Team Canada prepares to kick a little booty in 2010

[SailorGalaxia518]

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071015&content_id=34739&vkey=ice_news

 

[slutskayafan21]

I am a Canadian and I think we have a pretty good team moving forward towards 2010. It is easiest to be optimistic about the pairs and dance since we have good younger teams moving up, especialy Moir/Virtue and Dube/Davison. It is harder to be optimistic on the mens since I have my doubts on Buttle at this point, doubts on Mabee ever being a real contender at that level, and doubts on if Chan and/or Reynolds would be ready by then. The womens I am not that optimistic on, Rochette is reaching a pivotal point of her career if she is ever going to truly crack the elite, there is nobody else on the horizon with that potential at all.

 

[all that]

I am a Canadian and I think we have a pretty good team moving forward towards 2010. It is easiest to be optimistic about the pairs and dance since we have good younger teams moving up, especialy Moir/Virtue and Dube/Davison. It is harder to be optimistic on the mens since I have my doubts on Buttle at this point, doubts on Mabee ever being a real contender at that level, and doubts on if Chan and/or Reynolds would be ready by then. The womens I am not that optimistic on, Rochette is reaching a pivotal point of her career if she is ever going to truly crack the elite, there is nobody else on the horizon with that potential at all.

Do you think Mabee can never be a contender at that level, or just that he won't be ready by 2010?

 

[slutskayafan21]

Do you think Mabee can never be a contender at that level, or just that he won't be ready by 2010?

I am thinking it will be hard for him to ever be a real contender at the world level. I hope I am wrong, and I will be thrilled if he proves me wrong. It isnt that I dont think he is a good skater, I do think that and I think he could continue to have a nice career for himself. It is that he is already in the same age group as Weir, Joubert, Lambiel, Lysacek, Takahashi, Oda. Those guys are mostly 1 year older, 1 year younger, or the same age. So he would need to be closer to them then he currently is IMO. It just isnt that common for someone who makes their first Worlds at 21 to make it to the podium someday.

 

[Antilles]

I'd like to see them do well at home in 2010, but Canadian skaters have a history of underperforming at the Olympics. Also, while many host countries get an Olympic boost, Canada does not. Out of the two previous Olympics held in Canada, not a single gold medal was awarded to a Canadian.

I'm sure we'll break that dubious record in 2010 and I'm trying to remain especially hopeful for our skaters in Vancouver.

 

[slutskayafan21]

Well Canada wants to top the medal tally in Vancouver with their "Own the Podium" program. I personally cant imagine that ever happening for us as much as I would love it. Topping even the East Germans in the medal tally, that would be amazing. Of course figure skating isnt probably one of the biggest areas they are looking to for medals, but any contribution would be nice. If the team could somehow win 3 medals that would be phenomenal, but I am thinking 2 is more realistic.

 

[npa]

 

[npa]

I think, that canadian skaters cant have medals in Vancouver. I really love this team - Buttle is my favorite skate, Virtue-Moir and Dube-Davison too, but...
Its sad, but Jess and Bruce have some regress in there skating in past year - it was very difficult time for them, but in this season i saw really high level perfomace from Muchortova-Trankov, who have hard time too. But i didnt saw any progress in D/D skating at Canadian tests - and its very sad...
Virtue-Moir - its ice dancing, and only teams with big experience take medals in it (excpt B/A in Torino). And i cant see how they can beat Del/Shol, Dom/Shab - they have there places at podium because ther age and experience. And as for B/A - they cant beat them, because they have one coach, who need medals in Sochi too.
In ladies i cant see Rochett on podium with Sasda, Kim, Ando, Misner - who made easy 3+3 combo
Jeff take his medal in Torino. Another skaters didnt have quads, consistent 3 ax - wich they must have today and judjes must see this

 

[sillylionlove]

Well I hear the US wants to kick butt too!!

 

[backoutsideedge]

Do you think Mabee can never be a contender at that level, or just that he won't be ready by 2010?

I personally think he's a bit of a headcase. Hopefully he'll prove me wrong but so far he's been incredibly inconsistent in competition.

I think Canada's only legit medal hope for 2010 is Virtue & Moir. Dube & Davison would have to skate clean, and others mess up for a shot at the podium. You'll have P&T, the Zhangs and S&S as the front-runners. D&D will probably be fighting for spots 4-6 with M&T, K&S and V&M.

I'm personally banking on Patrick Chan to be the new Canadian Champ, if not this year, then next. He'll probably be Canada's biggest medal threat in the mens event in 2010.

If Joannie skates in 2010 like she did in 2006 in Turin, she could have shot at a bronze. The ladies event is usually unpredictable because nerves come into play and the girls mess up.

 

[JonnyCoop]

Is Shawn Sawyer considered to be a has-been already or something?? I thought he skated a fabulous program in Torino, one of the best of the competition, and has impressed me a LOT more than Mabee has. Yet there has been very little mention of the possibility of him being on the Oly team.... what gives??

 

[slutskayafan21]

Is Shawn Sawyer considered to be a has-been already or something?? I thought he skated a fabulous program in Torino, one of the best of the competition, and has impressed me a LOT more than Mabee has. Yet there has been very little mention of the possibility of him being on the Oly team.... what gives??

He has definitely slipped down the depth chart in Canada in the last year. The judges dont really rewards his original and interesting moves, and I think the fact he is a skater who cant land a triple axel cleanly affects how he is viewed. Yes I think it will be a challenge for him to make it out of Canada again with Buttle, Mabee, Chan, and Reynolds.

 

[Ladskater]

I am a Canadian and I think we have a pretty good team moving forward towards 2010. It is easiest to be optimistic about the pairs and dance since we have good younger teams moving up, especialy Moir/Virtue and Dube/Davison. It is harder to be optimistic on the mens since I have my doubts on Buttle at this point, doubts on Mabee ever being a real contender at that level, and doubts on if Chan and/or Reynolds would be ready by then. The womens I am not that optimistic on, Rochette is reaching a pivotal point of her career if she is ever going to truly crack the elite, there is nobody else on the horizon with that potential at all.

You are Canadian? Why the negative post then? Good grief! Let's at least show some support for our team. I think we will be proud of all of our skaters - just for being there. Go team Canada.

 

[slutskayafan21]

You are Canadian? Why the negative post then? Good grief! Let's at least show some support for our team. I think we will be proud of all of our skaters - just for being there. Go team Canada.

My post was not a negative post, it was a realistic one. Note I said I thought we had a good shot to get a couple medals, that is not exactly negative. I would suggest moreso realistic in thinking then thinking Mira Leung will be the next Liz Manley but to each ther own.

 

[fumie_fumie]

This year's nationals will be exciting in men's, ice dances and in pairs.
Especially in men's, we have about 5 or 6 guys with triple-triples, triple axels and possibly quads.