Kevin Martin leads Canada past Sweden in curling semis

By Michael Friscolanti - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 11:36 PM - 1 Comment

Kevin Martin has waited eight long years for a chance at Olympic redemption. Another 48 hours isn’t going to kill him.

With a convincing 6-2 semi-final win against the Swedes this afternoon, the Canadian skip earned his team a spot in Saturday’s gold-medal match—a match he famously failed to win during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Martin was forced to settle for silver back then, and although he doesn’t exactly like to dwell on those memories, he is certainly anxious for a second crack. “It definitely won’t be the end of the world if we don’t win, but I seriously want to get up that podium one more step,” he said. “It’s a lot of work to get back here, and you don’t get that many chances in a lifetime.”

In order to taste redemption, the Canadians will have to beat the Norwegian squad, which ousted Switzerland 7-5 in the other semi-final match. Led by skip Thomas Ulsrud—and dressed in the most hideous of checkered pants—Team Norway is the only crew that has come close to defeating the Martin rink, losing by a slim 7-6 margin on opening day. “It will be a real tight battle,” Martin said. “All you can do is play well. That is the key to this whole thing: make sure we get a lot of rest, have a real important practice session tomorrow, and then come out and leave nothing on the table.”

Ironically enough, it was a team from Norway that denied Martin the gold eight years ago. But in typical Martin fashion, he doesn’t buy into that kind of hype. “That doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “It’s different guys.”

For a while this afternoon, it seemed as though the Swedes might spoil Martin’s storybook ending before it had a chance to begin. Both teams traded single points in the early ends, mixed in with some nifty saves by Swedish skip Niklas Edin. But in the fifth, Edin made a disastrous error, botching a take-out attempt that allowed Canada to steal two points. When Martin stole another two in the next end, his team was suddenly up 6-1 and cruising to victory—much to the cowbell-ringing delight of the 5,000 fans stuffed into the bleachers. “This was our goal,” said John Morris, the Canadian third. “This is why we play the game.”

Although Martin’s reclamation project makes for great headlines, it only applies to him. His teammates from Salt Lake City are not his teammates today. But the current ones certainly understand how important Saturday’s game is for Martin—and for them. “I don’t think he has to say what it would mean to him to win,” said second Marc Kennedy. “But he has taught us a lot about playing in big games. We’ve played in two Brier finals and World finals and Olympic trial finals, so we know what it’s all about. Whether it’s a Brier title on the line or an Olympic title on the line, you’re going to feel the same feelings. We’ve got big-game experience, so hopefully we can pull it through.”

Canada takes silver in short-track speed skating

By macleans.ca - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 10:39 PM - 0 Comments

Canada beats U.S. for third straight hockey gold

By macleans.ca - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 10:30 PM - 0 Comments

Clara Hughes caps career with bronze medal

By macleans.ca - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 10:25 PM - 0 Comments

Gold in women's hockey sets new record

By macleans.ca - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 10:02 PM - 0 Comments

The Canadian women’s hockey team didn’t just win gold when they beat their U.S. counterparts in Thursday’s tournament final; they also set a new Canadian record for first-place finishes at the Winter Games. The gold medal in women’s hockey was Canada’s eighth at the Vancouver Games, beating the previous record of seven set in 2002 (and matched in 2006). Norway (2002) and the Soviet Union (1976) share the record for the most gold medals at a single Olympics with 13.

Canadian Olympic Committee

What I learned at the ladies’ free skate

By Scott Feschuk - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 9:45 PM - 2 Comments

I am at the big Olympic final of ladies’ figure skating, because when push comes to shove you definitely want to turn to the guy whose expertise in the sport consists in its entirety of having seen Blades of Glory on an airplane.

But I learned something at the ladies’ free skate, apart from the fact the women in my life don’t wear near enough sequins or eyeliner: I learned that at figure skating competitions in the Olympics, you can for $20 buy a small radio and earpiece that enables you to hear real-life “figure skating experts” analyze each program as it is taking place. No more having to nudge mean European journalists to inquire, “Is that a triple lutz?” – which is especially awkward when the answer is, “No, it’s a single Zamboni.”

As a veteran of precisely zero figure skating competitions – not counting the ones in my dreams where Johnny Weir and I skate a doubles program against Optimus Prime and a Siberian tiger (we lose, but it’s tough to beat that kind of chemistry) – I thought, hey, earpiece, good idea. And it was! You could even email questions to Continue…

Family members excepted

By macleans.ca - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 9:43 PM - 0 Comments

Family members who choose to actively assist in the deaths of their terminally-ill loved ones will run the risk of being prosecuted under  British law. The announcement came from Keir Starmer QC, England’s top prosecutor, following the publication of new guidelines clarifying the rules on assisted suicide. The most notable differences are that the condition of the victim and the suspect’s status as a family member will no longer be considered mitigating factors against prosecution, though the guidelines still leave room to avoid indictment. Starmer’s decision follows a consultation with nearly 5000 Britons, which he called “the “most extensive snapshot of public opinion on assisted suicide since the 1961 Suicide Act was passed.”

The Guardian

Parents fail to recognize autism in its early stages

By macleans.ca - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 9:21 PM - 0 Comments

Parents with autistic children generally describe the descent into the disorder as sudden and dramatic. But according to new research, the social disengagement of autism begins from the sixth-month mark. The findings of the study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, run counter to the observations of parents, most of whom report the first signs of autism in the second year of life. The California researchers behind the study observed the development of 50 babies, half of which went on to develop autism. In those who developed autism, the California researchers found that the telltale signs of social disengagement evaded 83 per cent parents in the first year they were happening.

Hamilton Spectator

Golden night for Canadian women

By Nancy Macdonald - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 9:15 PM - 0 Comments

Whew—the kids came out to play tonight. We just saw the torch handed from well-known veterans (some of whom are expected to retire after the Olympics) to the youngsters on the Canadian squad.

As expected, 23-year-old goalie, Shannon Szabados got the nod to backstop tonight; head coach Mel Davidson chose her youngest goalie ahead of long-time veterans Kim St-Pierre and Charline Labonte. Both of Canada’s goals came from 18-year-old phenom, Marie-Philip Poulin; the assist on Poulin’s second goal came from 23-year-old Meghan Agosta, who some analysts have begun calling the new face of the women’s game.

All three were named to the tournament all-star team. Szabados was also named the tournament’s top goaltender. Agosta was named tournament MVP. No other Canadians were named to the squad.

