Hello everyone!  I have returned from the land of the schnitzel!!

 

I am now back in Ottawa, and I thought I would share with you all the experience of Oberstdorf.  I tried to send reports during the week - but fell victim to two things:

(1)- inconsistent email access

(2)- Sheer exhaustion.

 

OK - in my old DND world we called this a trip report:

 

We left on Sunday afternoon Ottawa time, and met most of the team at the airport on Sunday evening.  We arrived in Munich on Monday morning.  Welcome to Germany!  Two things immediately struck me as I arrived in the airport: one, it was incredibly quiet.  Every airport I have ever been to has this ambient noise to it... it was absent in Munich.  Even the baggage carrousel was quiet.  Next thing I noticed was that it was incredibly clean.  Both, I would come to discover, were also true everywhere I went.

 

We waited for another plane, with half of the American team, and then proceeded to take a bus to Oberstdorf.  I worked really hard to stay awake - and it was well worth it, as the view of the rolling hills as you head towards the Alps was incredible.

 

We arrived in Oberstdorf about 2 1/2 hours later (thank goodness for the bathroom on the bus!) - and found our quaint mountain-town hotel.  I’m sure there were other people staying in the hotel.  But it seemed like the owners were there for us alone.  They were so good to us…

 

After getting settled in, I did a lot of walking around… mainly to try to stay awake!  But also to get my bearings, and enjoy the scenery.  It rained a little that day – so I bought an umbrella (left mine on the back seat of the car at home!)  That would prove to be a telling action – because we all know if Patricia is actually prepared for something it will not happen!  So – it didn’t rain again all week!

 

The next day we had unofficial practices… so before I show you the rink, let me share with you the views on the walk to the rink!

  

  

  

I did tell you it was beautiful, didn’t I??  Every day this was the first 15 minutes of my morning!  It was so peaceful and quiet.  For me, it would be impossible to not be in a good mood and positive with this as my first experience of the day!

 

So, Tuesday, we began unofficial practices.  The organizing committee had arranged for us an hour of ice (which we shared with the US and GER teams) for each event -> pairs, dance, ladies, men.  The skaters were ready, and put in a great practice.  It was clear from that moment that they had done their homework, and their training, and had come here to take full advantage of the opportunity to kick some butt!

The rink was quite spectacular for a small town arena.  The flags of the participating nations hang from the ceiling.  There are many offices that are comfortable and well equipt for working (which I had ample opportunity to use!

 

The practice rink (I don’t have a picture!) was also beautiful -> One whole side (200 feet) was all windows, looking out onto the mountains! 

 

Simply Spectacular!

 

While our skaters were practicing, the judges and officials also had one whole intensive day of practicing.  They spent the day doing simulations of judging.  It went well, and all the judges left feeling confident and ready for the week to begin.

 

Wednesday was official practice and set up.  The other teams began to arrive, and we began to get a sense of the competition.  There was no question at that time that we had sent a very strong and competitive team -> and there became a buzz about the Canadian team.  The buzz was not just because of their performances on the ice, but off the ice as well.  I have to tell you that it was an incredible experience to be part of such a positive team.  They were so supportive of each other, so pumped about the opportunity that they had been given, and just all around wonderful people!

This section of the stands in the rink became sovereign property of Canada as the team cheered each other on from the first few rows of Section “A” every day!  These seats were right behind Peter’s Krick’s seat at rinkside… and I must say that the Canadian enthusiasm provided much enjoyment and laughter for Mr. Krick during the week!

 

Thursday – the first day of competition.  For me, personally, this was a very special day.  Inside, I could feel nothing but pride as we worked the day towards the first competition with the new judging system.  I think I smiled all day… and I must admit I had a few butterflies as the day progressed… hoping that it would go well.  That said, I really truly felt that regardless of how the week went we – every person in the rink – was about to be an integral part of the history of our sport.

 

I remembered the last thing that Bill said to me as I left Ottawa: “Celebrate your success,” he said to me… and I had an overwhelming need to share that sentiment.  So, off I went to a card store… and in my non-existent German and the sales-ladies’ broken English I found a beautiful card about the realization of dreams.  Back to the rink I went, and sat in the stands writing a letter to Peter Krick, Mario Meinel and Ted Barton -> thanking them for all their work of the last year.  For their commitment, dedication and endless hours of work.  For their passion for the sport and the athletes, and for the kind way in which the managed every moment of the project over the last 18 months.  The sport will never again be the same – regardless of the outcome of this year, and regardless of any political vote in June -> the sport has a new awareness!  So, I told them in the midst of the chaos of the competition to remember to take a moment to celebrate this success.  And as I wrote, I found myself celebrating our success as well.

