Alumni Spotlight: Hawker: Standing Ovations | Around the Rink: A. Paul & M. Islam

“Standing Ovations”

by Lesley Hawker

It’s 2002 and I am a 20-year-old skating in my first national championships ever.  My debut is as a senior and I have been shadowing Jennifer Robinson, in hopes that whatever she does will rub off on me!  I never made nationals at the novice or junior level and as I stepped onto the ice for my short program I breathed in all that amazing energy that comes only at the Canadian championships.  The music, the cameras, the judges and the crowd.  I don’t remember being scared (that feeling only creeps in with years of experience).  I hit my opening pose and the music started, I seemed to float through the two opening jump passes.  I came back to earth when I almost fell on the flying camel but continued to push through and finish with a clean short.  My hands flew to my face as soon as the music ended.  I watched my coach jump up and down and I bent forward crying, laughing and amazed that I had done it.  And then the real surprise, as I went to take my curtesy everyone was on their feet.  A standing ovation.  Standing ovations were always my favourite reward. Continue reading “Alumni Spotlight: Hawker: Standing Ovations | Around the Rink: A. Paul & M. Islam”

E. Putnam Podcast | Alumni Spotlight: L. Sarazin

Elizabeth Putnam

In the second episode, Christopher Mabee chats with pair skater Elizabeth Putnam, a two-time Canadian bronze medalist with partner Sean Wirtz.

Click here to go to PODCAST

Lysanne Sarrazin, 2003 ISU World Synchronized Skating Bronze Medalist

2003 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships: Les Suprêmes, Bronze Medalists

Lysanne Sarrazin, a dedicated Synchronized skater, competed with Les Pirouettes from 1992 to 1997 and with Les Suprêmes from 1997 to ultimately in 2003 when the team won a Bronze medal at the ISU World Synchronized Championships in Canada.  She claims that her fondest skating memory was winning the short program in front of an amazing crowd at the Civic Center in Ottawa, ON.

Continue reading “E. Putnam Podcast | Alumni Spotlight: L. Sarazin”