More to come

Andrew Koenig found dead

By macleans.ca - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 8:16 PM - 0 Comments

Andrew Koenig, the Growing Pains actor who was missing in Vancouver for the past two weeks, has been found dead at the age of 41. Police confirmed that a body was discovered in Vancouver’s Stanley Park that was “believed to be that of Andrew Koenig.” The actor, son of Star Trek‘s Walter Koenig, played Kirk Cameron’s best buddy “Boner” Stabone for the first four seasons of Growing Pains, before leaving the show. (His character was written off the show in an episode where he joined the Marines.) His father said his son stopped taking his anti-depressants last year and was “probably in a very depressed state.” “My son took his own life,” Walter Koening confirmed tearfully at a press conference shortly after the body was found. He had cleaned out his Los Angeles apartment before going to Vancouver, and was reported missing after he missed a flight that was scheduled to take him back to Los Angeles.

L.A. Times

Associated Press

LIVE BLOG: Ladies' free skate

By Cathy Gulli - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 7:45 PM - 13 Comments

7:45pm
The final round of ladies figure skating will start in 15 minutes. It’s airing on TSN. At the risk of sounding repetitive (see Tuesday’s skate live blog), forget hockey. This is where the drama will unfold.

7:55pm
To set things up: Yu-Na Kim of South Korea, who is coached by living legend Brian Orser, is in first with a world record-breaking score.

Arch rival Mao Asada is in second—she landed a triple axel on Tuesday, the second woman ever to do so at the Olympics (first was countrywoman Midori Ito in 1992).

Also from Japan, Miki Ando is holding forth, another serious contender for a medal tonight.

And in third is Joannie Rochette, who stole the show on Tuesday with an emotional, stunning display of grace and power after her mother died of a heart attack on Sunday.

There are 24 skaters taking the ice tonight. These heavy weights are in the last flight.

8:02pm
First glimpse of Kim and Rochette. Both wearing blue costumes.

8:05pm
Canadian skater Cynthia Phaneuf is competing as well, in the 7th spot.

8:06pm
Black just spilled beans: apparently RBC provided tickets for the parents of Turkey’s Karademir to attend the Olympics. They weren’t able to get them online…

8:07pm
Speaking of Karademir, she’s up. In a black and blue dress. Missed the double toe loop in her combination jump, and then fell.

8:09pm
Singled the next jump, then doubled what should have been a triple. Mama and papa will still love her.

8:11pm
This is a loooong four minutes.

8:12pm
Pops is smiling, and Mom is waving the Turkish flag.

8:14pm
Karademir is sitting lady-like, legs crossed, while awaiting score. Shaking her head. Total score (TS): 129.54.

8:15pm
Spain’s Sonia Lafuente is on. Wearing all white. Big fall on her first jump. Should have been a triple flip.

8:16pm
Recovers with a triple loop. Fancy footwork follows.

8:18pm
That’s never been done before in skating. She just “wiped the dust off” her hip. Like Jay-Z does with his shoulder.

8:20pm
Triple toe in the second half of the program, rather than at the start, means more points. They value effort at the Olympics.

8:21pm
Blows kisses with a purple skate guard in hand. Pulls coaches sitting on either side of her in for hugs. Score: 83.77 (missed the total score). No love from the judges.

8:22pm
China’s Yan Liu is on. Wearing red. Why red? Why not? Her music is “Why are the flowers so red?” Why not?

8:24pm
Solid triple toe loop.

8:25pm
Triple salchow-double toe, nice. Black: “She is landing everything here!” You’d hope. Don’t jinx.

8:26pm
Jinxed: singled a triple!

8:27pm
Commentators say she is too “business like” between the jumps. Smiles to finish.

8:30pm
Double wave from Liu. Her coach has one hand on her back. TS: 143.47.

8:31pm
Estonia’s Elena Glebova is on wearing red, pink and black. Won’t see as many triples from her, we’re hearing. Way to set expectations nice and low, commentators.

8:32pm
They really rub it in too: “Well executed double axel.”

8:33pm
Planning a triple triple mid-way through, which is rare, they say. Why? No clue. But she does it! “Beautifully!” commentators concede. Take that.

8:34pm
Glebova gets too hot to handle: Fall on the triple salchow.

8:35pm
Skates off with hands on hips.

8:38pm
Blowing kisses, double waves. You’d think choreographers would come up with creative moves for this awkward time waiting for scores. TS: 134.19, for second. Liu is still in first.

8:39pm
Uzbetkistan’s Anastasia Gimazetdinova is on. In purple. She’s the oldest skater tonight: 29. On Tuesday she was referred to as a “grande dame.”

8:40pm
Landing jumps with flare. Despite her “age” she is finally able to express music well, we hear. Like a fine wine, better with time!

8:42pm
Nearly slips on a landing. Saves it. Fighter. But oh! Falls on the circular sequence. Silver lining? No chance of brittle bones at 29.

8:45pm
Smiling, waiting and blowing kisses alternately. Pecks coach on the cheek. Biting lower lip. TS: 131.65. Rolls eyes, shrugs. In fourth.

8:46pm
Coach pats Germany’s Sarah Hecken on the hand before she skates off to start her routine.

8:47pm
Wearing dress with splatters of blue, like it’s been hit with paint balls. Sticks her triple toe-triple toe.

8:49pm
Her face doesn’t display “the nuances of the music” as well as the next skater. Oh the comparisons! Can’t she have her own moment here?

8:50pm
Big smiles, landing jumps. There’s that facial expression!

8:51pm
Music just turned orchestra-techno. Like symphonic with a pop beat. And Hecken ends with a fist pump!

8:53pm
Phaneuf is next. Doing squats to warm up. Wearing a green dress with LOTS of BIG amber jewels on it.

8:54pm
Hecken’s TS: 143.94 for first place! She’s delighted, smiling, shrugging. Commentators impose own take on what she must be thinking: ”To say one time—one time—I was the leader at the Olympics.” Read: This won’t last long.

9:00pm
An aside: Just learned that the Canadian women’s hockey team took gold! A good omen for the Canadian figure skaters. Now, with that distraction out of the way, here is Phaneuf.

9:02pm
She is gorgeous. Her music has some Cleopatra theme. Explains the centre-parted hair.

9:03pm
Nails her triple toe-double axel. But falls on her next jump! Lands the others.

