Blog Sources

Skate Canada

U.S. Figure Skating

CBC Skating

Skating Museum

Vancouver 2010 Skating

International Skating Union

A Museum all about skating? Oh my!

The World Figure Skating Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado preserves the history of figure skating as a sport. It is open to the public to visit, but also private rentals of the exhibits are available.

The museum also hosts the Figure Skating Hall of Fame. This includes not only American nominees but as well international skaters.

The site provides mainly information about the museum but in order to fully understand the museum you would need to visit it. However, the website clearly explains where the museum is located, so it is possible to visit it.

I've never visited this museum but have been to museums with figure skating exhibits. So a museum all about skating sounds like my kind of museum.

U.S. Figure Skating

Just as there is an organization specifically for Canadian Figure Skating, there is also one for American figure skating. It has the same purpose as Skate Canada but is focused on U.S. skating.

The site provides news on the homepage pertaining to American skating as well as information about international competitions. It provides information about the senior competitive skaters that compete on the international scene.

The site is a guideline for clubs across the United States as well as provide information about volunteer and coaching opportunities in skating clubs across the United States.

It has detailed information about events and the results of American skaters. The site has a lot of information about American skating but not much about the sport of skating in general. Therefore, in that regard it is not a useful source if you wish to learn about the sport itself.

However if you are an American and are interested in finding a local club or seeing news about your favourite hometown skaters, then this is the site to check out.

Vancouver 2010 Figure Skating Coverage

The Winter Olympics are almost upon us, only a few months away. So the 2010 Olympic website is set up in preparation for the skating competition.

It already has the tentative schedule for the events starting in early February. It will be updated as the events take place early next year.

Also, it currently provides images of the last Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Also, it provides a standings of the awarding of medals in the Turin Olympic Games. These will change when the Olympics begin in 2010.

Also it provides information about the sport and some special features including the training skaters go through. There are many interviews with Canadian Skaters such as Joannie Rochette.

The site still does not have much information on it, but has information from the past Olympics. However, once it starts the information will be changed in order to be relevant. Visit the official 2010 Winter Olympic Games here.

CBC Skating—for all your Canadian skating news coverage

CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company), has a specific section its website that is devoted to figure skating. It displays the sport schedule as well as video of Canadian skaters. There are also features about specific skaters or competitions.

The figure skating page can be found in the Sports section of the website. There is not too much detail on the website, though it is nice to have video of Canadian favourites. There are also articles written about the skaters and events which provides some opinion into the sport.

The site has little explanation on the sport itself, so anyone who is not too familiar with the sport won't find this much of a help. However, for avid followers of the sport, it provides up to date information on competitions and puts it into the Canadian perspective.

Visit the website here.

ISU — the official union of skating

The International Skating Union (ISU), is responsible for the regulating of international figure skating. This includes requirements for competition such as program lengths, type of music, and required elements. It also regulates judging of international competitions. The ISU organizes the Grand Prix circuit which includes various competitions such as Skate Canada and Skate America. It is through the ISU that skaters enter international competitions.

The site provides various information about the rules and regulations of competitive figure skating. This includes the required elements in each program and outlines how points are to be awarded to skaters.

Also, it provides skater biographies of the leading competitors around the world. However, the site does not just pertain to figure skating but as well speed skating.

If you are interested in learning more about the origins of competitive skating and the current rules and regulations, check out the International Skating Union's website.

Skate Canada, for all things Canadian skating

Skate Canada is the site to go to for anything and everything skating in Canada.

It is the main organization for figure skating in Canada, and is responsible for regulating municipal figure skating clubs. It also hosts many competitions for both the competitive stream as well as the non-competitive stream. It is the home page of the Canadian national figure skating team who will represent Canada at the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

It also provides a section called "Know Your Skating" which provides more information on the sport and its requirements. This includes the various elements, judging schemes and a glossary of skating terms.

The site also provides the results of many events held in Canada such as Skate Canada, a part of the Grand Prix circuit. There is also information on how to purchase tickets and also on upcoming events.

Many opportunities to be a part of the Skate Canada organization are available and listed on the site. These include volunteering, coaching and officiating.

Overall, the website is effective in giving information about figure skating in Canada and is the legitimate authority for Canadian skating. It also includes a "Hall of Fame" of past members of Skate Canada and their contributions to skating.

Visit Skate Canada

International Skater Profile: Sasha Cohen

Skater Bio

Name: Alexandra (Sasha) Cohen

Birth Place: Los Angeles, California

Birthdate: October 26, 1984

Team: United States

Career Highlights: 2006 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2003 Grand Prix Final Champion, 2006 U.S. Champion

Sasha Cohen has always been one of my personal favourites. She was supposed to make her comeback in this season however she withdrew from both Skate America, and Tromphee Eric Bombard. However, during her prime a few years ago, she was a fierce competitor. She has beautiful spins and one of the most amazing spirals I have ever seen.

