Olympic ice dancer Paul Poirier took some time during the 2010 Skate Canada High Performance Camp to write a few thoughts from the camp.
Wednesday September 8, 2010 – 7:47 p.m.
After battling Toronto traffic, we finally arrive to the Delta Airport West Hotel. I get to greet a lot of friends that I haven’t seen in months. Hugs all around!
Wednesday September 8, 2010 – 9:30 p.m.
Dinner was great and now it’s time for bed. There will be a lot skating in the next 2 days.
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 8:13 a.m.
Heading down to breakfast, I just saw a few of the skaters in the hotel restaurant eating away. I quickly informed them that there’s a free Skate Canada breakfast in a room down the hall, pointing to the sign in the lobby. They all had to pay, but they did get 2 breakfasts.
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 10:02 a.m.
Just left for the Hershey Centre. Busy day ahead.
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 12: 52 p.m.
Had a great first practice! It’s so nice to be back into competition mode. The season feels like it’s finally starting. The lunch looks delicious, and I’m very excited to cheer on the men as they do their short programs.
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 4:08 p.m.
The short dance “event” went really well and everyone got some useful feedback from the judges. Great first day!
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 6:03 p.m.
The day isn’t over yet. It’s time to run around the hotel for photo shoots, CBC and Skatebuzz interviews, Artistry makeovers, and (most importantly) dinner. We somehow manage to ignore the tantalizing display of food as we perform our other duties.
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 6:37 p.m.
We are reminded for the seventeenth time that we must be quiet because they are filming. Oops!
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 7:41 p.m.
I finally gave in. Everyone is raving about the food; I believe the cheesecake disappeared in a few short minutes.
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 8:22 p.m.
Not to anyone’s surprise, we’re running late, and most of us are impatiently waiting for the last few skaters to finish so we can take the team photo. We pass the time by playing music and being serenaded by Jeremy (Ten) and Kirsten (Moore-Towers). I also caught Tessa (Virtue) doing a stellar moonwalk.
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 8:43 p.m.
The wait never ends. Some of the skaters have now broken into Artistry’s stash of bubble wrap. Meanwhile, others take part in an “insurance broker” photo. I’ve already claimed one of the signature purple blankets.
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 9:50 p.m.
After the team photo shoot and meeting, I’m pooped. I need to get my beauty rest for tomorrow.
Friday September 10, 2010 – 7:45 a.m.
Off to breakfast again. I hope everyone remembers where it is this time.
Friday September 10, 2010 – 8:51 a.m.
I struggle to bring all my bags down to the storage room in the lobby. Time for a quick checkout and I’m off to the rink!
Friday September 10, 2010 – 11:46 a.m.
Another great practice! We’ve now just finished lunch; a few of the skaters and judges are trying to figure out just what makes the rink’s cookies so good.
Friday September 10, 2010 – 12:35 p.m.
Enjoying the pairs’ long programs. Everyone looks great!
Friday September 10, 2010 – 4:05 p.m.
Another super-productive feedback session after a great skate. Now, we all grudgingly continue to eat as the staff try to get rid of the leftover food. Or perhaps eating is our way to stall saying goodbye.
Friday September 10, 2010 – 5:28 p.m.
It’s a long wait for a ride home (again, we blame Toronto traffic). I’ve said way too many goodbyes and given too many hugs. Kharis (Ralph) (with whom I’m carpooling) and I sit patiently in the hotel lobby.
Friday September 10, 2010 – 6:03 p.m.
It’s finally time to hit the road. I’m off to university for the last few days of frosh week. Thanks to everyone who made the camp a success. We all had a blast!