----- Original Message -----
From: "Vashty Hawkins" <vhawkins@...>


> The skating season is finally upon us!!!!!!!!!! (sounds of wild applause
> ... ). What is your prediction for the men? I'm going with
> Yagudin-Eldredge-Sandhu (**if** Emanuel skates both programs well), or
> Yagudin-Eldredge-Liu (if Emanuel doesn't).

Either of those is possible, but watch for Johnny Weir. I saw him at US
Nationals last January and he's a definite up and comer. He could snatch
that bronze medal here.

As for Elvis, I can't see him
> on the podium unless he has made great strides since when I saw him last
> (Josee's farewell show in Toronto). However, he could surprise everybody.

I'm not expecting anything from Elvis this season.

Doreen said:
Word has it that Skate Canada has denied iskater.com (aka Paul Martini) to
webcast the competition. I (and many others) have faxed Skate Canada our
thoughts on that one.

This is what Paul posted:
http://www.fsworld.com/bboard/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=57&t=000026

Paul Martini
FSWorld Member
Member # 12506
posted October 30, 2001 10:43 AM
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Dear Fans:
In response to the outpouring of inquires, iskater regrets to inform you
that the company will not be covering Skate Canada this week. The Skating
Events Trust, the event management arm of Skate Canada that runs the event,
has denied our application for accreditation. We apologize that we will be
unable to bring you the same live reporting we delivered from Skate America
last week.

Since it's inception in 1999, iskater has strived to present the most
current and innovative figure skating coverage available anywhere. iskater
has set the standard with immediate photos and commentary and shown the
world what can be done to bring the sport to you over the internet. It has
always been iskater's goal to bring you the most complete and accurate
coverage possible in a uniquely "live" format.

From the beginning, iskater has recognized the importance of developing a
positive working relationship with every major governing body and television
broadcaster involved in figure skating today. All of these organizations,
except Skate Canada, continue to meet with iskater in an effort to enable
our company to cover events in full compliance with all existing contracts.
The Skating Events Trust denied iskater access on October 5, 2001 with the
following statement:

"We regret to inform you that we will not be accrediting any web site
companies as we will be promoting our own web site, www.skatecanada.ca,
which is now the official Skate Canada Events web site."

iskater has no issue whatsoever with Skate Canada covering the event on
their site. No one would expect anything less. But what iskater expects is
fair treatment, the same access to cover the event as any other media
company. The fact that iskater is a "web site company" is not relevant.
iskater is a media company, whose medium just happens to be the internet.
The company is no different than The New York Times, USA Today, The
Associated Press or the Toronto Star. We all publish words and pictures. Our
content appears on the internet, as does theirs.

I would personally like to thank you, the thousands of fans from around the
world who have supported iskater. Your support has allowed the company and
the site to become what it is today. iskater will do everything possible to
continue to bring you the same quality skating coverage that we take pride
in providing.

Sincerely,

Paul Martini
President, iskater Inc.
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From: Toronto


Last but not least, SC announced yesterday that next year's Skate Canada
competition will be held in Quebec City. I'm blocking out that week and
making plans to attend.

Hazel