just returned from a month in Asia and he had been caught up in his enthusiasm for his heritage. He admits he should have been more precise “and a bit more professional” in his comments.
“He does have a bit of a lack of filter,” said William Thompson, chief executive officer for Skate Canada. “We all know that. That is part of his charm, but sometimes his mouth gets a little bit ahead of his thoughts.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/the-truth-behind-patrick-chans-china-crisis/article2274646/singlepage/#articlecontent
BEVERLEY SMITH
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 6:24PM EST
Last updated Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 7:08PM EST
Patrick Chan can execute a quadruple jump with expert precision, but he discovered recently, on the eve of a major skating competition, that it's not so much his skates but his words that he needs to watch.
It all started last week, when a newspaper story took him to task for commenting to a reporter three months earlier that he felt underappreciated in Canada, that figure skating was overshadowed by hockey in this country, that skating isn't what it was in Canada years ago and that life would have been different if he had skated for China, where the government pays its athletes' expenses.
A few days after his comments were published, Mr. Chan won the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City – beating the crème de la crème of the skating world. Two days later, the skater, who remains undefeated in 2011, and whom figure skating champion Kurt Browning calls the best skater he has ever seen, was awarded the prestigious Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete. Fellow laureates include Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Ferguson Jenkins, Mike Weir and Sidney Crosby.
Since returning home from Quebec City, Mr. Chan hasn't stopped. He has been running on five hours of sleep a night, and has spent his days giving interviews, talking about his recent wins and those comments that got him into trouble. He is still managing the backlash – especially to the comment that if they hadn't emigrated from China, “my parents wouldn't have had to make as much sacrifices as they had and there would be a lot more respect for what we do as figure skaters.”
A cheerful chatterer at all times, Mr. Chan said his remarks were taken out of context, that he had just returned from a month in Asia and he had been caught up in his enthusiasm for his heritage. He admits he should have been more precise “and a bit more professional” in his comments.
“He does have a bit of a lack of filter,” said William Thompson, chief executive officer for Skate Canada. “We all know that. That is part of his charm, but sometimes his mouth gets a little bit ahead of his thoughts.
Mao was blessed with a mother who gave it her all
To read the complete article go to: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/print/sp20111214it.html
By JACK GALLAGHER
The past few days have been very difficult. I'm fairly confident a lot of other folks share my sentiments.
Late Friday evening we learned that Mao Asada's mother Kyoko had passed away at the far too young age of 48.
Though some within the Japanese skating community were aware that Mao's mother had not been well for quite a while, it came as a shock to the great majority of people in this country.
It didn't take long for me to start feeling very emotional about this, because I have known Mao and her mother since Mao was a precocious child of 15.
The sadness I felt about Kyoko's life being cut short was multiplied by the concern I had for Mao's future. I think this is what many of her fans and the public are also concerned about.
How do you replace somebody that is irreplaceable?
There is never a good time for a tragedy, but the case could be made that the timing in this instance could not be worse. Just as Mao seemed to have rediscovered her form, she is confronted with this.
We can only hope that Mao is able to battle through this, just as she has overcome other challenges during her career. But the reality is that this is much different than anything else she has ever been confronted with.
It's one thing to not be able to execute a triple axel when you want, completely another when you lose somebody so close to you.
My relationship with Mao and her mother began in early 2006, when they came to a Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan dinner in Tokyo where Mao was accepting the award as the top Japanese athlete of 2005.
Even though the event was organized on short notice, there was a record turnout for the FSAJ that night, one that has not been equalled since, although many prominent guests have followed.
At the end of the evening, I could see that Mao's mother was clearly impressed by the warmth and love that had been shown to her daughter by the primarily foreign audience in attendance.
By JACK GALLAGHER
The past few days have been very difficult. I'm fairly confident a lot of other folks share my sentiments.
Late Friday evening we learned that Mao Asada's mother Kyoko had passed away at the far too young age of 48.
Though some within the Japanese skating community were aware that Mao's mother had not been well for quite a while, it came as a shock to the great majority of people in this country.
It didn't take long for me to start feeling very emotional about this, because I have known Mao and her mother since Mao was a precocious child of 15.
The sadness I felt about Kyoko's life being cut short was multiplied by the concern I had for Mao's future. I think this is what many of her fans and the public are also concerned about.
How do you replace somebody that is irreplaceable?
