New Kids On The Block

Everyone knew the odds were stacked in favour of it.
Now, after a dramatic men's free skate final at the 2009 BMO Canadian figure skating championships, we can make it official. Say hello to the two newest members of Canada's world team: Calgary's Vaughn Chipeur and Jeremy Ten of Vancouver.
While most of the folks who came out to Saskatoon's Credit Union Centre tonight no doubt had eyes for Patrick Chan — who made it look easy in successfully defending his national title — there was another more intriguing subplot playing out. Namely, who would fill out the final two spots available for Canadian men at the 2009 worlds in Los Angeles.
There wasn't a lot to choose among about six contenders during Friday night's short program. And it was a blanket finish among four of them (Joey Russell of Labrador City, NL, and Elladj Balde of Pierrefonds, Que., couldn't keep up with the pack) at the end.
First it was former world teamer Shawn Sawyer of Edmundston, N.B., moving to the top of the leaderboard by posting a 201.24-point overall total. But the 19-year-old Ten, a former Canadian junior champ, pushed Sawyer down a notch with a sublime effort that included seven clean triple jumps. His overall score: 204.03.
The look of joy and disbelief on the face of the young man whose motto is 'Ten For 2010' (as in the Vancouver Olympics) was utterly priceless.
Then it was the turn of Kevin Reynolds, the gangly jumping bean from Coquitlam, B.C., who ripped up the only two quadruple jumps of the event. But Reynolds tired near the end of his program and managed a 201.97-point total, assuring Ten of a ticket to L.A.
"It has not sunk in yet," a shocked Ten said afterward. "It feels like when I won my national junior title. It’s going to take a while for it to sink in."
Chipeur had the last word in this six-act drama. He wasn't flawless but he was plenty good, especially with an opening triple Axel and followup combination. When the final numbers were posted — 206.30 overall and a second-place finish — Chipeur pumped his fists in celebration. California, here he comes.
"I thought it was a really good fight," said Chipeur, 24. "I made two little mistakes ... It was a good fight for the rest of the program and I’m really satisfied.
"I just wanted to enjoy the ride and enjoy the occasion. And enjoy the fact that the hard work has paid off."
Ten felt for Reynolds, his training mate in Burnaby, B.C. They'd hoped to jet off to the worlds together, but it wasn't to be.
"I was sitting in the kiss ‘n cry cheering him on," said Ten, who shared an emotional hug with Reynolds after it was over. "He’s my teammate. I just wanted him to skate well and he skated brilliantly. Really, it was up to the judges at that point. It was really out of my hands. I would have been happy either way."