9:04pm
Commentators say she made a mistake. Can’t specify what. Then singles an axel.

9:05pm
Choreography is being called a “masterpiece.” Dramatic, anyway. So were those solid jumps.

9:06pm
Finishes. Looks to the ceiling.

9:07pm
Hugs her coach as she skates off. Doesn’t look happy. Seems to reject someone offering a teddy bear. Not a fair substitute for a medal?

9:08pm
She too is sitting with legs crossed awaiting the score. Her coach lifts up Phaneuf’s chin with one finger. Chin up! Phaneuf sticks out her tongue and smiles. TS: 156.62, for first! For now.

9:10pm
Finland’s Kiira Korpi is on, landing high, powerful jumps.

9:11pm
Her dress: blue sequins bodice, black skirt, red capped sleeves.

9:12pm
She is the most sought-after endorsement athlete in Finland. That’s because she’s so pretty, we’re hearing. Seems believable.

9:14pm
Finn finishes with a grin!

9:16pm
Korpi’s TS: 161.57, to steal first from Phaneuf.

9:17pm
Aussie Cheltzie Lee, a former gymnast, has only been skating for six years, and Black says that’s “ridiculous.” Wearing purple and black.

9:18pm
Huge jumps go off without a hitch. But she’s only doing two types of triple jumps. Later we’ll see four or five types, apparently. But how many of us could tell the difference?

9:21pm
She falls. And doesn’t scramble to get up. Slides and pauses there, legs outstretched in front of her on the ice. Only had 40 seconds left to go. That must hurt.

9:23pm
She’s saying hi to Gabby, Brian…? Smiling, rubbing her thighs. Winces at her score: 138.16. Gets a hug from coach.

9:25pm
Switzerland’s Sarah Meier making sure her laces are tight before taking the ice. Wearing all white. Her routine is a version of Romeo & Juliet.

9:26pm
Lands triple lutz-double toe. But doubles what should have been a triple flip. And then does that again.

9:28pm
Commentators called her “underachieved” and “slow.” But she’s smiling, which is more than others have done so far.

9:30pm
She can spin!

9:32pm
Her coaches are with her, rubbing her arm and back. They’re smiling, but she’s not. Seems to be angry. Rolling her eyes. TS: 152.81, for third. Expressionless.

9:33pm
Hungarian Julia Sebestyen is on, wearing vibrant royal blue dress. Slips on the landing of her first jump.

9:35pm
Recovers with a high triple flip. Commentators wishing she had more expression.

9:37pm
Her routine was “front-loaded” with jumps, slow ending.

9:39pm
Seeing Asada come in, iPod in ears. Was it her who, while awaiting her score on Tuesday, thanked someone for making sure she didn’t forget to bring it with her that night?

9:40pm
Double waves from Sebestyen. TS: 151.26. Coach kisses her head.

9:41pm
Min-Jung Kwak, 16, from Korea. Black calls her “mini Yu-Na”. Wearing a black and turquois dress. Skating to Les Misérables. Sticks her triple lutz.

9:42pm
Misses her double toe on a triple lutz.

9:45pm
Crowd is loving her spins.

9:46pm
Huge applause. Black calls her “the future” of skating.

9:48pm
Kwak couldn’t be happier. Has her hands in prayer pose. Squeals and puts her hands on her cheeks, like Home Alone at her score: 155.53 for third!

10:09pm
We’re back after a 15 minute break. I just did a little math, and I bet this could be done in 2.5 hours rather than 4.5 hours if only there were fewer breaks. Just saying.

10:10pm
Rochette is in the building! She’s walking in. Her dad is here too, in the stands. Both composed. Imagine what they’re feeling.

10:11pm
Russian Alena Leonova is on. In black and royal blue. She’s skating to the sound track of Chicago. Stumbles coming out of two jumps. Nice triple flip-double axel.

10:14pm
Slowing down.

10:15pm
Speeding up.

10:16pm
Finishes with a big fist pump, and woah, pulling her hair. Wow. She’s pumped.

10:18pm
Blowing kisses. Seems that one hand is gloved, one not. She is still excited! Speaking Russian really fast. So it sounds. TS: 172.46, for first. Double thumbs up and a stuck out tongue!

10:19pm
Japan’s Akiko Suzuki doing West Side Story in a red dress. Nice three jump combination.

10:20pm
So light on her feet.

10:21pm
Big smile with a side of spiral.

10:22pm
Doubled a triple flip. But pulls off a great triple lutz. She’s got fans in the stands.

10:23pm
Music change and a burst of energy. Some arm twirls at her side. And quick steps. Peanut gallery says it looks like the Elaine dance on ice. But elegant!

10:24pm
Wow, she is moved to tears as she finishes. Overcome with emotion, covers her face with both hands. The crowd is excited!

10:25pm
Double wave from Suzuki. She’s regained her composure. TS: 181.44! That’s first! Eyes bug out, big smile to her coach.

10:27pm
Italian Carolina Kostner is up, also in blue. Lots of blue! Blue is the new black. Bach is on.

10:28pm
Ooh. Slips on her first jump.

10:28pm
Like we heard on Tuesday, she moves too fast into her jumps. Falls again!

10: 29pm
Gets the next jump. Black says she struggles with consistency. Yes.

10:30pm
Oh again! Falls. These are big, hard falls. And again! Oh my.

10:31pm
Lands the next jump. Thank goodness for inconsistency.

10:32pm
Wow, finishes with her her head in hand, and slow glide bent over. Stands up, bonks her forehead with her hand. But smiles at least!

10:34pm
Kostner holding back tears. Throws her hands up in the air: 151.90, for seventh.

10:35pm
Laura Lepisto of Finland, taking her full minute to settle onto the ice. Starts off time of the music. Oh no, the wrong music played or something. Rolls her eyes! Justifiable.

10:36pm
Wearing red, skating tango. Huge triple combination.

10:39pm
“Crisp and powerful” and “effortless” jumps. Indeed. Smiling, very expressive face.

10:40pm
Finishes with a self hug. She’s happy.

10:42pm
We see Rochette walking with coach, she’s in black tights, grey t-shirt. Seems strong.

10:43pm
“Woah!” says Lepisto. 187.97 for a big first!

10:44pm
Russia’s Ksenia Makarova is on. Wearing royal blue, with a little orange thing on one hip, like you’d have in flag football.

10:45pm
Lands her triple combination. Solid jumps. Striking lay back spin. Tad unsteady spiral.