There is never a good time for a tragedy, but the case could be made that the timing in this instance could not be worse. Just as Mao seemed to have rediscovered her form, she is confronted with this.
We can only hope that Mao is able to battle through this, just as she has overcome other challenges during her career. But the reality is that this is much different than anything else she has ever been confronted with.
It's one thing to not be able to execute a triple axel when you want, completely another when you lose somebody so close to you.
My relationship with Mao and her mother began in early 2006, when they came to a Foreign Sportswriters Association of Japan dinner in Tokyo where Mao was accepting the award as the top Japanese athlete of 2005.
Even though the event was organized on short notice, there was a record turnout for the FSAJ that night, one that has not been equalled since, although many prominent guests have followed.
At the end of the evening, I could see that Mao's mother was clearly impressed by the warmth and love that had been shown to her daughter by the primarily foreign audience in attendance.
Grief-stricken Asada to compete in national c'ship
To read the complete article go to:
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/sports/news/20111213p2g00m0sp113000c.html
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mao Asada, whose mother died last week after a lengthy battle with liver cirrhosis, will compete at the upcoming national championships in Osaka, her management agency IMG said Monday.
Asada is trying to cope with the death of her mother Kyoko Asada, who passed away at the age of 48 at a Nagoya hospital early Friday before her 21-year-old daughter could reach her bedside.
"My mother would rejoice that I'm determined to do what I must do as I aim to achieve my dreams for the future," Asada said in a statement. IMG said a funeral, which was only attended by relatives, was held the same day.
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/sports/news/20111213p2g00m0sp113000c.html
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mao Asada, whose mother died last week after a lengthy battle with liver cirrhosis, will compete at the upcoming national championships in Osaka, her management agency IMG said Monday.
Asada is trying to cope with the death of her mother Kyoko Asada, who passed away at the age of 48 at a Nagoya hospital early Friday before her 21-year-old daughter could reach her bedside.
"My mother would rejoice that I'm determined to do what I must do as I aim to achieve my dreams for the future," Asada said in a statement. IMG said a funeral, which was only attended by relatives, was held the same day.
Figure skating: Grief-stricken Asada to compete in national c'ship
To read the complete article go to:
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/sports/news/20111213p2g00m0sp113000c.html
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mao Asada, whose mother died last week after a lengthy battle with liver cirrhosis, will compete at the upcoming national championships in Osaka, her management agency IMG said Monday.
Asada is trying to cope with the death of her mother Kyoko Asada, who passed away at the age of 48 at a Nagoya hospital early Friday before her 21-year-old daughter could reach her bedside.
"My mother would rejoice that I'm determined to do what I must do as I aim to achieve my dreams for the future," Asada said in a statement. IMG said a funeral, which was only attended by relatives, was held the same day.
Asada had pulled out of the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, Canada, early Thursday and rushed back to Japan after learning her mother was in critical condition.
She was inconsolable after receiving the news of her mother's passing in a text message from her father Toshiharu after arriving at Narita airport on Friday evening.
"When I got to Narita and checked my e-mail, I had a text from my father that said, 'Mom couldn't make it.' And I just cried and cried. I still cannot believe this has happened, but I feel that my mother is looking over me now even closer than before. I cannot thank her enough," she said.
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/sports/news/20111213p2g00m0sp113000c.html
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mao Asada, whose mother died last week after a lengthy battle with liver cirrhosis, will compete at the upcoming national championships in Osaka, her management agency IMG said Monday.
Asada is trying to cope with the death of her mother Kyoko Asada, who passed away at the age of 48 at a Nagoya hospital early Friday before her 21-year-old daughter could reach her bedside.
"My mother would rejoice that I'm determined to do what I must do as I aim to achieve my dreams for the future," Asada said in a statement. IMG said a funeral, which was only attended by relatives, was held the same day.
Asada had pulled out of the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, Canada, early Thursday and rushed back to Japan after learning her mother was in critical condition.
She was inconsolable after receiving the news of her mother's passing in a text message from her father Toshiharu after arriving at Narita airport on Friday evening.
"When I got to Narita and checked my e-mail, I had a text from my father that said, 'Mom couldn't make it.' And I just cried and cried. I still cannot believe this has happened, but I feel that my mother is looking over me now even closer than before. I cannot thank her enough," she said.