Sasha is extremely artistic and is able to express that through her skating. Her jump posture is beautiful however she has difficulty keeping focused and holding her landings. Her flexibility makes her able to do some of the more difficult spiral sequences and allows her to do her amazing 180 degree spiral.

Sasha also delivers some amazing performances. I especially enjoyed her Romeo and Juliet program. This video is from the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Although she falls on her first two jumps she still medals and wins the silver. It does however showcase her beautiful spirals and artistry.

Overall, Sasha has a beautiful artistry in her skating, it's a shame she can never quite seem to get her technical elements to match.

Canadian Skater Profile: Joannie Rochette

Skater Bio

Name: Joannie Rochette

Birth Place: Ile Dupas, Quebec

Birth Date: January 13, 1986

Team: Canada

Career Highlights: Five time Canadian national champion, 2009 World Championship silver medalist, 2008/2009 Four Continents silver medalist, Represented Canada at the 2006 WInter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.

Joannie Rochette is one of Canada's shining stars. Her athleticism and grace make her a well-balanced athlete. Her split is amazing, and her spins are phenomenal. I also enjoy her many exhibitions but especially her current one to Madonna's "Die Another Day". My skating club did a number to that song a few years back and I've always felt it is one of the most edgy and innovative songs to choreograph to.

So here are some of my personal favourite programs by Joannie.

First, her exhibiton to "Die Another Day". I love this program because of the intricate choreography. Joannie is a wonderful performer and shows it brillantly in this routine. I personally enjoy the sequence that starts around 2:07 when Joannie walks through the lasers. Overall it's an entertaining routine that shows her fun side.

My other personal favourite is another of her exhibitions to Celine Dion's "Vole". It is beautiful choreography, showcasing her grace as well as her strength. Her spins are goregous in this performance and the footwork between elements is beautiful as well.



Joannie's definitely going to make the Canadian Team proud at the 2010 Olympics. With her grace and strength there's no way she won't make it to that podium.

Visit Joannie at her official website.

Skate Canada—Canadians win big

Skate Canada finished up this past week, and the Canadians proved that they're still a force to be reckon with. The Canadians managed to rack up two golds and two silvers.

Quebec native Joannie Rochette took home the gold in the women's event. The Canadians continued medaling when Jessica Dube and Bryce Davidson received bronze in the pairs events.

It was no surprise that Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir would win for ice dance, however, it was Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje who surprised everyone by placing third in ice dance.

Patrick Chan placed a shocking sixth in the men's event. However this is the first competition he's been in since his injury. So it'll take him some time before he's back performing at 100%.

Overall, it was a good showing for the Canadians especially on home ice. In only a few months the Canadians will return home again to compete in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Ice Mom Blogs it like it is—in the skating world at least.

The blogging community gives us information any topic you can imagine and skating is no different. One of the most interesting blogs I have come across is Ice Mom, a blog about skating from the skating mom perspective. Diane, the creator of Ice Mom explains the reason for her blog, the blog community and the upcoming Olympic Games.

Salchow Central (SC): What made you decide to start blogging about figure skating?

Ice Mom (IM): I decided to start Ice Mom because I felt like I was pretty much on my own when it came to the figure skating world. I started the blog about 18 months ago when my daughter and I were new to skating. I searched online for product information and resources that would tell me how the figure skating world worked and what the expectations are. I was making so many mistakes and learning so much that I thought I'd leave a breadcrumb trail for other parents who were trying to figure it out.



SC: What is your favourite part of blogging?

IM: My favorite part of blogging is seeing my audience grow. It's fun to read comments from parents from all over the world, from parents with way more experience with figure skating than I, from coaches, and from judges. The most difficult part is coming up with ideas for posts. Well, that's not entirely true. I have tons of labor-intensive ideas for posts. I have fewer ideas that work for my Monday lunch hours.



SC: Do you feel that blogging about skating has kept you connected to the skating community?

IM: I feel way more connected to the skating community since I began the blog. I'm always looking for story ideas, so I have a heightened awareness when I go to the rink. I've met bloggers and skater glitterati online, too. I correspond with Aaron, who runs the popular Axels, Loops, and Spins blog, I'm in contact with A Team on the Edge's authors, who are the parents of the current U.S. national men's champion, Jeremy Abbot. The few people who know me personally are always hunting for stories for me, too.



SC: What are you most looking forward to about the upcoming Winter Olympics?

IM: The Winter Olympics will be fun to watch, especially for those lucky enough to make the trip to Vancouver. I'm very interested to watch the pairs teams because I just finished blogging about The Second Mark by Joy Goodwin, which is about the 2002 Olympic judging scandal. Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo will compete again and I'd like to see if they attempt their throw quad Salchow. That'd be cool.



