once again, half empty glass vision...
Here is my half full glass vision
Dance : Weapo are continuing.. they have said so. They are getting the programs they need to do so. They simply couldn't miss such an opportunity as the Thank you Canada Tour.... they have NEVER been in the judges favour... even when they'd show up at GPF and win it... at worlds, they wouldn't... so who cares??? They will show up later, and place wherever they will place... many thought they were done after V/M came back... and that they would linger around 5 or 6th in the world : oh well... SNAP with a World's bronze. Considering the Shibs will be absent ....I don't see why they would end up outside of the final flight... there, anything can happen.
G&P : they have been living in the shadow... fair enough .. but this fall, they will be shining. They have a good chance at finishing 2nd at both their GP events which would mean GPF. Judges have liked them... they are a good team.... we will have to see how their elements accumulate positive GOE as I think that the fact that they are always so well trained and skated so effortlessly before made it look too easy... it will be the opposite here with the new system as skating effortlessly is a mandatory bullet point.
How can we not be excited about Laurence and Nkolaj? They have grown tremendously over the last few years... worlds at home for Laurence in 2020... finally having the chance to compete, they are certainly shooting for 2022.... very promising. Nikolaj is an amazing partner and they have everything it takes to make up ground.
Soucisse Firus have less pressure now to become the top dogs and can continue to develop instead of having to shoot for the top. I think that there are still learning as they are so young in the ice dance world and they will be a top team soon enough...
Let's not forget Lajoie and Lagha... and WOW at the new junior teams... There are not many countries in the world that has the depth in dance that Canada has...
Do i need to continue??? My glass is already overflowing.
Let's calm things down talking about pairs. Well : every 4 years, after the Olympics, there is a low. It's just the cycle. Seguin/Bilodeau split was unexpected... I will give you that... but look what happened when Dylan and Kirsten (it's not Kristen btw) split after Sochi.... many of you, half empty glass people said it was the end of everything... well we got two new very valuable teams : Dylan and Lubov were the ones winning 3 spots for Canada at Helsinki... and MTM2.0 placed very well at worlds this year... considering that many teams are sitting out, injured, retired or have split, I can see MTM2.0 in the GPF. It is their year to shine AND it was ALWAYS part of the plan : Kirsten wanted to be there for 2022 knowing that the first 4 years would be building blocks... and then the last quad would be on attack mode. A career, at this level, is finely planned out. I used to cringe when I would see Michael lift.... not anymore. He has grown tremendously. Sure, the retirements and splits have left Canada fragile here but most country would love to have at least ONE good team... we do have that. We will see what Walsh and Michaud can do in seniors. We will see if Drew and Camille get the one piece missing to their puzzle ( a good twist) and more importantly, we will see how the new split brings on two new teams (or not) to the scene.
Ladies : Kaetlyn was having a new short done... so she is not retiring. At least, she is not, at this moment planning to retire. SO there. Gabby is working hard. Alaine has new motivation and a new coach YAY! Larkyn has shown a clip in which she looked fabulous. Perhaps having that berth was beyond her expectations and ruined it for her last year.. I agree, despite having seen her land gorgeous jumps (3s3t, 3f) she has struggled after nationals...
I wouldn't worry so much as well, the top 3 is still strong... and we have a couple young girls who are developing and could become stars. I am thinking about Aurora Cotop and also one we don't talk about much Sarah Maude Blanchard who has both good flips and lutzes... she is just starting to do better on the junior scene as a late bloomer. There are a few others as well and I believe it could be Alicia Pineault's year. Veronik is also coming back though I don't expect her to be in top shape after two years out...
Men : yes... Patrick left with big shoes to fill.. That's only because not a lot of skaters win worlds 3 years in a row and accumulate 3 olympic medals... yes... we have been blessed to have such a wonderful skater... but Canada isn't Spain... Javier gone... not much left there... Patrick gone : Keeagan intends to keep skating as long as he can, Kevin wants to keep going... Nam seems to have a healthier for him coaching arrangement, his programs are really nice this year....and those are the old boys....
Do not forget that between them and Gogo, there are some young dudes still able to make a name for themselves. Conrad has improved his skating tremendously. Joseph had a first rough summer outing but it was better than other years and he gets better as the season goes... hie new short is wonderful... there two guys with Nic and perhaps Bennet could fill in the gap from the older ones mentioned above and Gogo... IMHO we won't have to wait four years to have success with the men....
Finally : who cares about World Team Trohpy??? It's a fluff event to boost skating in Japan... with rules that make sure they will win
really....as a Canadian, I can tell you that I only care about the one team event that is presented at the Olympics... all the rest, Japan Open WTT and the hilarious WTC is just there to give skaters another chance to compete and earn big money. YAY.
I served you a glass half full... up to you to take it over your half empty one.
