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Inside Edge
The lowdown on Skate Canada (Part II)
| Source: |
CBC Sports |
| Date: |
November 6, 2007 |
| Author: |
Kurt Browning |
The long programs were full of potential.
With world champion Brian Joubert out in front it seemed as though we
were sure about who would win this thing already, but that left the
rest of the pack to fight it out for the other medals. The next five
or six skaters, I can't remember, were within two points of each other
leaving it wide open going into the long.
Vaughn started out the whole competition by skating first in the
short. This meant he was the lowest-ranked skater in the event but he
skated so well that he jumped up into the final flight for the
long. This was good news for him, but great news for us at CBC because
it meant we could start the live show with Vaughn in the final flight
of skaters. He did not dissapoint either. Even though he had a turn
after his second triple Axel, I think we can give it to him because it
was his goal this season to land two triple Axels in his long. Good
for you, Vaughn. During the show I went on about how Sandra Bezic did
great work for him allowing him to skate open and relaxed.
Kevin van der Perren then jumped his way up to the top ... jump, jump,
jump, jump, and then some more. Again, he seemed slow at the end of
his program and we not sure he would not be on the podium with such a
poor performance and footwork. But the experts were wrong and he not
only made the podium but was second in the long. So, if he can improve
in those other areas then watch out ... could be dangerous.
Christopher Mabee had a few small mistakes but should be happy,
however it was Jeffrey Buttle who will be wondering what went on this
week. I know for a fact that sometimes you just don't feel right at an
event and that is a difficult thing to fight against.
Like I said (in my last post), I think we are putting tons of pressure
on Jeff asking about quads and triple Axel combos and I am hoping this
was just one of those weeks. Go for it Jeff and learn from this week,
but please put it behind you so that you can have a good
season.
Yannick Ponsero of France gave up a chance to be a bit of a hero back
home by letting the program get away from him - too bad,
actually.
Then Joubert surprised me so much by falling on his quad that I
actually really did not know what to say. The fall surprised him as
well and he said it threw him off. He certainly pulled it together
quickly and the gold was never in peril but when I talked to him after
he smiled that great smile and said, " I have work to do". I was very
happy with how he moved across the ice and it looks like he will have
a good base to work with to improve towards a defence of his world
title.
With Jeff, Yannick and Brian not having their best skates, the event
ended on a little bit of a low point. That said, what I think we can
all look forward to is a great showdown at the Canadian championships
as this year's worlds teams is just NOT set at all. Vaughn and Patrick
Chan and others are going to make this very exciting. Emanuel Sandhu
... come out, come out, wherever you are and join the party, or
not?
See you at Nationals.
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