Feschuk: Patrick Chan wins Lou Marsh award
To read the complete story go to:
http://www.thestar.com/article/1101085--feschuk-patrick-chan-wins-lou-marsh-award
By Dave Feschuk
Sports Columnist
There’s a simple enough reason why Patrick Chan, the Toronto figure skater, was voted the winner of the Lou Marsh award as Canada’s athlete of the year.
While this country is brimming with world-class sporting talent — and while the Lou Marsh short list included among its ranks the world’s best women’s long-track speed skater, Christine Nesbitt, and the No. 1-ranked men’s shot putter, Dylan Armstrong — Chan ruled his sport with an authority that was unmatched by any of his compatriots. Not only did he capture the world championship in April in Moscow, he registered world-record scores in the process. Not only did he win the ISU Grand Prix final in Quebec City on Saturday, he also went unbeaten in competition for the calendar year. Undefeated is difficult to argue with, of course, which is a big part of why he was the overwhelming choice of Tuesday’s panel of sports writers, editors and broadcasters chaired by Olympic rowing great Silken Laumann.
Certainly the short list included an impressive list of worthy candidates. Along with Nesbitt and Armstrong, the selection committee acknowledged the merits of last year’s winner Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds, show-jumping champion Eric Lamaze and Milwaukee Brewers reliever John Axford. But nobody dominated a sport the way Chan dominated his.
And now that the figure-skating season is in a lull, Chan is pondering his next challenge — specifically, a trip to the Las Vegas strip. Chan’s birthday falls on a day synonymous with the kind of all-night debauchery that city of sin is famous for; he was a New Year’s Eve baby, after all. It just so happens that on this New Year’s Eve, he’ll turn 21 — or, as Chan put it, “the big 2-1.”
“I actually spend most of my birthdays skiing, because I just love it so much — that’s more than enough to make me happy ... put me on the slope,” Chan said. “This is the first time I’m actually going somewhere where something bad can happen.”
http://www.thestar.com/article/1101085--feschuk-patrick-chan-wins-lou-marsh-award
By Dave Feschuk
Sports Columnist
There’s a simple enough reason why Patrick Chan, the Toronto figure skater, was voted the winner of the Lou Marsh award as Canada’s athlete of the year.
While this country is brimming with world-class sporting talent — and while the Lou Marsh short list included among its ranks the world’s best women’s long-track speed skater, Christine Nesbitt, and the No. 1-ranked men’s shot putter, Dylan Armstrong — Chan ruled his sport with an authority that was unmatched by any of his compatriots. Not only did he capture the world championship in April in Moscow, he registered world-record scores in the process. Not only did he win the ISU Grand Prix final in Quebec City on Saturday, he also went unbeaten in competition for the calendar year. Undefeated is difficult to argue with, of course, which is a big part of why he was the overwhelming choice of Tuesday’s panel of sports writers, editors and broadcasters chaired by Olympic rowing great Silken Laumann.
Certainly the short list included an impressive list of worthy candidates. Along with Nesbitt and Armstrong, the selection committee acknowledged the merits of last year’s winner Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds, show-jumping champion Eric Lamaze and Milwaukee Brewers reliever John Axford. But nobody dominated a sport the way Chan dominated his.
And now that the figure-skating season is in a lull, Chan is pondering his next challenge — specifically, a trip to the Las Vegas strip. Chan’s birthday falls on a day synonymous with the kind of all-night debauchery that city of sin is famous for; he was a New Year’s Eve baby, after all. It just so happens that on this New Year’s Eve, he’ll turn 21 — or, as Chan put it, “the big 2-1.”
“I actually spend most of my birthdays skiing, because I just love it so much — that’s more than enough to make me happy ... put me on the slope,” Chan said. “This is the first time I’m actually going somewhere where something bad can happen.”
Dopey comments aside, Chan deserves Marsh award
To read the complete article go to: http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/12/dopey-comments-aside-chan-deserves-marsh-award
BY STEVE BUFFERY,TORONTO SUN
FIRST POSTED: MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011 05:02 PM EST |
UPDATED: MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011 05:27 PM EST
Before the trip, I kind of felt down about my lot in life — you know, the whole short, balding, pasty skin, bad teeth, beer-gut thing.TORONTO - About 25 years ago, I flew over to the British Isles for the first time and developed a new appreciation for my roots.
But after visiting old Blighty, I felt rejuvenated and accepted.
