Greetings from Tokyo!

Hey There,

Just thought I'd take a quick moment before bed to let everyone know how things are going in Tokyo. Most of the team left on Friday following an inspirational send-off at the airport. It was well attended by both media and Canadian World Team alumni (including Josee Chouinard and Brian Orser). The team also received a great track suit to sport at the championships compliments of BMO. Very nice touch!:-)

Since arriving in Japan the team has been busy rocking the practices, and getting out to see the unlimited sights of Tokyo. It's so great to just grab a subway pass and see the city like a local. I've managed to get to the electronics district also known as Akihabara and check out some technologies that we're not likely to see for some time in Canada...and also purchase a video game or two.

On to business though...

Practices have been going really well and I certainly love the rush of competition and being alongside some tremendous athletes. The team was at the rink this evening to support our Canadian pair skaters as they skated clean performances one right after the next. The "luck of the draw" happened to place all 3 teams together on a warm-up of 3, so it quite literally felt like a domestic event. And what an event at that... they should all be extremely proud because they knocked off those tech. elements like they were nothing! Honourable mention to Jess for a slight trip going into the side by side jumps and recovering mentally to do the triple sal like nothing had happened.

Also, the dancers were doing the Rhumba today and 4 of the 6 are new faces to the world championships. Tessa and Scott, Kaitlyn and Andrew may be new to the world championships, but they're skating and presenting themsleves like veterans. It's great to see we've got two very strong teams following in the footsteps of the other two. The other two, by the way (Marie and Patch) are sitting strongly in FIRST, and I can think of a more appropriate spot for them!

Well that's about it. I begin competing tomorrow, and my all too short season concludes on Thursday with the freeskate so I'll check back in and give you guys the behind the scenes scoop when it's all been said and done.

Cheers,

Jeff.

Good luck!

Best wishes to the team in Tokyo!
Gwen

Getting Started

Hi everyone - some of the team are on their way to Tokyo on March 16th and will be joined by the others over the following few days. Watch this space for news and views of the team as they compete at the 2007 ISU World FIgure Skating Championships.