2023-24 British and Irish Figure Skating

[CaroLiza_fan]

You made me look up to see if Cav had retired yet, I see he's going for one more year good grief!

Well, he is determined to get that Tour De France stage win record. Can't blame him, really. It would be some achievement.

Oh lord, I've been mashing them together every which way and somehow come up with Caneiries and now I can't get it out of my head. It's terrible. It might have stuck.

Caneiries?! You'll be putting them in a cage and sending them down the mines next!

Laughing at this image of a maple tree with a sad haircut

Well, here it is:



(Google Street View image from June 2021)

also laughing at someone complaining over leaves being in their garden....

To be fair, there were an awful pile of leaves. Plus, she might have been getting back at us after I cut a couple of inches off the top of her hedge earlier in the year.

You see, when we took out our leylandi hedge about 15 years ago, my Dad put up a fence that was the same height as the smaller hedge on our neighbour's side. But since her husband died about 10 years ago, that hedge doesn't get cut as regularly. It grows very quickly, and by the time she gets a guy to come out to cut it, most of the branches are as much as a foot above the fence. Although he does a good job tidying it up, he never quite manages to get it back to the height it is meant to be. So, I got fed up a few months ago and decided to cut it down to just below the top of the fence. It looked bad at first, but by the time the guy came to cut it, he was able to cut it to the correct height. And it no longer looks like it had ever been cut back. So, my idea worked out perfectly!

I kept coming across these beautiful red Japanese maple leaves on a walk the other day and for the life of me I couldn't see where they were coming from. Maybe they were the last ones off the tree...

Japanese Maples are such beautiful trees. My Dad planted one next to the leylandi hedge at the side of our back garden when I was about 4, and it has now grown into a really beautiful tree (taking the hedge out and putting in a fence has really helped give the tree space to grow freely). About 20 years ago, he planted another one as the centrepiece at the back of the garden. Unfortunately, he planted a Daphne tree beside it, and when they grew they were getting in each other's way. So, he started grooming them into ball shapes. And that Japanesse Maple looks awful now! Especially when you turn around and see how beautiful the other one is.

(Hmmm, Japanese maples... I wonder if there are any Canadian teams that could switch to Japan?)

But, the question is - would Japan want teams that have spent a lifetime skating to Michael Bublé and Céline Dion? They mightn't be able to un-do the indoctrination.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Diana Delafield]

But, the question is - would Japan want teams that have spent a lifetime skating to Michael Bublé and Céline Dion? They mightn't be able to un-do the indoctrination.

CaroLiza_fan

On the other hand, everyone and their trained poodle is skating to Hallelujah lately, and that's Canadian-origin music. Even kd lang sang it at the opening of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and what it had to do with a winter sports festival I never did figure out

 

[Weetos]

Well, here it is:

View attachment 7354

(Google Street View image from June 2021)

Well it is, er... unique

But, the question is - would Japan want teams that have spent a lifetime skating to Michael Bublé and Céline Dion? They mightn't be able to un-do the indoctrination.

CaroLiza_fan

I will not be ashamed to admit that I listen to both of these artists and I would actively support skating to them. I can't actually think of many programmes using either, we should have more!

According to instagram Lewis took the Caledonian sleeper up to Scotland. I really love a good train journey - I had a scare earlier this year when I was recovering from a virus and it gave me the worst travel sickness I've ever experienced, on a TRAIN... I've never felt ill on a train before. Fortunately it hasn't been a long term thing.

 

[Ruthypegs]

Well it is, er... unique


I will not be ashamed to admit that I listen to both of these artists and I would actively support skating to them. I can't actually think of many programmes using either, we should have more!

According to instagram Lewis took the Caledonian sleeper up to Scotland. I really love a good train journey - I had a scare earlier this year when I was recovering from a virus and it gave me the worst travel sickness I've ever experienced, on a TRAIN... I've never felt ill on a train before. Fortunately it hasn't been a long term thing.

Good for Lewis taking the sleeper. Sorry to hear about your virus, that sounds nasty.

I also love a good train journey - I'm taking the train back from Europeans in January, so that should be interesting! You probably already know about this site - but it's brilliant for train travel - https://www.seat61.com

 

[DSQ]

According to instagram Lewis took the Caledonian sleeper up to Scotland. I really love a good train journey - I had a scare earlier this year when I was recovering from a virus and it gave me the worst travel sickness I've ever experienced, on a TRAIN... I've never felt ill on a train before. Fortunately it hasn't been a long term thing.

Good for Lewis taking the sleeper. Sorry to hear about your virus, that sounds nasty.

I also love a good train journey - I'm taking the train back from Europeans in January, so that should be interesting! You probably already know about this site - but it's brilliant for train travel - https://www.seat61.com

I love Seat 61, he needs to release another book.

Lewis was doing a paid advertisement for Caledonian Sleeper but it’s the sort of advert I love. The sleeper is a good product and the most comfortable way to travel home from London, if not the quickest way!