It’s like that famous book about soccer hooliganism by Bill Buford — Among the Thugs. My buddies swear it’s me on the cover. It’s not. But it very well could be me, or 90% of the geezers in England. (A slight exaggeration). I never felt more at home.
The point is this: I understood where Patrick Chan was coming from when he said — following a trip to China, his parent’s homeland some months back — that he never felt more Chinese.
BY STEVE BUFFERY,TORONTO SUN
FIRST POSTED: MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011 05:02 PM EST |
UPDATED: MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011 05:27 PM EST
Before the trip, I kind of felt down about my lot in life — you know, the whole short, balding, pasty skin, bad teeth, beer-gut thing.TORONTO - About 25 years ago, I flew over to the British Isles for the first time and developed a new appreciation for my roots.
But after visiting old Blighty, I felt rejuvenated and accepted.
It’s like that famous book about soccer hooliganism by Bill Buford — Among the Thugs. My buddies swear it’s me on the cover. It’s not. But it very well could be me, or 90% of the geezers in England. (A slight exaggeration). I never felt more at home.
The point is this: I understood where Patrick Chan was coming from when he said — following a trip to China, his parent’s homeland some months back — that he never felt more Chinese.
Canadian duo’s program spins out of control
To read the complete article go to:
http://www.thestar.com/sports/figureskating/article/1100314--canadian-duo-s-program-spins-out-of-control
By Rosie DiManno
Columnist
QUEBEC CITY—Rarely does the lowly death spiral turn into a killer element in pairs figure skating.
Almost never does it result in a big fat zero on the scoring page.
But that’s what happened to the Canadian entry of Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford here Saturday night at the Grand Prix final.
“Never a zero before, no,” acknowledged Duhamel.
The why of it is rather too inside baseball to explain for a general audience but, basically, Duhamel’s head was above her pivoting knee on the movement for the one full rotation hold required to earn any kind of mark.
“Very fluky for us,” said Radford. “It was just a little miscalculation at the beginning. Unless you do a full rotation in that first position, nice and smooth, the whole thing is a zero. And there was just a little bobble in the beginning so we probably lost it right there.”
Still, it wasn’t really going to make much of a difference in the final outcome. Duhamel and Radford, together for two seasons and at their first GP final, were fifth after the short program and that’s where they finished when the whole event was over.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/figureskating/article/1100314--canadian-duo-s-program-spins-out-of-control
By Rosie DiManno
Columnist
QUEBEC CITY—Rarely does the lowly death spiral turn into a killer element in pairs figure skating.
Almost never does it result in a big fat zero on the scoring page.
But that’s what happened to the Canadian entry of Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford here Saturday night at the Grand Prix final.
“Never a zero before, no,” acknowledged Duhamel.
The why of it is rather too inside baseball to explain for a general audience but, basically, Duhamel’s head was above her pivoting knee on the movement for the one full rotation hold required to earn any kind of mark.
“Very fluky for us,” said Radford. “It was just a little miscalculation at the beginning. Unless you do a full rotation in that first position, nice and smooth, the whole thing is a zero. And there was just a little bobble in the beginning so we probably lost it right there.”
Still, it wasn’t really going to make much of a difference in the final outcome. Duhamel and Radford, together for two seasons and at their first GP final, were fifth after the short program and that’s where they finished when the whole event was over.
Ice dancers benefit from infamous French scandal
To read the complete article go to:
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/637443--ice-dancers-benefit-from-infamous-french-scandal
Fri Dec 09 2011
BY STEVE MILTON
QUEBEC CITY Nine weeks from now figure skating will celebrate — oh, so such an inappropriate verb — the 10th anniversary of its greatest infamy.
Technically, the “French judge” scandal of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics occurred in the pairs competition, eventually resulting in a second set of gold medals awarded to Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier.
But the genesis of the crime, allegedly and almost surely, was a trade-off for a pro-France vote by Russia in the dance competition a few days later.
So it is only fitting that the discipline most affected by skating’s radical scoring change that was fast-tracked because of Salt Lake, is that very ice dancing division.
For one thing, ice dancing is infinitely more watchable now than it was in the pre-Salt Lake days, when it was essentially a schlock theme party. Wild costuming, inexplicable histrionics, and melodrama as thin as Jersey Shore were the rule rather than the exception.