 

The competition had not even begun, and in my heart and soul I was celebrating Canadian success.  On a long day in February of 2002 we all, in our own way, committed to this day in Oberstdorf.  As an association we became champions of change in this sport.  While the idea was that of Mr. Chinquanta, and the commission did a lot of the work, Skate Canada stood alone in the figure skating world in its level of support and commitment to this reform – from the very beginning.  While others battled about cheating and bias and played the political games, we – the organization of Skate Canada – saw the bigger picture, saw that our sport had fundamentally lost its way and its commitment to the athletes, and we – the association – moved to do everything possible to make the sport a better place for the athletes that call figure skating home!

 

I had goose-bumps as they played the music to begin the competition.  When they called the first skaters to skate, I sat in anticipation… and as we waited for the marks, I held my breath.  And, I report to you that this mathematician had tears in her eyes as the first marks appeared on the scoreboard.  It worked!

 

It didn’t all go perfectly.  There were glitches along the way... but there were contingencies in place on all counts.  There were enough redundancies in the set up to find and correct all of these problems

 

And with that, the focus went back to the skating!  Regardless of the method by which the results were going to be calculated – there was skating to be enjoyed – and a competition for Canada to win.

 

The compulsory dances were an interesting affair, with results like you have never before seen in figure skating -> including the favorites, who skated a weak dance, finishing fifth!!! When has that ever happened?  Our Canadian dancers had the task of starting the team off.  There were some tentative steps as they skated, but they exited the ice with smiles on their faces, having survived that portion of the competition.

 

Next up was the men.  Watching the event, it was clear that Canada was to have a distinct advantage in the transition period of implementing this new system – and that advantage will be most felt in the men’s event.  Eventually many will catch up, but while the world has been focusing only on jumps, our coaches have been committed to the “all-around” performance -> regardless of the short-term impact that may be felt in any particular competition.  It was clear watching this event that many, if not most, had not yet figured out that it would no longer be only a jumping contest!  Our athletes have that figured out!  Nicholas skated a brilliant program!  He was pumped at the beginning of the day – unbelievably ready to be a part of history.  His positive energy as he came into the rink was something to behold.  And after the skate, he was glowing.  The marks went up, and he held a decisive lead… and at the end of the day had a 9-point lead!  While others were trying to figure out what that meant, we all knew that he had just put down a performance of a personal best!

 

The pair event was next on that day.  First and third was the end result for Canada after the short program.  Our teams were ready, polished and competitive in their execution of their programs – and they were rewarded for such in their marks.

On to day two.  The men and pairs would finish on this day, ladies would begin, and dance would continue (their event is so long…)

 

Leslie Hawker!  What can be said about this girl.  Gayle has decided that her story must be told… so I won’t tell it now… except to say what an amazing role model she is!  The girl never stops smiling, and she wears her love of skating on her sleeve!  AND – she is a former STAR Skater! J  Second place is where she found herself at the end of the day.  And while everyone else was debating whether she should have been first, her only comment was “man, I have a lot of work to do on spins!”

 

In the end, the ladies event would prove to cause the most discussion, with people wondering how it was that the person who did the harder jumps (i.e., Leslie) did not win J

 

Ice dance – I think Bill has already used the line “holy movement!” but I’ll use it again: “Holy movement.”  It is interesting that regardless of whether you agreed with the actual results, the skaters instantly began to believe that the competition was not over… that the next day really did matter, and that if they really did skate well, they really might move up in the standings… it was such a positive feeling… even when the results were not what was desired.  This is so different from the past, where a weak placement after one segment of the competition left the athletes feeling dis-empowered.  Quite the contrary.  It would be my observation that the results of this segment left our dancers feeling totally empowered.

 

Ok – Then the men took to the ice.  It will be interesting that something our skaters will need to learn to deal with is having a huge lead.  They have never had to do this before.  It is something that athletes in other sports have always had to overcome (well, those that are talented, anyway!)