 

[Weetos]

Ash and Atl (and Tao) have been selected for the winter youth olympics in January. Hopefully will be a great experience for them and good prep for worlds!

 

[FlossieH]

Ash and Atl (and Tao) have been selected for the winter youth olympics in January. Hopefully will be a great experience for them and good prep for worlds!

That is an excellent opportunity for them all. I hadn't realised we were ranked high enough to send anyone to the winter youth olympics.

 

[Weetos]

That is an excellent opportunity for them all. I hadn't realised we were ranked high enough to send anyone to the winter youth olympics.

I'm not familiar with how it works but from wikipedia it looks like Phebe and James earned the ice dance spot by placing 4th at jr worlds

 

[FlossieH]

And Ed must have earnt the spot for Tao.

 

[Ruthypegs]

A really interesting article (part 2 of 3) by Anna Kellar about the Pairs discipline.

Part 2 features quotes from Ana and Luke, and their coach Simon Briggs - https://anythinggoe.com/the-future-of-pairs-part-2/

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Just popping in to let you know that Torvill and Dean were on tonight's episode of "Emmerdale".

Yes, the real Jayne and Chris. Not their namesake reindeer that were on the programme last week.

They started off on the ice, and then headed back to the Woolpack. The on-ice scenes were filmed at the Planet Ice rink in Leeds.

I suppose it is all part of the build-up to "Dancing On Ice" starting in the new year.

Incidentally, the presenters have now been confirmed. Holly Willoughby will be returning, with Phillip Schofield being replaced by Stephen Mulhern (quelle surprise! He presents practically everything now! ). I know I have never watched the programme before, but I will definitely not be watching now. I cannot stand Stephen Mulhern, and actively avoid programmes that he is on (which is why I was so annoyed when ITV got him to present the "Catchphrase" and "Deal Or No Deal" re-boots. I loved those programmes when they had their original presenters. But I can't bear watching them now). He was OK when he was a children's TV presenter, but since he started doing grown-up TV, he has been unbearable!

Want me to make you feel old? In 2 weeks from yesterday, (4 days before the new series of "Dancing On Ice" starts), it will be 20 years since Holly and Stephen started presenting "Ministry Of Mayhem", alongside Michael Underwood. If you want a trip down memory lane, here is the first episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL8hZi8eUoM

But, all the best to all the skaters taking part. There are some pretty familiar names to us skating fans. Including one of my kids! (Well, I didn't so much adopt her; I more inherited her. She is a former girlfriend / Pairs partner of a skater who is now the boyfriend / Pairs partner of a skater that I adopted when she was doing Singles).

Maybe I would need to watch it, then...

CaroLiza_fan

 

[FlossieH]

I tried to make myself like dancing on ice, and totally failed. I absolutely hate all the hype, which is all the show seems to care about. Part of me has tried saying that I 'should' like anything which increases public awareness of figure skating. The rest of me sees so little skating in the programme that I don't see how it can promote interest in actual figure skating - just a false image of what skating involves.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I tried to make myself like dancing on ice, and totally failed. I absolutely hate all the hype, which is all the show seems to care about. Part of me has tried saying that I 'should' like anything which increases public awareness of figure skating. The rest of me sees so little skating in the programme that I don't see how it can promote interest in actual figure skating - just a false image of what skating involves.

That is exactly the same as I feel about it.

I know it was their baby, but I am surprised that Jayne and Chris stuck with it when they saw what it had become. They are serious Ice Dancers. They have the medals to prove it. If I had been them, I would have been walking out as soon as it became apparent that it was not going to be about promoting Ice Dancing, but more about promoting the celebrities taking part.

No harm to the skaters, but one thing I find hard to accept is the number of Pairs skaters that take part in the series. This is supposed to be a series that promotes Ice Dancing. So, why do they have skaters on it for whom Ice Dancing is not their speciality? It just increases confusion amongst the general public about Pairs Skating and Ice Dancing being two totally different thingss.

But, at least it gets ice skating onto mainstream TV. Even if it does not really relate to the sport that we love.

It would be interesting to know how many of the kids coming through now were inspired to take up the sport by watching "Dancing On Ice"; how many were inspired by watching the sport on TV; and how many took it up after going to the local ice rink with their friends and finding they liked it. I wonder if the Fed have ever done that sort of survey. If they haven't, they should. It would be fascinating to find out. And then we could properly assess whether the series has had a positive impact on the sport in these islands.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[ladyjane]

I always think 'the Battle of the Blades' on Canadian tv is more fun: a hockey skater and a figure skater (pairs or ice dancing) make (show) programmes. They start with quite a few such couples and every week one falls off, there's a jury (with always an ex figure skater and an ex ice hockey player) in it, and the public may choose which couple of the 2 least scores may stay for another week, and eventually there's a final. I'm sure there's more to it (themes, music, etc.) but I've seen throws, exquisite lifts, and lovely ice dancing on there.

