Tag Archive for: Jackie Wong

Who to Watch Out For at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships

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Written by Jackie Wong of Rocker Skating

The main event is about to start. The 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships will take place this week in Montreal. If you’re looking for a quick download of the skaters to watch out for, you’re in the right place. If you’re looking for a quick download of everything else, check out my post on what I’m looking forward to in Montreal. Get ready for a lot of skating in the next few days. 

Pairs 

The pairs kick things off on Wednesday with their short programs. This season is shaping up to be like last season—we started wondering about the state of pair skating and we may end up being impressed about how they have pushed each other to improve the whole way. Among the storylines here will be Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Maxime Deschamps trying to win a World title at home, the continued return of reigning World champs Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara from injury, and the meteoric rise of two new pairs this season in Anastasia Metelkina/Luka Berulava and Minerva Hase/Nikita Volodin. 

Women 

The story of this season for the women has been one of good depth but major inconsistency. In Montreal this week, Kaori Sakamoto tries for a third consecutive World title, something that hasn’t been accomplished in 56 years. And Loena Hendrickx attempts to become the first Belgian singles skater ever to win Worlds. But perhaps more intriguingly, there are at least nine skaters who realistically have a chance to stand on the podium, and it will be hard to predict. 

Men 

Coming into Montreal, four men have separated themselves from the rest of the field this season. One has a quad axel (Ilia Malinin), one is accelerating in his comeback season (Yuma Kagiyama), one is hoping to become the first French man to win Worlds since 2007 (Adam Siao Him Fa), and the fourth is the two-time reigning champion (Shoma Uno). Barring some colossal surprise, the podium should consist of some permutation of these four skaters. But as it’s been for a number of years, the men’s event could be the field that combines depth with choreographic diversity the most. 

Dance 

Another spot for the Canadians to shine—Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier have been bronze medalists twice at Worlds; could they strike gold at home? The entire podium from last year’s Worlds is back and all three dance teams are favoured again to be back on the podium this year. If that happens, it will be the second year in a row and the second year ever that the dance podium will be occupied by skaters who are all over 30. Madison Chock/Evan Bates are the reigning champs, with Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri defending their silver but hoping for more. 

 

Insider Insights and Must-Dos Ahead of the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal

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With less than two weeks to go before the start of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, we asked Rocker Skating what he was most excited about. Here’s what he had to say. 

Four years ago, we were all ready for Montreal to welcome the figure skating world with open arms—a very warm welcome, of course, to what many warned me could be a very cold city in March. And, as we all know now, it was this time four years ago when we were just getting notice that things might not be going as they had been planned.  

 So fast forward to 2024 (and I’ve been tracking the weather in Montreal, and it’s looking to be pretty nice) and it’s finally happening! The 2024 World Figure Skating Championships will be held in Montreal for the first time since 1932. And just as it was supposed to have been four years ago, it is the midway Worlds—the World Championships that is smack in the middle of the Olympic quadrennial.  

 It is consequential. 

 But before we get to the skating, one thing I always look forward to every Worlds is exploring the host city. I’ve been to Montreal before—and loved it. But this time around, I’ve been asking around even more. Because between my hours, and hours, and hours in the rink watching practice sessions, I’m going to try to take advantage of as much as I can in this historic city. In fact, there’s even a Facebook page solely dedicated to all the MTL things to do! 

Food? Yes. 

Now, if you follow me on social media, you may think all I eat are chicken tenders (you’re not wrong most of the time), but the food scene in Montreal is amazing. Like any great food city, there’s a mix of great food in formal restaurants, cheap eats, and everything in between. A couple of locals have also told me about the very Eastern Canada experience of the sugar shack. Look it up, and mmmm maple syrup. 

Coffee? Absolutely. 

A good flat white is what I need (multiple times a day) to sustain my nonstop coverage, and I already know this well because the last time I was in Montreal, I scoped out the good spots. You are sure to find me at MELK Café Stanley just a quick walk from the Bell Centre, or if I have a longer break, Bar Caffettiera just a couple blocks to the northwest. 

In and around the Bell Centre 

There will also be plenty to do in the downtown area near the venue. There are a few great museums within a 10-15 minute walk, including the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal—that’s the quintessential art museum experience. And for those who love Aljona Savchenko or Valentina Marchei’s renditions of Barbie Girl, well, there’s a Barbie Expo with over 1,000 Barbie dolls on display. The Bell Centre will also be home to a full-fledged fan festival—food trucks, expo booths of all sorts, and lots more. You can even watch the competition there while you’re enjoying the fan festival. 

Skating legends abound 

If you caught my Instagram Live with three-time World champion Patrick Chan a couple weeks ago, you will know that he and Joannie Rochette are going to be the Event Ambassadors at Worlds. Chances that you’ll catch them at Bell Centre? High! Get your sharpies ready for those autographs. And I’ve heard through the grapevine that Elvis Stojko, Keegan Messing, and Elladj Baldé will also be there. Legends everywhere. 

And if that’s not enough, the Exhibition Gala on Sunday will have live musical performances, in addition to performances by Baldé, Chan, Messing, Stokjo, and Les Suprêmes. With that kind of lineup, I might even stay for the Exhibition Gala for once! 

 All this and I haven’t even gotten to the skating competition yet for Worlds. Hope you all are as excited as I am!