Skate Canada recently announced  a 10 year deal with CTV/TSN to bring the 2 annual domestic figure skating events to Canadian fans. Almost from the moment the announcement was released, I started receiving messages via Facebook (mine and Skate Canada's), email and Twitter (@skatingpj) asking what this meant for me and the coverage on Bold and the main network. I didn't have any information but when and if I did, I said would write about it here.

It was just announced on Wednesday that CBC and the ISU have reached a five year agreement regarding the TV rights in Canada for international figure skating events like the Grand Prix Final, the Four Continents and Worlds among others.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/figureskating/story/2011/06/08/sp-isu-cbc-deal.html 

I reached ISU Vice-President David Dore for comment:

"I am very delighted at the commitment shown by CBC in this new contract with the ISU. They have shown their belief in and enthusiasm about the current direction of ISU Ice Sports and a keen interest in keeping the Canadian fan base keenly abreast of the development of skating athletes the world over. The futire looks very bright for all parties and I am very encouraged by this direction in sport in Canada and the world. I look forward to future CBC programming and the world coming to Canada."

I was as interested as anybody to find out on a practical level what this means as far as coverage for the upcoming season. CBC's  Senior Director, Sports, David Masse had this to share

"Figure skating is extremely important to CBC. Our commitment has been unwavering and we have demonstrated that commitment by covering Canadians as they compete against the best in the world and by finding new and innovative ways to appeal to skating fans."

The specifics of exaclty what and how things are going to look have still to be determined because, well, it's tennis season <lol>.

Jeffrey Orridge took the position of Executive Director CBC Sports Properties in early April and is the man under whose watch this deal has happened. I wanted to know  from him, on behalf of fans, what place does international figure skating hold in the overall picture for sports on CBC?

"Basically the agreement fulfills CBC's promise to deliver marquee signature events that both entertain and engage Canadians. It allows our viewers to watch Canada's best and the world's best compete in not only figure skating but speed skating because that is what the deal encompasses."

More exciting for me in my conversation with Orridge was to find that he believes, as do I, that sport is a way of connecting people.

"The whole impetus behind this part of what our mission is, is to showcase Canada and Canadians in professional and amateur sport and connect Canada through nation building events. Those defining moments in Canadian sports: seminal moments like Worlds or the Stanley Cup that galvanize people and communities. Figure skating's community is connected by presenting the pre-eminating events from around the world."

Go Canada!

Gentle Readers,

Shortly after posting my most recent blog featuring Bryce Davison, Dylan Moscovitch and the IceMen, I received the following comment from "RickG":

"performing with the guys"...... "Bro-mance"....."we support boobies" - honestly ...boobies?? Can you hear the adolescent giggle from there?......"like being part of a Men's Beer League Hockey Team"..... GOT IT PJ. Male figure skaters in Canada are 100% heterosexual.

I felt the need to respond.

1. The terms in quotation marks are the ones that Dylan and Bryce used during our lighthearted chat.

2. "boobies" is a silly word regardless of who uses it.

3. I am pretty sure that there are gay people in figure skating. I am also pretty sure that there are gay people in pretty well every other group that you can think of from hockey to acting to accounting to teaching to singing to construction work to nursing and beyond. The thing that all of these people working in these groups have in commoen is that what they do behind closed doors is not my business (nor yours). The question of being gay or straight is not one I would ask or answer if it were asked of me. In 2011 does it even matter?

When Ice Nightmare (and now the Ice Men) began back in the day, part of its' success and longevity has come down to the fact that it was a chance for a group of guys to hang out together which isn't the norm in this solitary sport. For people who don't know this, as a competitive boy figure skater, you are more often than not the only one in your club. Having the chance to goof around  with like-minded people is exactly the same as is found in sports teams across the country. You only need to go down the street to your favourite watering hole in the summer to see sports teams enjoying camaraderie and laughs  together once the game is over.

Setting the record straight (gay?) is what I wanted to do here. My purpose in writing the piece was to highlight Bryce's return to the ice and to recognize the IceMen in their efforts. I am sure if RickG felt that this was somehow a forum for me to discuss sexuality in skaters, then there are others who are thinking it. In other words  writing out  this response allows me the chance to offer what was on my mind. I am grateful to RickG for taking the time to formulate his/her opinion.

