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Sandhu confident heading to Minneapolis
But the skating superstar-in-waiting isn't reluctant to admit that he now hungers for what Stojko, or any other Canadian for that matter, didn't get -- the Olympic gold in the men's singles event.
Stojko's misfortune in Japan has left that door wide open for the quietly confident Sandhu. What's that old saying, you're not bragging if you can back it up? When the 17-year-old Sandhu says Olympic gold is in his plans, he comes across as self-assured, not self-indulgent.
For one thing, the Richmond Hill teenager has proved that he is a comet in the figure skating galaxy. His nine triples, combined with a solid triple Axel-triple toe jump combination at the 1998 Canadian championships, not to mention an extraordinary sense of artistry, has the figure skating world in more of a tizzy than usual.
Sandhu, a former member of the National Ballet School of Canada, could skate to The Clash and look graceful.
His performance at the Canadians two months ago in Hamilton, followed by the now infamous Olympic team snub, had the skating public and media going crazy.
But sanity and peace have returned to Sandhu's daily routine and the promising skater is busy preparing for his first senior world championships, next month in Minneapolis -- the first step, he hopes, in what will be a long and illustrious senior career.
"I'm very excited," Sandhu said yesterday, prior to a practice at the Ed Sackfield Arena in Richmond Hill.
"My attitude going in is just to skate well and impress (the judges), and not to worry about where I finish," he said. "My first worlds is going to be a learning experience."
Sandhu and his coach, Joanne McLeod, realize that even if he skates a similar program to Hamilton, the judges aren't going to place the young skater anywhere near the medal podium, but a good showing in his world debut will set the foundation for a possible medal showing at the 1999 worlds and next Olympics.
Now that the Olympic frenzy is over, Sandhu has managed to refocus for Minneapolis. McLeod said she has turned down a number of potential sponsorship deals and appearance requests for her skater so he can concentrate on his education and skating.
She does promise, however, a big surprise next season -- likely a quadruple jump, perhaps in combination.
"We're keeping it a secret," she said. "Because then it will have more impact. And, to me, that's what sport is all about."