On The Edge Of A Dream

Imagine being one good sleep away from achieving one of your life's biggest dreams, being so close that you can almost touch it.
Say hello, then, to Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier, who have only one free dance standing between them and a first trip to the world figure skating championships. This is giddy stuff for an 18-year-old (Crone) and her 17-year-old partner, to be sure. Not that they're planning on losing any sleep tonight on the eve of the free dance final at the 2009 BMO Canadian figure skating championships.
"It’s very exciting," said Crone, of Aurora, Ont. "It’s what we hoped for. This is what we tried to do all year. For us to just know that what we practised all year and what we’ve done all year has paid off ... We just hope we can continue with that much success."
In Friday's original dance, Crone and Poirier clearly separated themselves from the pack chasing Canada's second available berth for the 2009 worlds in Los Angeles. With 91.18 points through two phases of the competition, they own a comfortable 6.37-point edge over third-place Kaitlyn Weaver of Houston, Tex., and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont.
While their ticket to L.A. is all but punched, Crone and Poirier don't see it that way just yet. Then again, this is a young couple who missed a trip to worlds by less than a point a year ago.
"We definitely are not going to take anything for granted at this point," said Poirier, of Unionville, Ont. "It’s especially important that we keep our focus for the free dance tomorrow. It’s a nice lead to have but we know we need to have another solid performance tomorrow if we want to clinch that world spot."
It's quite the show of poise, given their tender age and just how close Crone and Poirier are to hitting the big show. Even reigning world silver medallists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir — who have a hammerlock on the gold here with 103.09 points so far — can't help but be impressed. Especially when they know full well the range of emotions that are bouncing around inside Crone and Poirier right now.
"It’s really exciting and it’s hard to sort of stay in your skin and stay calm on the ice," said Virtue, 19, of London, Ont. "I think that’s something we had to learn, when you get so excited and you almost try too hard that you throw things off. I’m just amazed at how they’re handling the pressure and they’re really rising to the occasion. It’s great skating with them out there. We’re learning from them, too, and we just want to help them."
Funny thought though, isn't it? Virtue and Moir, 21, of Ilderton, Ont. — who are still relative youngsters on the global ice dance scene — mentoring the new kids on the block, so to speak.
"It’s hard to feel old at 21 and 19," said Moir with a wry grin. "Being in Saskatoon the second time around (they were seventh as juniors in 2003) and seeing a new cycle coming around, it’s kind of making us feel a little bit older. But we’re still really far from being old.
"It’s so encouraging to see such good young talent in ice dance, especially in our own country. It definitely is exciting."