Ice, Ice and an Ice Princess

9 was the earliest we could rouse ourselves after our third busy day. With no real plans for the morning, we ate in two shifts: earlier risers and late starters. The consensus was head down to BC Pavilion for the mascot skate and see how much time we had left for a little ice time ourselves.

There were soooo many people! The stage area beside the ice was hosting some Haida people performing their dances and song to a packed house of onlookers. The ice area was surrounded 5 people thick to see the mascots. We squeezed into a great little spot at one end of the ice. Jesse was right at the glass while I stood behind him using my (lovely new Canon SX 1 IS)camera to look over the crowd to the skating mascots. Nice little presentation: dancing jelly fish, the whole mascot story and lots of close up opportunities. We loved it. Jesse got to shake hands with Sumi when they did the rounds after the show... a highlight for him.

It was one of my to-do list items to try and rent skates. Well, it happened! Marina, Julianna and I only had to wait a couple minutes to rent our skates and head to the ice. Remember, it is over 10 degrees out today with a full sun shining. This is no Picton or Wellington arena skating! Definitely not Ottawa canal! So, it was lovely. I, especially, had a blast. Rugge, Gabe and Jesse watched street performers, videoed us and watched the bags (with just a wee bit of complaining from a certain 13 year old who would have rather gone back to the hotel to watch tv of all things to do!). ha.

With not much time before the 3:00 pick up, we raced back to the hotel, changed into the red and white, and snacked. First stop was to drop off Gabe and Jesse at the airport, Terminal 2 with Tim Seibert our helicopter flying friend. They were off to the Seiberts for some hang time while we were at figure skating. I heard that they got the tour of the hanger. I'd like to hear about that tomorrow! Thanks Jo and Tim!

Czaba, our driver got us to Pacific Colesium in time for the introduction of the judges. Our seats are not the front row of the short program but we met lots of neat people! Actually, our seats were no-existent due to space created for accessibility so we got to choose from a couple spots. I picked the seats above the Olympic ring entrance across the ice from the same kind of entrance but where the skaters wait to receive the scores. It was a great spot for visibility and star-gazing. We recognized the woman behind us right away but forgot her name... Josee Chouinard! She graciously signed our tickets and posed for a picture with the girls. Just down the row from her sat Guy Fieri from Dives, Drive-Ins and Diners fame. I got a couple pictures with my 20x optical zoom but also met him later in the hall for a close up. We had other broadcasters and rich people sitting with us but everyone sounds the same when they cheer on their favourite skater!

Chan was our hopeful. He had a gorgeous run and deserves his top spot. We loved seeing him in number one right up until that last set of skaters came on! But that last set was truly amazing. So high were their jumps! So expressive compared to the first rounders! So confident. Plushenko and Lysacek were top favourite from the beginning. We were so thrilled to see them finish so close at the top. Now, we live figure skating all winter but... not quite like this. To see it performed so beautifully and with such strength! It amazed me what and how these men could do these moves!

Medals are presented, boys picked up, late night feast before bed and a little blod to end the day. All set for an early start for tomorrow with a city tour, Cin Cin and the last Victory Ceremony. Thursday ends as the day for being on ice, seeing men on ice and meeting an ice princess.

ink