Skate Canada 2001

I'm very excited about Skate Canada this week. It's always special skating in your home country. Because this will be my last Skate Canada, it's sort of the beginning of the last chapter. ~~ Elvis Stojko ~~ He's jumping well, he looks very confident and he has a plan. ~~ Tracy Wilson ~~	© 2001 Photo by Gérard Châtaigneau
© 2001 Photo by Gérard Châtaigneau	© 2001 Photo by Gérard Châtaigneau

You put this music on, that's Elvis. This is me. This is what you get. ~ Elvis Stojko ~

He finally landed the elusive quadruple jump with sheer grit. It looked for a few moments that he'd lose it, but he held on to it for sheer life, well enough to tack a double toe loop on the end and turn it into a combination. The crowd erupted. Landing the quad was "a real emotional boost for me," Stojko said. He'd crossed a barrier, and now he can see the Salt Lake Olympics more clearly. -- Beverley Smith, Globe and Mail

© 2001 Photo by Paul Chiasson

© 2001 Photo by Andrea Chempinski

The picture is enduring: Elvis Stojko, clenching his fists to his head, his heart spent from a herculean effort. Stojko didn't win the gold medal at the MasterCard Skate Canada International on Saturday, but he scored a victory of sorts over himself, over time and over heartbreak. -- Beverley Smith, Globe and Mail © 2001 Photo by Paul & Michelle Harvath

"Spiritually I'm centered again." ~~ Elvis Stojko ~~

© 2001 Photo by Gérard Châtaigneau

Finally! I'm back! I feel free. I feel released. I feel like the Elvis before '98. I'm healed. Now I can build and get ready for Salt Lake City with nobody holding me back. I feel alive again. I've picked up all the pieces. This has been a long time coming. I'm myself again. I'm stronger and better and ready to go for the Olympics again. ~~ Elvis Stojko ~~

Onward to the Olympics!