You can find more from Ice Mom Diane at http://icemom.blogspot.com

Figure Skating Blogger Speaks About Blogging, Community and Olympics

Jennifer Kirk is a former competitive skater who’s love for the sport has been manifested into a blog for TrueSlant.com. She loves what the blog has given her—a voice. “I never really had an outlet to speak out about some of what goes on behind closed doors in the skating world and other injustices in the sport. “ Kirk said in interview.

She’s enjoyed the light she’s been able to shine on the sport and being able to include her own experiences in her blog. The blog hasn’t only given her a way to express her love for the sport but also to keep in touch with the skating community. “I've connected with many skaters whom I had been in close contact with during my career but fell out of touch with after I left the sport. “

As well, the blogging world has given Kirk a way to still be apart of the skating world even after leaving competitive skating. And as for the upcoming Winter Olympic games? Kirk said that she can’t wait to see all the disciplines but especially the comebacks. Kirk mentions Shen and Zhao among the comebacks she wants to see. But Plushenko is the one Kirk is most looking forward to, “I think because of Plushenko's return, the men's event will probably be the most exciting this season.”



Follow Jennifer's blog at www.trueslant.com/jenniferkirk/

The Cutting Edge comes to life.

Most of us in the skating community have seen the movie "The Cutting Edge". It's the story of a ex-hockey player becoming the partner for a lone figure skater. Miscommunication and love ensue.

However, the CBC has taken the main plot of this 1992 movie and run with it. Their new show "Battle of the Blades" sees past figure skating stars and ex-hockey players joining together to compete each week to a panel of judges to win.

Some familiar faces from the skating community are present such as Jamie Sale and Shae-Lynn Bourne. For any of you who, like me always wanted to see the hockey players in my local rink try to skate like I did, you will definitely want to fill in. The show is currently in the fourth week.

If you want to know more the show site has lots of information about the competitors as well as recaps.

Season starts with a bang for Canadian skaters

It's the start of the figure skating season and this year all bets are off. With the Vancouver 2010 Olympics just around the corner the pressure's on to compete. The Canadians have started the season off with two medals wins at the first Grand Prix event in Paris this past Saturday.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won gold in ice dance while Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison won the silver in the pairs competition. Not too shabby considering this is only just the start of the season.

Noteably absent was Patrick Chan who pulled out of the competiton due to a muscle tear. Definitely a smart move on Chan's part not to strain an injury this early in the season, especially in an Olympic year.

Personally I cannot wait to see more from the Canadian team, especially Dubé and Davison, it takes a lot to come back from an injury as severe as hers was. But it takes even more passion and dedication to become a full fledged competitor only two years after it. For those of you who don't recall what I'm talking about watch this.

It's looking to be a great season for the Canadian team, and with more Grand Prix events on the way there's no doubt this year the Canadians will be the ones to beat.

Who Am I?

Well, that is a good question but one the probably can't be answered. However, I can tell you a little bit about why I decided to make this blog.

For starters, I love figure skating and have ever since I was eight years old. So it's been a passion of mine for ten years or so. Not too shabby. I didn't find my love through my own experience on the ice (though that did come later), but rather I watched my older sister of seven years glide across the ice. As I watched her spin and dance across the ice I found myself infactuated with the sport. So I did what any little sister does, I asked my mom if I could skate too. And then voila, I was a part of the grace and beauty of figure skating. Okay, maybe it took me a few years to get the "grace and beauty" part, but nonetheless I was a part of the sport I loved.

I was never much of a competitor, petrified when all eyes were on me. But I did compete a few times, medalling once or twice. I did tests but stopped my last year of skating when I just because frustrated with one particular dance. Rather, I enjoyed skating without any pressure from my family or coach to compete to the best I could. But I did motivate myself in a different way. Instead of trying to manage footwork or an opening, I made my spins better, my jumps higher and tried new things almost every day. I was self-improving for my own pride rather than for a medal or a trophy.

I skated three days a week, mostly after school but a few times before school. I was dedicated to becoming better, beating my personal best. I never got far with my jumps, the axel was simply too much of a battle for me. My height (6 ft.) in my final year of skating made axels and doubles virtually impossible for me. So instead of focused on what I could do, I made my spins stronger and learned to hydroblade (but nowhere near the level of Bourne and Kratz).

March 2009 was the last time I found myself on the ice, and each day I miss it. The smell of my leather skates makes me long to be out there again. But finishing high school required my full dedication and I made a choice. It was painful but ultimately the right one. Now in university, my school is still my focus. But this winter when the rinks open up, you'll know where to find me.

So this blog is a way for me to keep that feeling alive, because nothing will ever make me feel the way that skating did. It's a part of my soul, who I am underneath it all. I love it with my whole heart and that will never stop, no matter how long I am away from the ice.

This is who I am, why I skate and the reason for this blog.

I hope you enjoy. :)