10:47pm
Nailing jump after jump! But slips on a spin. Finishes with fast spin sequence.

10:50pm
Waiting for score, yelling lots of things into the camera, some in English such as “all my schools”…? TS:171.91, for fourth.

10:51pm
Georgian Elene Gedevanishvili is on, in bright red with a bit of gold. She’s a “fireball on the ice” we hear.

10:52pm
Big fall on her first jump.

10:53pm
Regains footing with triple toe-triple toe-double toe.

10:54pm
Crowd clapping to the beat of the music. But she has lost enthusiasm.

10:55pm
Finishes with a look of disappointment.

10:56pm
We see the glittery back of Rochette.

10:57pm
First air heart of the night from Gedevanishvili. She’s smiling. TS: 155.24, putting her in eighth. Mouths, “Woah.”

10:59pm
Rochette is on the ice, warming up along with the other five skaters left to show us their stuff. The crowd is roaring. She is wearing a turquoise dress with sequins.

11:02pm
Rochette tightens the lace of one skate. Her right one. She always puts her left skate on first. Coach says something to her, she nods, skates off.

11:03pm
We are seeing the commercials that air in Korea of Kim, and paparazzi around her.

11:05pm
We’re hearing that American Rachel Flatt is the “dark horse” tonight, a real threat because she is so consistent.

11:06pm
Rochette has left the ice.

11:07pm
Flatt is up, 17 years old, wearing red with gold sequins. She’s in fifth right now. Lands a solid double axel. Then triple flip-triple toe loop. Effortless.

11:09pm
Smiling. Apparently she spins slower than Kim and Asada, but she can land jumps like nobody’s business.

11:11pm
Commentators call her “Miss Consistency.” Finishes with a huge smile and a “Yes!” Blacks says: “Flatt out great!”

11:13pm
Wow, no idea what she’s motioning with her hands, looks like a C and an O. TS: 182.49, for second spot. Triple jumps were “downgraded.” Seems disappointed, but taking it in stride. “Okay,” shrugs. Commentators stunned.

11:14pm
Ando of Japan is skating to Cleopatra music. Wearing turquoise and gold dress and cuffs. Lands her triple combination. Apparently she’s been upping her routine all day. Her hair is half down, very Cleopatra.

11:16pm
Lands her second triple lutz. We’re hearing she appears cautious.

11:17pm
Smiles are nowhere to be seen. Not even after an amazing jump.

11:18pm
Finishes with slow smile, but not before shutting her eyes hard.

11:20pm
Waiting for score. Here it comes: 188.86, for first. Double wave, “thank you” and throws her head back. Relief?

11:21pm
“Queen Yu-Na Kim” as Black referred to her earlier is on now. Wearing royal blue. Apropos. Skating to Concerto in F.

11:22pm
Sticks her triple lutz-triple toe. And then a triple flip, with a smile to boot.

11:23pm
More magnificent jumps. “She is just ON.”

11:24pm
She moves with captivating ease.

11:26pm
Before she’s even done, Black can’t hold back: “One of the greatest free skates in Olympic history! It doesn’t get better!”

She’s crying. Skating slowly, folds in half, hands on her knees. Orser is smiling, raises his eyebrows. The crowd is hysterical.

11:27pm
Black isn’t sure anyone can match Kim’s performance. Not even Rochette?

11:28pm
Orser is so happy sitting next to Kim, his face is bright red. She is wiping her face with a tissue. Breathing heavy. Smiling. Score comes and Kim mouths “Oh my God!” 228.56! A NEW WORLD RECORD. She stands up and waves, and Orser lifts his hands in victory too!

11:30pm
Japan’s Asada is not to be outdone. She lands her triple axel, a stunning, rare accomplishment. And then does it again, in a combination. The crowd roars.

11:31pm
She is wearing a black and red dress, with black gloves. She moves with tremendous speed and grace. A lot of emotion in her face.

11:32pm
“These girls are here to fight it out tonight.” But then, a couple of stumbles, one going into a jump.

11:34pm
Finishes without much joy in her face. “She knows she gave some points back,” say commentators.

11:35pm
We see Rochette’s father in the stands. She takes the ice.

11:36pm
Double wave from Asada. Huge bouquet of red and white roses beside her. TS: 205.50, for second. She hasn’t moved her face and her gaze has been straight ahead.

11:37pm
Rochette’s name is announced. She is fixing her laces again. Wiping the snow from her blades. Nods to her coach. And she is settling on the ice.

11:38pm
Nails her first jump: triple lutz-double toe-double loop.

Oh, but steps out of her next jump.

11:39pm
Her eyebrows are furrowed.

11:39pm
She is gliding in a spiral.

The crowd is cheering spontaneously, emphatically.

11:40pm
Sticks her jump. And again.

11:41pm
Crowd is clapping to the beat of the music. Clapping to a symphony. She nails another jump, and bites her lower lip in determination on the landing.

11:42pm
The music isn’t even done, she’s still skating, and the crowd is thunderous. Her father is clapping. She is emotional, smiling, but composed. Taking bows in every direction, and the crowd is on its feet. Flowers are raining on the ice. She picks up a stuffed Olympic mascot and waves it to the crowd. Hugs Perron, who hands her pink skate guards.

11:44pm
She is speaking French to the cameras. Has her hand on her heart. Perron is hugging her tightly. TS: 292.64, for third. Rochette and Perron embrace, you can’t even see their faces they are so close together. They are both holding back tears. She waves to the crowd, and nods slightly.

11:45pm
Last skater of the night. If anyone will disrupt the medal standing now it’s her. American Mirai Nagasu. She is wearing a red dress with black sequins. Her second double toe is “iffy” say commentators.

11:47pm
The “best lay back of the competition.”

11:48pm
“A first-class spiral”

11:49pm
Lands yet another solid jump. And then the triple toe loop too, the last jump of her performance.

“She did everything she had to do here” says Black.

11:50pm
Finishes with a triumphant arm in the air, and a “Yes”.

“It will be very close” Black muses.

11:51pm
Nagasu saying hello to her mom and dad, among others, into the cameras. Drinking water. Saying more hellos and thank yous. Scores are not coming quickly. She seems happy, smiling for the cameras. Commentators very perplexed by the delay. Finally, the TS: 190.15. For fourth.

11:54
ROCHETTE gets bronze!

