Ice Dancing, anyone?

Today, I had the opportunity to go to an ice dancing practise, care of Neil and Lorna. (Thanks you two, again and again!) Granted it was only a combined practise, but still, they were in full costume (it was a full dress rehearsal, K) and most of the athletes we saw in our session performed most of their original programs, with the exception of the more difficult lifts. I was really exited mostly because I do really like watching the ice dancing over the figure skating, but also because it was an actual Olympic "event". If you've been following along, it's been mostly about the party for me, so this was über cool.

Before you see the photos - in fact, this post will mostly be photos - I just wanted to comment on the whole security thing. On the news a few days ago and today, you probably heard about security breaches, but I just have to say, that I've been pretty impressed by the security measures. I know I was only at a practise, but still, the set up is unreal and those people are super professional and in good moods - can you imagine having to be that way when the queues are crazy??? Alison seems to have it down pat:



Okay now, here we go... in a combined practise, three to four pairs take the ice for 40 minutes at a time (had we arrived earlier, we probably would have seen the men's combined practise where we might have seen Plushenko or Takahashi or Patrick Chan) - they get a practise skate and then five variations of the tango play so the pairs can practise the compulsory elements, then each pair gets to skate their original program with their music... all the while, the other pairs are skating segments of their programs. The pairs get feedback from their coaches, etc. We got to see three rounds, which included Germany, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Hungary, France (the pink underpants which are echoed quite nicely in the scarf of her partner), Estonia (who will skate to Metallica - I know, right?), Israel, China, Italy, and Canada! (Lorna, did I miss anyone?)










So cool, eh?

When we got back to Stadium Station, the street performers were out already and so were the crowds getting to GM Place early in order to get through security for the 1630 start to the hockey game. The girls and I were at the IGA when we caught the Flower Ceremony, where Nesbit was being honoured with a first place finish in the women's 1000m Short Track.