The focus is on skating. And that's the thing!

 

[thatdarncat]

I tried to make myself like dancing on ice, and totally failed. I absolutely hate all the hype, which is all the show seems to care about. Part of me has tried saying that I 'should' like anything which increases public awareness of figure skating. The rest of me sees so little skating in the programme that I don't see how it can promote interest in actual figure skating - just a false image of what skating involves.

I feel the same, I watched the first series but found it a bit cheap and cheesy, it doesn't really promote figure skating although I guess it has inspired some to take up skating. The Russian version was better.

 

[thatdarncat]

That is exactly the same as I feel about it.

I know it was their baby, but I am surprised that Jayne and Chris stuck with it when they saw what it had become. They are serious Ice Dancers. They have the medals to prove it. If I had been them, I would have been walking out as soon as it became apparent that it was not going to be about promoting Ice Dancing, but more about promoting the celebrities taking part.

No harm to the skaters, but one thing I find hard to accept is the number of Pairs skaters that take part in the series. This is supposed to be a series that promotes Ice Dancing. So, why do they have skaters on it for whom Ice Dancing is not their speciality? It just increases confusion amongst the general public about Pairs Skating and Ice Dancing being two totally different thingss.

But, at least it gets ice skating onto mainstream TV. Even if it does not really relate to the sport that we love.

It would be interesting to know how many of the kids coming through now were inspired to take up the sport by watching "Dancing On Ice"; how many were inspired by watching the sport on TV; and how many took it up after going to the local ice rink with their friends and finding they liked it. I wonder if the Fed have ever done that sort of survey. If they haven't, they should. It would be fascinating to find out. And then we could properly assess whether the series has had a positive impact on the sport in these islands.

CaroLiza_fan

I loved Torvil and Dean as a kid when they had their come back in 1994, but since Dancing on Ice have gone off them, I feel it does figure skating a disservice and I think they enjoy the celebrity status it gives them.

 

[WednesdayMarch]

I wouldn't know Stephen Mulhern if he introduced himself...

Whilst I'm not a great fan of Dancing on Ice (needlessly noisy and dangerous), I do enjoy the skating journeys of the "celebrities" involved. I usually have no idea who most of them are, but they're still people with a skating journey and as an ex-coach, that interests me.

This year, we've had a couple of the competitors training in Bristol, which has been interesting. One of them (Michael Edwards, aka Eddie the Eagle) has been practicing hard on public sessions and off ice in the (public) "warm room". The other, who I am reliably informed is an ex-Love Island competitor, has floated around in front of the camera on the specially coned off bit for filming, but I have yet to see her actually skate properly or practice anything.

 

[FlossieH]

I wouldn't know Stephen Mulhern if he introduced himself...

Whilst I'm not a great fan of Dancing on Ice (needlessly noisy and dangerous), I do enjoy the skating journeys of the "celebrities" involved. I usually have no idea who most of them are, but they're still people with a skating journey and as an ex-coach, that interests me.

This year, we've had a couple of the competitors training in Bristol, which has been interesting. One of them (Michael Edwards, aka Eddie the Eagle) has been practicing hard on public sessions and off ice in the (public) "warm room". The other, who I am reliably informed is an ex-Love Island competitor, has floated around in front of the camera on the specially coned off bit for filming, but I have yet to see her actually skate properly or practice anything.

Interesting. What's the better that she gets further through the series based just on getting the popular vote from being a love island star?

If there was more focus on the actual skating journeys, I would probably enjoy it more.

 

[WednesdayMarch]

Interesting. What's the better that she gets further through the series based just on getting the popular vote from being a love island star?

If there was more focus on the actual skating journeys, I would probably enjoy it more.

I don't know, I think that the nation has a lot of fondness and respect for Michael (Eddie). It's usually the Coronation Street stars who get the furthest based on the popular vote rather than skating ability. I'm not overly convinced that Love Island is much of a plus point!

And I really wish there was more focus on the skating journeys and, well, actual skating rather than just bints being carried around or flung into adagio pair tricks. (I absolutely loathe that bounce spin that they call "the headbanger".)

 

[FlossieH]

The headbanger is ugly. I guess it maybe appeals to general viewers because the head going near the ice means that they can see the danger for themselves and thus be 'thrilled' or excited by the move. There are plenty of other dance combination spins which are at least as difficult (probably more difficult in some cases, and also dangerous) and could better show skill and originality - it's just the lack of obvious danger in the eyes of casual viewers makes them less appealing to casual viewers. I think it would be great to have a week or two with all the scenery and props left out to really focus on just the skating, but that would never appeal to the majority of viewers who are attracted to the showbizz and hype and to whom the skating is purely incidental. They would still watch if it was glammed up aerobics or yoga rather than ice skating.