Rochette’s father is getting a huge hug in the stands. He is clapping.

Rochette “is a true Canadian Olympic hero!” proclaims Black.

11:55pm
Nagasu takes fourth with admirable grace and joy. She stands up and waves to the crowd and smiles huge. That is remarkable sportsmanship.

11:59pm
“I can’t believe it, and I’m really glad that I became Olympic champion,” says Kim in an interview. She is clearly emotional and still wrapping her head around this epic win.

12:00am
We are watching a replay of Orser as Kim did her performance and it is entirely endearing. He is bursting with pride, and almost mimicking her movements from outside the ice.

12:02am
The Mounties—and the medals—are on the ice!

12:03am
Rochette is back on the ice. Bowing. Smiling. She is beaming. Her father is too. He is holding back tears. She skates to the podium. Isn’t sure which one to take. Redirected, she hops on.

12:04am
Asada skates out, “Miss Triple Axel” as commentators call her, bows.

12:05am
Kim skates out, the crowd is still on its feat. She is smiling, and bowing. She hugs Rochette and Asada and takes the top spot. Clenches her hands at her sides and then releases.

12:06am
Rochette is named the bronze medallist. Big sigh, smile, wave to the crowd. The medal goes around her neck. She looks at it, holds it, says wow, shakes her head. The flowers are given to her. She is holding back tears. She raises the flowers, salutes the crowd. The tears have started. She wipes her eyes. She waves.

12:07am
Asada is given the silver medal, she smiles. It is around her neck, and she says thank you. She is pursing her lips. The flowers come. No smiles, she looks like she will cry. She looks at the silver medal. And then back to the crowd.

12:08am
Kim is announced as the gold medallist. She smiles, waves. Orser is clapping alongside Perron. She looks at the gold medal around her neck, picks it up and waves it at the crowd. The flowers are waved. The Korean anthem is playing.

12:10am
Kim is singing, with her hand over her heart. Rochette is still holding back tears, smiling through the moment.

12:11am
Kim is crying now, wiping her cheeks. The three medallists are all on the top podium, smiling. No tears for that photo.

12:12am
Rochette has a Canadian flag draped over her shoulders, Kim the Korean flag, Asada the Japanese. They smile. Cameras flash like lightening in the dim arena.

A massive sign in front of them says “Go Go Joannie.” Did she ever.

Heading to the Downtown Eastside for the swankiest party of the Games

By Anne Kingston - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 6:33 PM - 6 Comments

Michael Ignatieff looks slightly stunned as he pushes his way into the packed reception at Bob Rennie’s fantabulous private art gallery in the Downtown Eastside with his wife Zsuzsanna on Wednesday afternoon. “Is this a church?,” he asks, gazing upward at the soaring ceilings and high windows that permitted beatific light. Then he went into scholarly mode: “Because the analogy would be apt.”

The question too is apt. Rennie, a ridiculously rich 51-year-old condo developer and big-time art collector, has God-like status in this city. He’s been called Vancouver’s most influential citizen. The money helps. Last year, Rennie Marketing Systems generated over $1.5 billion in sales. But the boyish entrepreneur also makes things happen. When New York architect Robert Stern’s design for the Olympic Village got panned, Rennie had him fired and replaced by his pal, Arthur Erickson. His big project is the Downtown Eastside, Canada’s poorest postal code. Rennie pushed through the redevelopment of the Woodward building which now houses Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts, social housing and retail space. And he poured tens of millions into renovating Chinatown’s oldest structure, the Wang Sing Building which dates back to 1889.  The condemned space was in such derelict condition workers had to wear hazard suits.

Now it’s his headquarters and a private gallery for his renowned collection of socially conscious contemporary art. During the Games, the gallery has been taken over by the World Olympians Association, an alumni group founded by the IOC, which is using it as a place for former Olympians to hang out. For the duration, Rennie’s collection is in storage and the walls are covered with an exhibit of splendid photographs taken at the Beijing Games.

Because Rennie is a guy who likes to make things happen, he decided to throw an afternoon shindig in the middle of the Games, a kind of social summit to bring together communities that don’t generally mingle—Olympic mucky-mucks, athletes, artists, politicians, arts administrators, and social activists from the community, many of whom opposed the Games. And because Bob asked them, they came, even with the big Canada-Russian hockey game about to start (it was broadcast on the wall).

Hundreds packed into the space, among them current mayor Gregor Robinson Robertson, former mayor Senator Larry Campbell, Canada Olympic Committee CEO Chris Rudge, city councilor Kim Capri, Team Canada medalists Maëlle Ricker and Mike Robertson. Caitlin Jones, the executive director of artist-run Western Front, wearing a “I’m cranky about BC arts cuts” button stood next to Liberal insider Patrick Kinsella.

When Ignatieff arrives, Rennie leaps over to give him a quick hug. “He’s my new best friend,” the real estate developer boasts. Ignatieff dropped by to chat with him earlier in the week, Rennie explains, and ended up staying for an hour and a half. Such is the power of Bob.

Rennie is in his element as host, addressing the crowd about the galvanizing power of the Games, the thrill of just walking down the street. “It’s socially acceptable now to have a conscience,” he tells the group.

Already the gallery has become a landmark. Rennie tells me Rudge approached him last October, after it opened, asking if the COC could use the space for Canada Olympic House, a retreat for Canadian athletes and their families. The idea of bringing the team to the off-the-track Downtown Eastside pleased him, he said. Creating a place that would bring people who wouldn’t otherwise step foot in the area was his goal, he says. So he was less happy when the Hudson’s Bay Company ended up putting the retreat in its flagship downtown store. “It is a big sponsor,” Rudge explains later.

The mood in the room is buoyant—about the Games and Rennie’s ambitions for the neighbourhood, though a few people express disappointment they weren’t going to get a peak of Rennie’s famous collection.

Carrie Belanger of 411 Senior Centre, a drop-in for senior citizens in the neighbourhood, tells me her concerns about the Olympics—that it would bring congestion that would limit her clients’ access—proved mostly unfounded. “There has been some inconvenience but the energy has been fabulous,” she says. VANOC has been generous with tickets for her clients: “Never in a million years would they have access to sporting and cultural events.”

Minister Ric Matthews of First United Church Mission around the corner believes Rennie is trying to bridge the space between the elite that attends the Olympics and people in the margins. What he wants is to find a middle ground that will also preserve the low-income neighbourhood. “It’s protecting space so people feel at home.”