Dancing, always the weird kid on the block, has been forced to accept the same incentives and limits as the other three disciplines: the compulsories were finally ditched, every moment on the ice is analyzed and compared to a finite standard; and judging subjectivity, the romper room of chronic cheaters, was severely reduced.
The result was almost immediate: a dramatic shift in power and demographics that is in full blossom at the Grand Prix Final here.
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/637443--ice-dancers-benefit-from-infamous-french-scandal
Fri Dec 09 2011
BY STEVE MILTON
QUEBEC CITY Nine weeks from now figure skating will celebrate — oh, so such an inappropriate verb — the 10th anniversary of its greatest infamy.
Technically, the “French judge” scandal of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics occurred in the pairs competition, eventually resulting in a second set of gold medals awarded to Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier.
But the genesis of the crime, allegedly and almost surely, was a trade-off for a pro-France vote by Russia in the dance competition a few days later.
So it is only fitting that the discipline most affected by skating’s radical scoring change that was fast-tracked because of Salt Lake, is that very ice dancing division.
For one thing, ice dancing is infinitely more watchable now than it was in the pre-Salt Lake days, when it was essentially a schlock theme party. Wild costuming, inexplicable histrionics, and melodrama as thin as Jersey Shore were the rule rather than the exception.
Dancing, always the weird kid on the block, has been forced to accept the same incentives and limits as the other three disciplines: the compulsories were finally ditched, every moment on the ice is analyzed and compared to a finite standard; and judging subjectivity, the romper room of chronic cheaters, was severely reduced.
The result was almost immediate: a dramatic shift in power and demographics that is in full blossom at the Grand Prix Final here.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Fall doesn't faze Moir
To read the complete article visit
http://www.lfpress.com/sports/2011/12/10/19106666.html
By RYAN PYETTE, QMI AGENCY
Last Updated: December 10, 2011 6:03pm
QUEBEC CITY – Scott Moir figures he knows why Patrick Chan slammed into the end boards during his short program.
“Patrick felt bad for us,” quipped the Olympic ice dance champion, whose shocking tumble on his back was upstaged by Chan's booming hit at the International Skating Union's Grand Prix final of figure skating Friday night in Quebec City. “He did a beautiful quad (combo), then wanted everyone to forget what happened to me.”
Moir and Chan, the new crash-and-bash of Canadian figure skating, showed no ill effects of their on-ice incidents the next day.
On Saturday afternoon, the 24-year-old Ilderton native and partner Tessa Virtue took to the ice to work on their Funny Face free dance. They held a meeting after the short-dance fall, which put them five-plus points behind United States rivals Meryl Davis and Charlie White heading into Sunday's finale.
“It's nothing new, we always get together afterwards to re-hash our skates,” Moir said. “Especially after a skate like we had, you want to go back and find things you can improve.
“We didn't expect to be five points down heading into Sunday, but you just have to refocus and go out there and skate the way you can and see what happens.”
http://www.lfpress.com/sports/2011/12/10/19106666.html
By RYAN PYETTE, QMI AGENCY
Last Updated: December 10, 2011 6:03pm
QUEBEC CITY – Scott Moir figures he knows why Patrick Chan slammed into the end boards during his short program.
“Patrick felt bad for us,” quipped the Olympic ice dance champion, whose shocking tumble on his back was upstaged by Chan's booming hit at the International Skating Union's Grand Prix final of figure skating Friday night in Quebec City. “He did a beautiful quad (combo), then wanted everyone to forget what happened to me.”
Moir and Chan, the new crash-and-bash of Canadian figure skating, showed no ill effects of their on-ice incidents the next day.
On Saturday afternoon, the 24-year-old Ilderton native and partner Tessa Virtue took to the ice to work on their Funny Face free dance. They held a meeting after the short-dance fall, which put them five-plus points behind United States rivals Meryl Davis and Charlie White heading into Sunday's finale.
“It's nothing new, we always get together afterwards to re-hash our skates,” Moir said. “Especially after a skate like we had, you want to go back and find things you can improve.
“We didn't expect to be five points down heading into Sunday, but you just have to refocus and go out there and skate the way you can and see what happens.”
Italy’s Kostner conquers jitters on way to gold-medal breakthrough
http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/1100231--italy-s-kostner-conquers-jitters-on-way-to-gold-medal-breakthrough
Published On Sat Dec 10 2011
By Rosie DiManno
Columnist
QUEBEC CITY—In her sexy, slinky catsuit, Carolina Kostner shimmered and glittered.
