Skating

I was thinking of writing a longer piece but I don't really have time. My apologies: this is choppy.

Readers will know that hockey and curling are very popular in Canada, but so too is figure skating.

My mother and sister are big fans. I'm a bit at a loss here when I watch, because they know all the skaters and all the backstories. They went to the Worlds in Halifax a couple of years ago and loved it.

I watched the skating (pairs, long program) with a friend the other night and was reminded of the great skaters of the past (e.g. Kurt Browning, Elvis Stojko) and watching with my family. I have cousins in Hamilton who were also major skate fans, and rabid fans of Elvis. (Alas, one cousin is no longer with us.)

Between them all, I was thrown back to 1990-1991 when I was last really "into" the skate scene, even if through osmosis. It was surprisingly emotional: I remembered having certain fears and hopes that are with me to this day, and I wondered how I could "lose" figure skating for so long. (That last one is easy: there isn't as much coverage here, and over the years, it is only natural that I pursued my own interests).

As I write this though, I'd like to watch it with my family. I've joked that I have to call home and find out the real story behind what I just saw.

CC

ps. Canada has 2 gold medals!

pps. NBC showed a whole profile on Alexandre Bilodeau and the presentation of his medal. I was delighted.