Ron Burnett, president of Emily Carr University of Art + Design, is more hopeful. “If we can create a cultural impact in the area, we can help homelessness,” he says. “You can’t see a solution if you stay away.” The risk, he allows, is that gentrification will drive up property values and push out residents who have no other place to go. “It’s a challenging problem. But I think the city has made an amazing effort in buying land and hotels and creating a sense of momentum.” He cites the revitalization of New York’s Bowery, as an example: “You create a democratic space—a sense of participation from all classes.”

Rennie’s critics, of whom there are many in this town, are here too—outside, where a handful of protesters picketed with signs reading “Resort City Trend Sped Up by Olympics” and “Bob, we want social housing not condos.”

Rider Cooey, a protester wearing a “2010 Welfare Olympics” t-shirt, says Rennie’s pattern is to gentrify and condo-ize. The Downtown Eastside is his latest target. “This building is his vanity project,” he says, “He’s a marketer. The more he gets those quotes out about making a difference in the neighbourhood, the more successful he’ll be.”

Jean Swanson, coordinator of Carnegie Community Action Project, a neighbourhood community centre, has tangled with Rennie in the past. “Who does it benefit?” she asks of the gallery. “Maybe it makes the area look prettier. Meanwhile, residents are being pushed out, rents in crummy hotels are running $800 a month.”  A mapping project found 95 per cent want to live here—with good housing, she says. “They like the non-judgmental nature of it; they’re stigmatized in other neighbourhoods.”

As I talk with them, Rennie’s guests keep coming and going through doors guarded by police. No one who walks down the street here can escape the complexity of the challenge: a block from the single-room occupancy hotel Balmoral, there’s Bombast, a swank furniture store selling $3,500 sofas. And in between the streets are filled with homeless for whom the neighbourhood is home, at least for now.

Olympic Photos: Thursday February 25th, 2010

By macleans.ca - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 5:52 PM - 0 Comments

Cheryl Bernard one step from gold

By Michael Friscolanti - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 5:52 PM - 2 Comments

Let the Google searches continue. Cheryl Bernard, the skip of the Canadian women’s curling team—and a full-blown Internet sensation—is on the brink of Winter Games glory after leading her rink to a semi-final win over Switzerland today. The 6-5 victory sets up a gold-medal showdown Friday afternoon against Sweden, the defending Olympic champs. “It’s amazing,” said a beaming Bernard. “You get this close and you want it even more.”

She wasn’t quite so chipper last night. Battling a nasty cold, the 43-year-old Calgarian declined a chance to attend the Canada/Russia hockey showdown, choosing instead to gulp some NeoCitran and watch the game from her bed. It was the right choice. The only symptoms she felt this morning were the butterflies in her stomach. “There were a lot of nerves, but we tried to breathe and tried to do all the stuff we know how to do, and I thought we played great under the circumstances,” she said. “Our team handled the nerves.”

Tonight—with at least a silver medal now guaranteed—Bernard plans to drink something else: a glass of red wine. “Definitely,” she laughed.

There were certainly some tense moments. Trailing 5-4 in the ninth, Swiss skip Mirjam Ott looked ready to steal a point for the tie after guiding her rock onto the button, directly in front of one of the Canadian stones. But Bernard followed that up with the highlight of the morning, using her hammer to knock out the Swiss stone and capture one. (It was nearly two, but another Swiss rock was a smidgen closer than the other Canadian stone left in the house).

Down by two in the tenth, Ott had one final chance to tie things up, but after her final shot eliminated Bernard’s stone, it rolled a little too far. The crowd—which included Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and actor Donald Sutherland—erupted in applause. Ott could only shake her head. “It’s hard,” she said. “It was a close game and it was obviously not my best day.”

It wasn’t Bernard’s best day, either. But it was enough to ensure that the Canadian women leave Vancouver with some sort of curling medal in their suitcases. Had they lost, it would have meant a fight for the bronze tomorrow morning against the Chinese, who lost 9-4 to the Swedes. “I think there is pressure off,” said Dennis Balderston, the Canadian coach. “Personally, I felt the pressure. I tried not to show it to them, but this was the pressure game for me.”

Bernard agreed. “We know how much it meant, and I haven’t played a game like that before and neither have the rest of the girls,” she said. “There is not so much pressure now, but we still have a job to do.”

Susan O’Connor, Bernard’s third, said when Switzerland’s last rock slid out of the circle, her first emotion was relief. “Now it’s just exciting,” she said. “It’s exciting that we get to come play for the gold medal in front of this crowd. What could be better in the world?”

Just one thing. A win.

Let us now debate the difference between user fees and taxes

By Aaron Wherry - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 5:50 PM - 43 Comments

John Baird says the government will increase the airport security fee charged to air travelers, the opposition critics say this is a tax and this is perhaps relevant because the Prime Minister once said, “I give you my word, as long as I will be Prime Minister … there will be no new taxes.” (In fairness, he said “no new taxes,” which wouldn’t, one supposes, necessarily preclude him from increasing taxes that already exist.)

Here, for the sake of argument, is how the distinction was explained in a 1987 New York Times story about the Reagan administration’s attempt to navigate this discussion.

Joseph A. Pechman, a leading tax authority and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, thinks there can be a distinction. A user fee – such as the admission fee to national parks – is, he said, ”imposed on individuals who use certain services provided by the Government and is proportional to the use of the service.” By contrast, he defines a tax as a ”mandatory assessment on an individual family based on certain characteristics, such as income or consumption.”

But Mr. Pechman adds that a user fee is sometimes not very different from an ”excise tax,” which is a tax imposed on particular commodities, such as gasoline, cigarettes and alcohol.

Quick Hits: Dan, Leno and Craig

By Jaime Weinman - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 5:44 PM - 0 Comments

Just some quick TV-related stuff:

- Fred Ewanuick talks to Bill Harris about Dan For Mayor, premiering next week. I’ve only seen the pilot, which starts out with quite a bit of charm and humour and gets funnier as it goes along. The version I saw had some pacing issues that might be corrected in the final version (that is, it seemed like the editing and musical scoring didn’t always speed the show along as much as they might), but Ewanuick is a good lead — as well as, obviously, an experienced TV comedy performer — and the pilot sets up a bunch of promising story possibilities.

