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The competitive fire on display at the 2018 World Championships was fierce. Records tumbled — as did a number of skaters — personal best scores were achieved, and new champions were crowned in three of the four disciplines.
Nathan Chen rebounded from a disappointing 2018 Olympic Winter Games experience to claim the top step of the men’s podium in Milan. Kaetlyn Osmond rewrote Canada’s skating history as the first lady in 45 years to win a global crown. Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot continued their winning streak, claiming the top step of the World pairs podium for the first time. The French ice dance team of Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron were the only ones to repeat as gold medalists, capturing their third World title in a city that holds fond memories for them.
Canadian skating fans have had a golden generation of their own to savour the past eight years, one that produced World champions in all four individual disciplines — and collectively, that group stood on the top of the Team Event podium at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. It has been an era unlike any other in Canadian skating history.
Keegan Messing became the leading man in Canadian figure skating in April, but he had already received an early education about the responsibility that comes with being No. 1.
A year ago Bradie Tennell could not have imagined she would be leading the life she is today. Though she had dreamed of being successful in her skating career, it was not until last season that she finally had a breakthrough.
In theory, my job was pretty straightforward. Accompany the skaters as they walk through a maze of aisles with a wall on one side and a barrier that separates the athletes from the press on the other. In reality, it was a little more complicated.
The World Junior Championships can be likened to a crystal ball of figure skating — sometimes you see the future bright and clear, and sometimes it is not so obvious. Many skaters who shine at the junior level often never find success in the senior ranks.
There have been many heated debates over the past two seasons with respect to the number of quads senior men have been including in their programs. Some feel this is a sign of the sport’s evolution and applaud those pushing it to a higher level.