January2006

So you want to go to the Olympics

By PJ Kwong

We are already into 2006 and no doubt we have all started thinking about the upcoming XXth Olympic Games taking place in Torino, Italy from February 10 – 26.

With the start of the BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships this week in Ottawa, many of the skaters are thinking the very same thing and are preparing to do battle to earn a berth on our Canadian team.

The selection guidelines are determined by a set of criteria established by the International Skating Union (ISU) for entry into the Olympic Winter Games.

The rules include age restrictions and numbers of athletes to compete at the Games. In the case of the Games in Torino we will see no more than 30 each of Ladies and Men, 20 Pairs and 24 Ice Dance teams. Within each discipline, 24 of the entries in the singles events and 16 in the pair’ event and 19 in the ice dance event, will be determined according to the point system that is currently in place for determining Worlds entries. The remaining entries are assigned to ISU member countries in highest order of world ranking with one spot in each discipline being reserved for the Olympic Host country (Italy) if they have failed to qualify otherwise.

What this means for Canada is that based on our results at the 2005 World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow last March, we are entitled to send 3 Men, 2 Ladies and 2 each of Ice Dance and Pair teams.

What makes Canadians so exciting is that there are other things that go into the mix when selecting skaters to represent our country in Italy. So, in addition to placement at this year’s event, Skate Canada can look at placements at the previous year’s Junior and Senior World competitions as well as placement in Junior and Senior Grand Prix Events and respective Grand Prix Finals.

There are no guarantees; it’s anyone’s game…. So cheer on your favourites!

Next Stop...

Olympic Memories By Deanna Wright

The first time the Olympics meant anything to me was in 1962. My sister and I had the privilege of being members of the Unionville Skating Club where Debbi Wilkes and Guy Revel skated. That year, Debbi and Guy brought home to Canada the Olympic Silver Medal in Pairs! Until all the excitement, I have no idea what it meant to be an Olympic athlete or to go to the Olympics. I still remember Debbi in her stylish Hudson’s Bay Olympic Coat. I remember being in awe of their acrobatic lifts, and the fact that Debbi didn’t bump her head or lose a blade on the low beams of the arena, as Guy lifted her high in the air. And I remember realizing the rush of air that I felt seconds after they skated by, was from the speed they generated!

What made the greatest impression on me as a young person was Debbi as an Olympian – she (and her Mom) ALWAYS had a warm encouraging smile for each one of us. I’m thrilled to say, that whenever I have met Debbi again as adult, she still has that same warm smile.

Check out Debbi Wilke’s skating column, reporting from Nationals in Ottawa by clicking on www.tsn.ca

Olympics Memories Contest

Share your Olympic Memories with us!

Click info@dresswright.com to send us your favourite memory or share your opinions! We will start posting stories on our home page and after the Olympics are over at the end of February, we will send the winning entry a $50.00 Dress Wright On Ice Gift Card! (It will be a random draw).

Welcome Winterfest Competitors!

Dress Wright On Ice is the closest skating store to Hershey Centre, for all your last minute skating needs from Laces and tights to Sharpening!

Fill out a ballot at the store to WIN 2 Free All Event Tickets to the 2006 BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Synchronized Championships Mar 2 – 5 Hamilton, Ontario.

Imagine the Possibilities!

Good Luck, Skate Hard - 'tll next time!

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January 2006 Edition