Lessons from BOTB

I caught Battle of the Blades last night. That's the the über-Canadian reality show that pairs retired NHL hockey players with figure skating superstars to compete as couples - complete with choreography, costumes, and crazy-ass lifts.  They perform a new piece each week, and each week one couple gets voted "off". The ultimate winners take nothing home for themselves except bragging rights; money is donated to their chosen charity.

Their commitment and sacrifices were highlighted in short vignettes between performances showing how the contestants balance a brutal training schedule with their regular busy lives and family obligations. The hockey players, in particular, are pushing themselves way outside their comfort zone, and even as atheletes everyone has to be diligent about staying injury-free.

There was high drama, too, when the custom-made skates of two-time Olympic champion, Ekaterina Gordeeva got delayed due to a flight misconneciton and almost didn’t make it to the rink in time.

I am so not checking my US Open costume!