Battle of the Blades returning but will now start on Oct. 22nd, 2020

[Elizabeth]

In case you missed it live, the final episode is on CBC Gem: https://gem.cbc.ca/media/battle-of-the- ... 136b1863f3

Congratulations to the winners!!

[Elizabeth]

The final four couples






And the winners!

[fred]

It was an interesting final. It didn't go the way I thought it would go, but it went the way that I hoped it would go, but there were other ways I could have accepted it, and been happy. It was nice to see skaters on TV, (Gem is a nice facility), again and I just wish they'd loose the artificial hype and recover a little dignity for the sport. I think this was the first year that I was wondering which was the hockey player and which was the figure skater in the couples.

A good follow for this would be to pit mixed teams against each other in hockey, and see how the figure skaters adjust.

[Elizabeth]

I think this was the first year that I was wondering which was the hockey player and which was the figure skater in the couples.

A good follow for this would be to pit mixed teams against each other in hockey, and see how the figure skaters adjust.

I think the level of the skating this year was exceptional - even in the first episode they were well ahead of other years.

A couple of friends who don't follow skating that closely said the same thing about not realizing which was which in the couples this year.

Several of the skaters are known to have some hockey ability so that might not be as challenging as moving from hockey skates to toepicks. The first time I saw Kurt live he had come to Canadians in Ottawa as a substitute and he had to give up a hockey tournament to do it.

[happyheini]

It was an interesting final. It didn't go the way I thought it would go, but it went the way that I hoped it would go, but there were other ways I could have accepted it, and been happy. It was nice to see skaters on TV, (Gem is a nice facility), again and I just wish they'd loose the artificial hype and recover a little dignity for the sport. I think this was the first year that I was wondering which was the hockey player and which was the figure skater in the couples.

A good follow for this would be to pit mixed teams against each other in hockey, and see how the figure skaters adjust.

Just my thoughts Fred. The skating was amazing, the hype was very distracting and took away from the performances. I am still upset that the coaches and choreographers were never acknowledged and introduced. A great part of the awesome skates were due to their work.

[fred]

Yes. I do want to say, that I wasn't totally fooled as to which were which, but I saw hockey players doing figure skating moves with confidence and flare. When I stopped & asked myself who they were, I could guess it.
The level was very high. Maybe the delay for Covid-19 gave them time to practise, but it started with the first night.
Before the event I was hoping for Violetta, but it was not to be. So I'm glad the way it turned out. Can we start with spoilers now? I think everyone has seen the final. What do people think?

[Elizabeth]

I was very pleased with the result - Meagan and her partner had a very good connection; worked hard; and "upped the ante" with that triple salchow.

When it came down to a pair and a dance couple in the final and it being a decision by the judges, I thought the pair would/should win. Prior to that point, there was a bias introduced through the voting - that can make it more of a popularity contest, rather than based on the quality of the actual skating performances.

I thought the level of the competition was higher than in the past, even from the first week. I thought I read that they had to shut everything down based on the + COVID test of someone on the production team. I think that means that they really didn't get an extra week of practice.

For those who were wondering, these names were captured from a couple of "freeze screen images" from the "end credits" - the Coaches & Artistic Team (aka choreographers):

• Pete Dack
• Dylan Moscovitch
• Cody Hay
• Katia Gordeeva
• Chris Nolan
• Eric Radford
• Katherine Hill
• Tamas Sari
• Ben Agosto
• Mark Pillay
• Julie Marcotte
• Renee Roca
• David Wilson
• Andrew Poje
• Yuka Sato

Paul Martini was listed as a Producer but I saw him in some of the on-ice practice footage and Meagan referred to Paul as their coach and Mark Pillay as their choreographer in a "thank you" video..

And here, for your pleasure, is a Christmas photo posted after the competition by Meagan.

[happyheini]

Thank you Elizabeth. I am impressed with the list of Coaches and artistic Team, it reads like a who is who of the skating world.
I too thought that a dance team would be a bit disadvantaged and the audience voting threw a huge curveball along the way.
All in all a very enjoyable diversion from our troubles, looking forward to the next season.
Meghan and her daughter put a smile on my face.

[kittykins]

That's a very cute picture!

[Elizabeth]

Meagan & Wojtek were interviewed on CBC Morning News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLwuTkE ... e=youtu.be

[fred]

That's a great interview. Two wonderful skaters and stories of strength and dedication... and heart. Lovely to see that.

[Elizabeth]

That's a great interview. Two wonderful skaters and stories of strength and dedication... and heart. Lovely to see that.

Glad you enjoyed it, Fred.