[vodpod id=Video.3120237&w=560&h=340&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

Since Ewanuick is once again playing a likable but not-very-bright guy, it raises the question of how different his new character is from the one he played on Corner Gas. It doesn’t seem, from the pilot, that he’s that different, but since he is the star, he can’t be as dumb as he was as the second banana on Corner Gas. When supporting players become stars, they often play vaguely similar roles, but a bit less cartoonish because they’re now heroes rather than stooges. (It even happens when they play the same character: think of Frasier on Cheers vs. Frasier on his own show.) Plus there’s a wardrobe difference that is all but essential:

“There were discussions early on as far as wardrobe and stuff,” Ewanuick said. “They were adamant, ‘This guy (Dan) doesn’t wear a hat!’ But that was as close as any discussion came to making sure this guy wasn’t like Hank.”

- Steve Sternberg argues that the idea that Jay Leno’s image has been damaged is just wishful thinking on the part of anti-Leno types. Leno and O’Brien have different fanbases, and Leno has an older, generally loyal fanbase that supported him at 10 (there just weren’t enough people watching to make him a hit in prime-time, as opposed to late night). I have to agree with this, basically. I’d like to see somebody do a detailed, scientific poll on who watches Leno and O’Brien and Letterman, and how many people plan to follow Jay back to 11:35 — but in the absence of specific polling data, it still seems likely that most people who liked Leno before are now glad to have him back.

- Further showing that he’s the most experimental and interesting of the late-night hosts, Craig Ferguson recently tried (for one episode) morphing his show into a different kind of talk show, the Tom Snyder type of show where there is no audience, and the show consists of a long back-and-forth conversation between the host and the guest. The show, with guest Stephen Fry, worked quite well, and was an object lesson in how the presence or absence of an audience can completely change the rhythm and feel of a show — it’s not better, not worse, but an interview with two guys alone in a studio (except for the zillions of crew people and onlookers, I mean) is a very different thing from an interview with the two guys and bunch of people reacting to it.

Of course, while I appreciate Ferguson’s tribute to TV figures of the past — he really does seem to have a love of the medium and the genre that goes beyond anyone else’s — every time I think of Tom Snyder I think of this cartoon (the Snyder bit is at 1:30):

Liveblog: Kevin Martin smells gold

By Michael Friscolanti - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 5:25 PM - 1 Comment

The best curler in the world is trying to rubber-stamp his status with an Olympic gold medal. But first Kevin Martin needs to conquer to the Swedes in today’s semi-final. After end number one, there’s no score. The other semi-final is Norway versus Switzerland.

2:28 pm — Two things stand out. One: Kevin Martin looks a whole lot younger in person. If he cut his losses and shaved off that last little bit of hair, the TV cameras wouldn’t be so unforgiving. Two: Norway’s famous checkered pants look a whole lot louder in person. The white belt is the clincher.

2:33 pm — Canada takes the early 1-0 lead after Martin sends his hammer into the four-foot circle for a single point. Same score next door, as Norway and their pants strike first against the Swiss.

2:41 pm — No sign of actor Donald Sutherland, who showed up (with a novel in his hand) to the women’s semis this morning. Still trying to confirm what book he was reading. And whether Kiefer likes curling, too.

2:46 pm — Norway 2, Switzerland 0.

2:50 pm — This could be a disastrous third end for Team Martin. Swedish skip Niklas Edin is lying three with the hammer in his pocket. Huge final shot coming up for Martin. The crowd is pumped.

2:52 pm — Minimal damage. Martin knocked a Canadian rock into the four-foot circle, and the best Edin could do was a single. Bit opportunity lost for the Swedes. To end four we go, tied at one.

2:58 pm — Hard!!!

2:59 pm — Harder!!!

3:09 pm — Sweet recovery by the Swedish skip. With his final rock of the fourth end, he knocked two Canadian stones out of the house and left his neatly inside the four-foot circle. Martin had no choice but to take the single point and relinquish the hammer. Canada 2, Sweden 1. This is an anxious crowd. They’ve usually sung O Canada by now.

3:23 pm — Martin steals two to end the first half, sending the bleachers into a cow-bell frenzy. That’s two costly misses now for Niklas Edin, the 24-year-old Swedish skip. 4-1 Canada. It’s the same score on Sheet B, with Norway in the lead. If this holds up, the gold-medal final will be Mr. Pressure versus Men in Checkers.

3:39 pm — Switzerland is fighting back. 4-3 Norway.

3:45 pm — Edin misses again. Another steal of two for Canada. 6-1.

3:59 pm — Seven ends done. This one’s over. News at 11. In the meantime, did you know that Kevin Martin owns a curling and tennis shop in Edmonton? It’s called “Kevin’s Rocks-n-Racquets,” and if you go there next week, you’ll see an Olympic medal hanging behind the counter. The only question is which one: gold or silver?

4:14 pm — A fan is desperately trying to get the rest of the crowd to sing O Canada, but they won’t bite. They’re too busy watching a blowout. End number nine, 6-2 Canada.

5:07 pm — Canada vs. Norway for gold.

Winter Games: Photo album No. 4

By Scott Feschuk - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 5:23 PM - 5 Comments

This shot is from Whistler. In my final days up there, there was a real surge in the number of animal costumes on the street. There was one promoting a burrito shop. There were a couple sent out by local bars. But the weird thing is that many appeared to have no corporate affiliation whatsoever. I think they were just Whistler residents who had these costumes in the closet and Continue…

Helena Guergis would like to apologize

By Aaron Wherry - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 4:38 PM - 59 Comments

Helena Guergis would like to apologize. For something. The Globe suggests why. The CBC, via Wayne Easter, via an anonymous letter, has further alleged details.

“On February 19, I was rushing to catch a flight at the Charlottetown Airport and spoke emotionally to some staff members. Regardless of my workload and personal circumstances, it was not appropriate and I apologize to airport and Air Canada staff.

“It was certainly not my intention to create any additional stress for airport or Air Canada employees who already have a very difficult job.

“My father was born in Summerside and many of my relatives still live on the Island, which I love and visit almost every year. To me, it is a very special place that demonstrates the best Canada has to offer. I wish to express my appreciation to all the hard-working people who make it so welcoming.”

Still more from the Globe, Star and Guardian.

Canada-U.S.: How do the women's hockey teams stack up?

By Nancy Macdonald - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 4:14 PM - 2 Comments

The Canada-U.S. women’s hockey rivalry is one of hockey’s greatest; for these two, there’s no such thing as silver. Later this afternoon, they’ll face-off for Olympic gold in front of a raucous crowd at Canada Hockey Place in downtown Vancouver. How do they match up?