Unorthodox costume and perhaps more befitting a fetish-y pinup calendar than a figure skating competition.
Physiologically, the 24-year-old Italian is all wrong for the sport, too: Too tall, too long-limbed. Perhaps a tad too old for the game also, or at least heading rapidly in that direction.
But no doubt the lady is tenacious.
And now the lady is a champ.
A veteran of the skating circuit — and sad bust from the Turin Olympics, when put forward prematurely as home-country gold-medal material — Kostner at last has her elite international medal d’or.
On Saturday afternoon, the university art history student nailed down the women’s title at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating here, with an elegant and poised program performed to Mozart that kept Kostner comfortably clear of her challengers: Japan’s Akiko Suzuki, who earned silver, and bronze finisher Alena Leonova of Russia.
Kostner has been banging around the circuit for what seems like ages, twice bronze at the world championships and once silver, though plummeting to 12th the year after that. So, the utterly charming multilingual — Italian, French, German, English — has been all over the place over the arc of her career, if very much the biggest thing in her home country (six times a national champion) and quite nicely decorated on her home continent (thrice European champion).
Published On Sat Dec 10 2011
By Rosie DiManno
Columnist
QUEBEC CITY—In her sexy, slinky catsuit, Carolina Kostner shimmered and glittered.
Unorthodox costume and perhaps more befitting a fetish-y pinup calendar than a figure skating competition.
Physiologically, the 24-year-old Italian is all wrong for the sport, too: Too tall, too long-limbed. Perhaps a tad too old for the game also, or at least heading rapidly in that direction.
But no doubt the lady is tenacious.
And now the lady is a champ.
A veteran of the skating circuit — and sad bust from the Turin Olympics, when put forward prematurely as home-country gold-medal material — Kostner at last has her elite international medal d’or.
On Saturday afternoon, the university art history student nailed down the women’s title at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating here, with an elegant and poised program performed to Mozart that kept Kostner comfortably clear of her challengers: Japan’s Akiko Suzuki, who earned silver, and bronze finisher Alena Leonova of Russia.
Kostner has been banging around the circuit for what seems like ages, twice bronze at the world championships and once silver, though plummeting to 12th the year after that. So, the utterly charming multilingual — Italian, French, German, English — has been all over the place over the arc of her career, if very much the biggest thing in her home country (six times a national champion) and quite nicely decorated on her home continent (thrice European champion).
Chan still learning to be champion
To read the complete article visit
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/scottrussell/2011/12/chan-still-learning-to-be-champion.html
By Scott Russell Posted: Thursday, December 8, 2011 | 07:32 PM
World men's figure skating champion Patrick Chan caused a stir at the ISU Grand Prix Final this week for comments he made about feeling unappreciated in Canada.
It's strange in sport that sometimes words speak louder than actions.
It's supposed to be the other way around.
So it is that the unfortunate comments made by world champion Patrick Chan to Reuters in a September interview have resonated in Quebec City where the greatest figure skaters on the planet have gathered for the ISU Grand Prix Final.
On day one of competition Chan's ruminations surfaced to overshadow anything that was taking place on the ice. All of the great jumps, twirls and spins done at incredibly high speeds were absorbed while spectators whispered of Chan's seemingly disloyal discourse on the lack of appreciation he feels from the folks at home.
In a perverse sort of way the dredging up of this very old news brought a fresh focus to the fascination that Canadians have with their figure skating champions. Now, at the very least, many more fans of sport in this hockey-crazed country know that the figure skating championships are taking place at all.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/scottrussell/2011/12/chan-still-learning-to-be-champion.html
By Scott Russell Posted: Thursday, December 8, 2011 | 07:32 PM
World men's figure skating champion Patrick Chan caused a stir at the ISU Grand Prix Final this week for comments he made about feeling unappreciated in Canada.
It's strange in sport that sometimes words speak louder than actions.
It's supposed to be the other way around.
So it is that the unfortunate comments made by world champion Patrick Chan to Reuters in a September interview have resonated in Quebec City where the greatest figure skaters on the planet have gathered for the ISU Grand Prix Final.
