Figure skating is the only sport in the world that can make the act of placing your face in someone else’s crotch seem elegant. That was part of one of the many precise, artistic moves on display at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre Tuesday night when Stars On Ice rolled through town, and—for the most part—it worked.
Canadian Olympic duo Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir displayed sassy, devilish takes on intimacy, and didn’t shy away from their quiet side, as well. These are well-rounded skaters and it’s clear why they are regarded as two of the country’s best: they bring the ice to life.
Olympic bronze medalists Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford balanced sheer strength and meditative precision. Radford tossed Duhamel for multiple perfectly landed twirls; he did some himself while holding his partner upside down with extended arms (causing the woman beside me to exclaim, “Holy crap!”). These two continually defied the laws of gravity with sport and creativity.
The sound of blades piercing fresh ice could be heard as Olympic silver medalist Patrick Chan gave us his emotional, heartfelt take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” His body language fit immaculately with the mood of the ballad; he received a standing ovation, and there’s no doubt that he nailed this one.
Fellow silver medalist Elvis Stojko’s solo number to Nickelback’s “Someone that You’re With” felt ill-placed and corny, but Stojko did have a couple of redeeming prance-like leaps that were a nice surprise. He did well considering what the song—which was a strange one to skate to—gave him to work with.
An awkward half-time presentation by World Vision Canada put a bit of damper on the evening, but the skaters came back and finished the night in style, decked out in white while out on the ice. Canada has some of the best skaters in the world, and the night showed that, illustrating the art of sport with pride.