OFFENSE:
Canada has two great lines. The U.S. has a deeper bench, and can roll four. Even Team USA’s fourth line, with Karen Thatcher and youngsters Erika Lawler and Jocelyne Lamoureux—one half of the team’s twins—can compete. Jocelyne’s sister Monique has been playing on the first line with Jenny Potter and young phenom, Hillary Knight.

The U.S. shoots better, but Canada’s Meghan Agosta—who has nine goals in four games—can score with her eyes closed; Hayley Wickenheiser, over the years, has evolved into an unselfish, cerebral playmaker, more likely to set up the play than shoot.

Potter and Natalie Darwitz are the top scorers for the U.S.: each has 11 points. The U.S. has scored 40 goals on 183 shots during the Games for a 21.86 efficiency tournament—the best at the Games. Canada is second at 19.91, with 46 goals on 231 shots.

DEFENSE:
Canada has a stronger defense than their American counterparts. Team USA standouts are 192-lber Angela Ruggiero, unquestionably the best defenseman in the game, and the U.S.’s soul and physical presence. Two-time Olympian, Caitlin Cahow is also a joy to watch.
Canada, on the other hand, is bigger and will play a more physical game. Rookie Catherine Ward, who plays for McGill, leads the team in ice time, with 20 minutes 7 seconds, and is plus-13; Canada’s other defensive standouts include Becky Kellar, Colleen Sostorics and Carla MacLeod.

EXPERIENCE:
The U.S. is a younger, less experienced team, with 15 first-time Olympians on its 21-player roster; Canada has just seven Oly rookies.

WHO TO WATCH:
Over the course of the tournament, Meghan Agosta, who is currently studying law at Pennsylvania’s Mercyhurst College, has evolved into Canada’s next major star. She’s one of the fastest women in the game, has great patience with the puck and an uncanny ability to find the hole; she leads the tournament in goals. She’ll flat-out tell you that her intention is to be the best player in the world. She’s going to get there—and sooner than anyone had thought.

She and Canada’s 18-year-old phenom, Marie-Philip Poulin—whose top-shelf backhand against Sweden wound up on TSN’s highlight reel—are the future of the women’s game in Canada.

GOALTENDING:
USA’s Jessie Vetter, the reigning Patty Kazmaier Award winner as the NCAA’s top player, has blocked 41 of 42 shots in the tournament so far.

Coach Mel Davidson hasn’t announced who’ll be backstopping for Canada. Kim St-Pierre and Shannon Szabados have been splitting time for Canada; Szabados, the youngest of Canada’s three goalies at 23, started Canada’s last game—a 5-0 semi-final win over Finland, on Monday.

PRESSURE:
“Think about it: they’re the defending gold medalists, they’re the No. 1-ranked team,” says Team USA’s Ruggiero. “We don’t have that pressure. We’re just going to be able to go out and just play. I don’t envy Canada in these Games. They have the weight of their nation on their shoulders. Canada can deny it as much as they want—but there’s the weight of a nation on them. And we see that. And I know they see that. And they’re going to try to diffuse it as much as they can.”

“Every one of them is saying it in the media—so we’re hearing it every day,” Team Canada’s Jayna Hefford said yesterday, in response to questions about the pressure Canada faces at home in Vancouver.

Look at all the stuff we did

By Aaron Wherry - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 3:58 PM - 15 Comments

The Prime Minister’s Office sends Susan Delacourt a daily rundown of all the things Conservative MPs did while the House was prorogued.

New names added to government enemies list

By Aaron Wherry - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 3:08 PM - 21 Comments

The Liberals announce the roster of speakers for their big think in Montreal next month. Make of this what you will.

Recalibration reconsidered

By Aaron Wherry - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 3:03 PM - 5 Comments

Two days after an unnamed government official told reporters there would be no new spending in the upcoming budget, an unnamed government official (the same unnamed government official? a different unnamed government official?) says the upcoming budget will include new spending, just nothing “extravagant.”

Why Sony gambled on Lang Lang

By Jaime Weinman - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 3:00 PM - 0 Comments

A classical pianist is worth millions to a major company? What is this, 1940? The signing of Chinese pianist Lang Lang by Sony’s music division seems like a reminder of a time when classical recording was big business. The story was broken in a gossipy, tabloid-style way, with Sony refusing to officially announce the signing until after it had leaked out. Music journalist Norman Lebrecht, who got his information from the pianist’s rebuffed former label, Deutsche Grammophon (which clearly didn’t want to lose him), reported that Sony had paid approximately $3 million—a figure the company has not confirmed or denied—to get Lang and his famous unkempt hair. In an era when classical CDs may sell only a few hundred copies, Lang is the only young artist who’s treated like a pop star, with a contract to match. “He’s his generation’s best hope at a real live classical music superstar,” says Anne Midgette, music critic for the Washington Post. He’s also the industry’s best hope for making classical records profitable.

Lang, who will be in Toronto for a concert on April 6, is the only classical musician to get competing, high-priced offers from major labels. Most classical headliners today are lucky if they can even get what Midgette describes as “shorter contracts for two or three albums.” Bucking this trend, Sony wants Lang to record exclusively for them, the way cellist Yo-Yo Ma does, and they’re willing to pay for the privilege, the way labels paid for the likes of Luciano Pavarotti. With his showboating, crowd-pleasing concert style, which often involves closing his eyes and rocking back and forth in ecstasy, Lang is seen as a throwback to an era when classical stars really were equal to pop stars. Lebrecht, who is on his way to Ottawa to talk about his new book Why Mahler?, says that Lang’s contract is a tribute to the fact that he’s not only a star but “a burgeoning commercial brand.”

That brand is good for a label that wants to re-establish itself as a player in the music business. Sony dumped most of its classical artists years ago in a frenzy of downsizing, but now Midgette thinks that the company “is trying to rouse itself to become a major player in whatever the new market is.” Lebrecht explains that, from a corporate point of view, it’s important for Sony to fix its classical operation in case it someday wants to sell its music division. Having Lang on the roster, he says, allows Sony to “pretend to look like a record label once more.” Even in a record industry ravaged by the recession, it’s good business for a company to have some classical stars on its books, and Lebrecht says that Lang is “the only artist who could fit that strategy.”

Continue…