On day one of competition Chan's ruminations surfaced to overshadow anything that was taking place on the ice. All of the great jumps, twirls and spins done at incredibly high speeds were absorbed while spectators whispered of Chan's seemingly disloyal discourse on the lack of appreciation he feels from the folks at home.
In a perverse sort of way the dredging up of this very old news brought a fresh focus to the fascination that Canadians have with their figure skating champions. Now, at the very least, many more fans of sport in this hockey-crazed country know that the figure skating championships are taking place at all.
Joe O’Connor: Patrick Chan’s comments avoid brutal truth about sports in China
To read the complete article visit
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/12/08/joe-oconnor-canadian-skate-champs-comments-avoid-brutal-truth-about-sports-in-china/
Joe O'Connor Dec 8, 2011 – 7:14 PM ET | Last Updated: Dec 9, 2011 8:56 AM ET
Patrick Chan is under fire for suggesting to an interviewer that he might have been better off skating for China.
Patrick Chan is a good kid. Ask anyone that knows him, and knows him well in the insular world of figure skating, and they will tell you — to a person — that the reigning world champion possesses that most admirable of Canadian of qualities. They will tell you that Patrick Chan is “nice.”
But what Patrick Chan told a Reuters reporter back in September — comments that have bubbled to light on the eve of the Grand Prix Final in Quebec this weekend — is that he sometimes feels that Canadians are not nice enough back.
“Sometimes I feel we are not appreciated for how much work we put in,” Mr. Chan said after stepping off a flight from China, the country of his parents’ birth. “If my parents hadn’t emigrated from Canada and, say I had skated for China, things would have been different.”
He would go on to say that, in a perfectly rosy-hued world, he would skate for Canada — and China — a country where, in Mr. Chan’s mind, there is apparently no such thing as human rights abuses and skaters all live sugar plum fairy lives and never have to fret about competing for attention with mean old Canadian hockey players.
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/12/08/joe-oconnor-canadian-skate-champs-comments-avoid-brutal-truth-about-sports-in-china/
Joe O'Connor Dec 8, 2011 – 7:14 PM ET | Last Updated: Dec 9, 2011 8:56 AM ET
Patrick Chan is under fire for suggesting to an interviewer that he might have been better off skating for China.
Patrick Chan is a good kid. Ask anyone that knows him, and knows him well in the insular world of figure skating, and they will tell you — to a person — that the reigning world champion possesses that most admirable of Canadian of qualities. They will tell you that Patrick Chan is “nice.”
But what Patrick Chan told a Reuters reporter back in September — comments that have bubbled to light on the eve of the Grand Prix Final in Quebec this weekend — is that he sometimes feels that Canadians are not nice enough back.
“Sometimes I feel we are not appreciated for how much work we put in,” Mr. Chan said after stepping off a flight from China, the country of his parents’ birth. “If my parents hadn’t emigrated from Canada and, say I had skated for China, things would have been different.”
He would go on to say that, in a perfectly rosy-hued world, he would skate for Canada — and China — a country where, in Mr. Chan’s mind, there is apparently no such thing as human rights abuses and skaters all live sugar plum fairy lives and never have to fret about competing for attention with mean old Canadian hockey players.
Patrick Chan explains Canada comments
To read the complete article please visit
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/figureskating/opinion/2011/12/exclusive-patrick-chan-explains-his-comments-about-canada.html
By PJ Kwong Posted: Thursday, December 8, 2011 | 12:36 PM
World men's figure skating champion Patrick Chan created a stir by saying in an interview that he feels unappreciated in Canada. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
Patrick Chan made headlines Thursday with his controversial interviewwith Reuters, in which the world champion said he sometimes feels unappreciated in Canada, where he feels figure skaters aren't adequately supported.
The story makes for an interesting read, but there's one flaw: the views presented don't match up with the Patrick Chan I know.
The Reuters interview was conducted three months ago, so I find it interesting that this story would find its way into the headlines on the eve of the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, where Chan is one of the favourites.
Do I think Chan said what he said? Absolutely. Do I think there is more to the story? Even more so.
That's why I called Chan on Thursday for an exclusive interview by phone from Quebec City. Here are my questions and his answers:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/figureskating/opinion/2011/12/exclusive-patrick-chan-explains-his-comments-about-canada.html
By PJ Kwong Posted: Thursday, December 8, 2011 | 12:36 PM
World men's figure skating champion Patrick Chan created a stir by saying in an interview that he feels unappreciated in Canada. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
Patrick Chan made headlines Thursday with his controversial interviewwith Reuters, in which the world champion said he sometimes feels unappreciated in Canada, where he feels figure skaters aren't adequately supported.