 

So – Nick had a huge lead after the short.  He skated a solid program.  Scott Smith of the US was in the unfortunate position of learning (the hard way) that coming second in the short meant nothing if you didn’t put down a performance to get a lot of points.  He went for it all in his attempt to catch Nick… but he had given away too much in the short program… and Nick did his job in the free program… and at the end of the day Nick became the champion!  His first international victory, and for at least 6 weeks, the holder of the World Record!

 

 

Up next – the pairs!  Canada has a rich tradition in pairs, something that does not escape our athletes and coaches… they wanted and expected to be on the podium…

 

The dynamic of this event was very different than the men.  After the short program, the competition was very close, and mathematically it was anyone’s game… but in the hearts and minds of our Canadian team it was only their game!  And they came through with flying colors (and flying ladies!!)  Two exceptional performances left us with Gold and Silver… and again, for at least 6 weeks, the World Record holders!

It was another happy day for Team Canada…

On to Saturday – the final day of the competition!  We started the day with the ladies event.  The depth of the field was somewhat lacking, but as every competitor skated, it was clear that the system was rewarding quality of skating, and was clearly identifying the different groups of skaters.  There was no question about the results as they went on the board.  The final group of skaters took to the ice.  It was going to be another interesting day of seeing how the system rewarded quality… In the end, Jennifer Don of the US came first, Leslie Hawker from Canada second and Olga Naidenova of Russia third… interestingly, Olga came from 9th, more than 6 points behind, to win the bronze medal!  Those people who have been fighting against this new judging system have been preaching that it will destroy the sport, and make it only a jumping contest… as we always believed to be the case, this event proved decisively that this new system, more than any in the past, protects and rewards quality skating and a balance of performance in all aspects of the sport!  Congratulations to Leslie for displaying such a well-balanced and confident performance as to win her second medal in as many international assignments!

 

Up next – the dance event… Our dancers were there to give it everything they had, and take full advantage of the new system, and the movement that it allowed.  They all gave 100% in this step along their path.  At the end of the event, they finished in 7th and 8th, and gave yet another illustration of how the new system is all about creating a more positive experience for the athletes.  Tara and Tyler skated from 4th position.  They skated brilliantly and received marks that showed that.  As the event progressed, other teams began to pass them (they were several points behind at the beginning) – but with every passing team, Tara and Tyler smiled with the knowledge that they continued to hold the lead in the technical score for the competition.  And in the end, they held the highest technical score for the day!  Shae and Judith, though disappointed with a less than best performance, embraced the new judging system, and all that it had to offer in the detailed protocol.

 

Competition over.  New Judging System a success – and Team Canada an overwhelming success on and off the ice!  The biggest question at that point became which country would win the overall title.  We knew, given the results that it was close between Canada and the USA.  And the team was unbelievably proud when it was announced that they had won.  Canada is almost always in the top three – but this is only the 5th time in the history of the event (35 years) that we have won the overall title.  These athletes accomplished wonderful things at this event… and should be very proud of everything that they gave!

 

The trophy is a beautiful piece of crystal, which will look beautiful in our display cases.

 

Next the closing banquet, and a sleepless night of packing… and on to the plane to come home.  19 hours later… back in Ottawa.  The detailed results of the competition (including all the scoring) have now been placed on the ISU website… take a look at the history: http://www.isufs.org/events/nt03/index.htm

 

It was a fabulous trip for the team.  We should all be so incredibly proud of each and every performance that the athletes gave and the work that their coaches have given to them.  They are what make this sport such a wonderful place; and they are why we do the endless hours of work that we all give to our jobs.  They, as a group, displayed unwavering committed to personal excellence.  They, as a group, showed incredible trust in us as we move the sport to a new place.  And, they, as a group, embraced change and showed the world the impact of hard work, positive energy and belief in themselves.  I am proud to have been witness!

 

Albert Einstein said (yes, I am a geek, I’m quoting Einstein!) “The level of thinking that got you where you now are will not get you where you dream of being.”  May we all, as members of a passionate organization committed to supporting the excellence that was displayed by each and every member of team Canada this past week, continue to expand our levels of thinking and acting to help move to where we all dream of being!

 

Thank you for the opportunity to be in Oberstdorf, and for indulging in my 8 pages of sharing.

 

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

 

Patricia