Rocker Skating: Your One-Stop Shop for the 2016-17 Competitive Season

... is all here!

(Well, not the top ten spots, because that will be revealed some time after this was posted.)

If you're a fan of figure skating and you haven't been to Jackie Wong's Rocker website, you should do so now.  Every program and every competition  is posted and analyzed for your convenience.  To me it feels like SkateWeb for the next millennium.

I don't know about you, but this will be handy as we head into an Olympic year.  I might even know a name or two of the pair and dance teams before Pyeong Chang 2018!

Skaters Reunion in Prague

I had to go deep into the comments of a few Facebook postings to get the date.  I'll keep this one updated as more official notices pop up.

But for now, if you're in the neighborhood, that would be Prague, Czech Republic from September 7-10, 2017, there is a Holiday On Ice reunion for skaters.  Still trying to find the location.  Stay tuned ...

The Legend is Closing

You know by now that Ringling Bros is closing for good, but you may not know you can watch the final show, May 21 - this Sunday - via live stream on Ringling.com.

Here's the link to get you set up.

I saw this show in its last performance in New Jersey and I can tell you one thing I wasn't expecting was sky-high ticket prices.  But I should have known better.  An era is closing.  (And New York ticket prices will be even worse.)   So watching it on-line will be a much better option on the wallet.

And as the ad states ... this is the ...

Last. Show. Ever. 

 Excuse me, Ice Charades, but what does this have to do with skating?  

Actually, the last touring show of Ringling Bros includes a Chinese Acrobatic act on skates, thank you very much.  You can see a little of it in the trailer from the link above.  And a few of the clowns skate as well.  So this isn't an ice show, but it's a show with some skating and that should make any skating fan want to watch it.

Sunday, May 21, 2017, 7 p.m. ET

And don't forget those cute "little" tigers too!

Did you catch the ISU World Team Trophy competition?

This was the first time I knew of such a competition and I had to ask ... what's with all the crazy hats?  Even the judges (or the referees) were wearing them, no?

I can understand in the Kiss-N-Cry, there is a need to let off a little steam, after Worlds.

If you want a great recap - go here to The Judges' Table.  As always, there is in-depth analysis here.  You won't be disappointed.

Spoiler alert:  Japan won.

Behind the Scenes ...

A few of these skating videos have been popping up in my Facebook and Twitter feed.  If you haven't seen this yet, take a look.

I don't know for sure, but I can only imagine this is a GREAT gig to get.  High paying, high visibility. You do one, maybe two numbers a show and you're on stage with the famous Rockettes. How cool is that!

Still So Excited!

Dance Academy The Comeback

They've already had the premiere in Sydney.  The movie comes out in theaters in Australia on April 6, 2017 and I'm dying to know when it will be released on Netflix or better yet, come to the theaters in the States.

I've written about this in two previous posts, but I'll say it again, if you're a fan of figure skating, you will probably love the tv series Dance Academy too.   All three seasons are available on Netflix and now on You Tube.  I suggest you start at the beginning, but you'll still get sucked if you wandered in at Season 2.

My personal theory on why this show is so popular, compared to all other dance movies/tv shows, is the writing is so strong.  It's realistic and the characters are three dimensional.  They are not just all sweet or totally evil, completely talented or robbed of their title - and they are growing up besides.  There are so many parallels to figure skating, either the side competition or performing, that you'll be swept in.  I promise!

This Aint Your Mamma's Synchro Team

... it's your Daddys' instead!

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce the River Bulls, from Finland.  They are the only all-male synchro team and they were founded in 2014.

I love the story of how they came to be ... like the classic song from "A Chorus Line" - "I'm watching sis go pitter pat, said I could that ...."

Let Matti Heinonen, one of the team's member explain:

It all began season 2013-14 when two of us were waiting and watching our daughters' rehearsal.  Suddenly the other one said:"That seems to be so easy, maybe we should try it too?  We know how to move in blocks because we have been in the army."  From this moment the idea started to live in our minds and after some months the first skating courses for men were arranged.

It doesn't sound like they are heading to the 2017 World Synchro Championships in Colorado Springs next month.  But neither am I ... as a spectator.  I would love to see Worlds!  If any of you are near Colorado Springs on April 7 or 8, you should go!!!