As a person with "boobies" - my heartfelt thanks goes out to the IceMen and to everyone else making a difference in the world.

Here's hoping the sun holds out for the weekend....

Cheers,

Pj

I was reminded on Saturday that the best part of figure skating is the people.  As one of the announcers for the 2nd Annual Margaret Garrison Memorial COS skating show, I was in the Brampton Powerade Centre for rehearsals and as The Icemen hit the ice, there was a young man in a plaid shirt whose fast and easy footwork I recognized. Make that I recognized most of the IceMen - but this was special - none other than former Canadian Pair Champion Bryce Davison. if you remember, Bryce had sustained a pretty serious knee injury during a freak loop jump landing last Fall that required some extensive surgery and when he and I last connected it was during a BOLD broadcast when he was just off crutches.  To see him on the ice with that inimitable grin was a treat to say the least and then being able to catch up with he and current Canadian Pair Champion Dylan Moscovitch made it even more fun. The IceMen along with their predecessors Ice Nightmare have raised about $40,000 for breast cancer research.

Bryce admitted to joining the troupe after seeing them at the Hamilton SC show (his home club) where Dylan pursuaded him to join the IceMen for the final show after learning the routine off the ice. What does he like about performing with the guys? "It's a good cause and I like to be able to give back to skating." Bryce continues to say that the 'Bro-mance' is pretty irresistible as is skating with guys against whom he has competed for a long time. The chance to blow off steam for skaters doesn't come around very often - so when it does present itself, skaters take advantage.  As one of the veterans, Dylan has been skating with the IceMen and Ice Nightmare before it since about 2000 and says with confidence "We are Victoria's Secret".  Like some kind of a naughty 12 year old, Bryce challenged me to report that "we support boobies" - honestly ...boobies?? Can you hear the adolescent giggle from there???? (Note to Bryce - ya gotta know I'm not one to back away from a challenge!)

Both guys said that being part of the IceMen is like being part of a Men's Beer League Hockey Team - just as much fun - only a lot less cool.  I dunno - I think raising that kind of coin a little bit at a time is cool to the gaziillionth degree :). If you want to catch the IceMen (www.theicemen.com)  - put the Mariposa Gala on August 4th at the Barrie Molson Centre on your calendar.If you want to see more great skating pics (like this one - Thanks Justine!) go to www.justinechiu.com - Dylan and Bryce are in the pink wigs :)

Oh yeah - how's the knee Bryce?  He was skating fast and looked great.

"My knee is in the same spot it was before. It is going to need more time but it is feeling pretty good." It was an unexpected thrill for me to see him with skates on!

Their attention turned back to the ice where World Champion Patrick Chan was practicing. As he doubled a jump, Dylan yelled "WIMP! You call yourself a World Champion??" Then Bryce said "Ooooh Patrick Chan - do a hitchkick!!" and they continued to affectionately razz the daylights out of the younger skater. Bryce commented with pride at how far Patrick has come since the first time he competed on the senior circuit and had Bryce as his roommate.  The laughs are shared by all three guys with smiles extending on to the faces of the people watching the rehearsal around the rink - like me.The friendship and the fun in figure skating - feels like home to me.

I have often said that figure skating is like a family; albeit a wacky family from time time. Just as often though are the well-meaning and generous intentions from insiders and fans alike. Two of my skating "cousins" Mario and Tanja are a part of a group of skating friends who want to support Japanese relief efforts. Thinking that it was an important cause, I asked for the details to pass along to you. Just another reason that some of the people I know make me proud to be part of this "family."

Skating Friends Support Japan

Figure skating related fundraising action for Japan kicks off with moved World Championships

Who: A group of skating friends decided to start a long-term fundraising operation with regards of the close connection between figure skating and Japan.

What: All the funds that are collected on the internet platform https://www.nyjalccfundraising.com/ will be used directly for victims of the disaster areas in Japan, through the Lions Club International.

Why: The ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011 were scheduled to take part in Tokyo, Japan, in March. As a result of the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, the championships were postponed and moved to Moscow, Russia (April 25 to May 1). Figure skating is a very popular sport in Japan and figure skaters all over the World love competing and performing in Japan.

As with everything else - do what you can. Every little bit helps.