The story makes for an interesting read, but there's one flaw: the views presented don't match up with the Patrick Chan I know.
The Reuters interview was conducted three months ago, so I find it interesting that this story would find its way into the headlines on the eve of the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, where Chan is one of the favourites.
Do I think Chan said what he said? Absolutely. Do I think there is more to the story? Even more so.
That's why I called Chan on Thursday for an exclusive interview by phone from Quebec City. Here are my questions and his answers:
Chan comments cause reaction at grand prix final
To read the complete article go to
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/636396--chan-comments-cause-reaction-at-grand-prix-final
Steve Milton
December 8, 2011
QUEBEC CITY- Skate Canada officials aren’t upset with a report that world champion Patrick Chan feels unappreciated in this country.
In a story from Reuters Wednesday, the Canadian-born Chan said, “If you look at all the sports in China, the government is extremely involved and they are extremely proud of their athletes. People understand better what we do as skaters.
“Sometimes I feel we are not appreciated for how much work we put in. If my parents hadn’t emigrated from China and, say, I had skated for China, things would have been very different. My parents wouldn’t have had to make as much sacrifices as they have and there would be a lot more respect for what we do as figure skaters.”
The comments were from an interview back in September and Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada’s director of high performance, said Thursday morning that “they were taken out of context. We know he’s proud of the support he receives in Canada.”
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/636396--chan-comments-cause-reaction-at-grand-prix-final
Steve Milton
December 8, 2011
QUEBEC CITY- Skate Canada officials aren’t upset with a report that world champion Patrick Chan feels unappreciated in this country.
In a story from Reuters Wednesday, the Canadian-born Chan said, “If you look at all the sports in China, the government is extremely involved and they are extremely proud of their athletes. People understand better what we do as skaters.
“Sometimes I feel we are not appreciated for how much work we put in. If my parents hadn’t emigrated from China and, say, I had skated for China, things would have been very different. My parents wouldn’t have had to make as much sacrifices as they have and there would be a lot more respect for what we do as figure skaters.”
The comments were from an interview back in September and Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada’s director of high performance, said Thursday morning that “they were taken out of context. We know he’s proud of the support he receives in Canada.”
Patrick Chan said nothing wrong – in fact he’s dead right
To read the complete article go to
http://thestar.blogs.com/
http://thestar.blogs.com/
December 08, 2011
Patrick Chan said nothing wrong – in fact he’s dead right
Listening to a couple of commentators talk about Patrick Chan on the radio this morning, it sounded like he was going to have to surrender his Canadian passport before the Grand Prix Final in Quebec City this week.
They were talking as if the world champion figure skater had reportedly said he would rather skate for his parents’ birth country of China.
The only thing is he never said that. Not once in the Reuters report that is being cited as the source did Chan say any such thing.
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Figure skater Bryce Davison’s career in transition
To read the complete article go to
BY CRAIG SLATER, LEADER-POST DECEMBER 1, 2011 4:07 PM
REGINA — Every journey has a starting point.
For Bryce Davison, the Skate Canada Challenge was one of those stepping stones in his young career before he developed into a two-time Olympian.
This week, Davison is getting a new perspective on the competition taking place at the Co-Operators Centre. At 25, he has retired from competition, but is applying his knowledge of the sport from a coach’s perspective to a handful of skaters. He knows what it’s like to be a teenager competing in a national event.
“Events like these can be the start for many young skaters,” Davison said. “It might not be the start of a career, but perhaps them realizing they can do the things they dream of.”
The Skate Canada Challenge is the only opportunity skaters in novice, junior and senior divisions have to qualify for the Canadian Figure Skating Championships slated for Jan. 16-20 in Moncton, N.B.
Davison needed to succeed at Challenges in order to make the next step in his career. With former partner Jessica Dube, Davison is a three-time Canadian champion and a two-time Olympic competitor (2006, 2010) and a world bronze medallist.
Davison began skating when he was six years old. He said back then he didn’t see himself as a future Olympian, let alone a national champion. He said he “never really thought twice about it.”
But when he reached his teenage years — the majority of the skaters at the Skate Canada Challenge fit that age range — he seriously considered stepping up his game.
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