For me, the real work of the Games starts in about 12 hours when the pairs take the oce for the short program. All of the preparation for us is to be able to present all of the athletes’ preparation to the best of their ability.
I have been at the venue numerous times since arriving over a week agao to go over details with Peter and Mario and Amanda and Brian and Mike and as much as anything else I feel blessed to be part of such an amazing team. (These names are just a few of many…)
Josee Chouinard, two-time Olympian for figure skating is part of our team and we were talking yesterday and she said that as an athlete she had never really given any thought to anything about the Olympics outside of her own experience. Being here and seeing things from a perspective that is different from her “athlete on the ice one” makes her treasure those memories of her Olympics even more.
The great thing about the figure skating event will no doubt be the skating.
I have seen most of the pair contenders in practice and have a couple of comments to offer: I still stand by my original prediction that the tw0-time Olympic bronze medallists and three-time world champions form China, Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao will take the title. Former world champions from China, Qing Pang and Jian Tong also looked in practice like they were ready to play.
Although I haven’t seen the Russian teams I will say that the German two-time world champions, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy had moemnts of great speed in their practice but, honestly looked a little tight. No doubt the pressure is excrutiating. they have had a difficult season. They do have an impressive technical arsenal which will have an impact on the field if they can produce it.
The Canadians are also looking good: Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison drew me in once again with the emotionality and romance of their The way We Were free program and had a GREAT triple twist which is what they will need to do in order to land where they want to be. Anabelle Langlois and Cody hay looked realaxed after side by side triple jumps and seemed happy and unfazed by being on the Olympic ice.
Am I excited? You bet!