Coming to you live at GM Place in Vancouver host of the 2001 World skating Championships......
Hi, My name is Beth, former skater and skating fan for like ever!!! I've been to many shows and numerous competitons like Skate Canada, Canadian Championships etc... This is my first time attending the Worlds and even better that it is in my home town! I feel like this is a dream come true and I am more than excited. I hope to see as much skating as possible and will be like a "skating zombie" I'll fill you in with my observations, comments and celeb sitings whenever I get to a computer! Hope you enjoy the Worlds through my eyes....Cheers, Beth!!!
Men's Practice - 8:30am
First Flight: Elvis, no Emanuel.
Second flight: Abt, Plushenko, Yagudin a no show!
Elvis looked in good form, confident focus relax typical Elvis, he looked fit. Did a brief part of Gladitor (Long Program), looked good, usual style. Elvis did a few triple axel, triple toe combo's. Few clean, a couple of falls. Then get this he landed a quad toe, triple toe, doulbe loop, that's Right Plushy big trick....in Elvis's arsenal lol Hope he does it, can't lose lol.....I don't know if the other men feel he's a threat but he is a dark horse so don't count him out....
Plushy solid as usual, looks older and more confident, ran thru a bit of his free the artist part, he makes it look so easy he was relaxed and smiling.....
3rd Flight: Eldredge a no show, but Goebel was there looking good impressed with the height of his jumps, again he loked relaxed....no other suprises in the Men's.
Ice-Dance:
What can I say B&K have the best looking OD, their side by side footwork is impressive, their speed was good , excellent edge control....suprised at how much older they both look. Good crowd response but they did not sign autographs :(
D&L looked good nice lines but are not a threat to B&K interesting to see where they will place.
FP&M were no shows was disappointed as were D&V hope to see them in the next practice, I have a feeling they may take the gold but I have to see them in person to know for sure if they have it....not a personal favorite, I've always found his edge control to be weak but looking forward to seeing their much raved about speed.
A&P I was impessed especially since it was my first time to see them in person. I really liked their laid back manner, they really looked happy to be there, interacted well with the crowd was nice to see, by the way Gwendel man a hottie in person and his hair was in control lol Still not thrilled with thier OD, good but not their best.
Pairs:
S&P looked good relaxed,great reception from the crowd, still a bit shaking on the side by side triple toes, a good partical run through of the short, they get better each time I watch them.
Kris & Kristy Wirtz ,they are looking good, a noticable boost in confidence after the great skate in Canadians hoping for a clean short for them, will be interesting to see how they place.
No B&S shame but hopefully tomorrow.
B&A were good no P&T either I think some skaters haven't arrived in town there are 2 practice sesssions per day going on at the sime time at 2 arenas.
Eye Spy in the crowd Debbie Wilks, Steve Milton, Dave Randorf, Ushi.
Will catch the Ladies practise tomorrow, all in all a great first day of skating....more news to come .. stay tuned to Ice World!!! Cheers ~Beth
Friday March 16, 2001