Fond Farewell for Scotty

Copyright 2001 Sun Media Corporation

From the first moment he stepped on the ice, he was bathed in the warmest of standing ovations. But then again, it was his night. His last call.

Ottawa skating fans got their chance to give Scott Hamilton one final hug last night at the Corel Centre.

There's no doubt Kurt Browning got this one right. The official name on the playbill read Chrysler Stars On Ice. But this was merely the latest installment in the Scott Hamilton Lovefest Tour.

He's one of a kind, to be sure.

When you take in a night of Stars On Ice, you get many reasons to cheer. Great skating that lifts you out of your seat. Cleverly designed group numbers that make you smile. And a whole lot more in between.

Kind of sums up Hamilton, the founder and soul of Stars On Ice, who, at age 42, is calling an end to life on the road when this tour winds to its end May 1.

Last night's show offered an opportunity for Ottawa skating fans to be introduced to some new members of the tight-knit SOI cast. Alexei Yagudin reprised his powerful Gladiator program to appreciative cheers, while fellow Russian Maria Butyrskaya brought her own sultry touch to the evening. So, too, did former U.S. champion ice dancers Renee Roca and Gorsha Sur.

There were Canadian favourites, of course. Like Browning, who had the crowd splitting its sides during a cowboy duet with Josee Chouinard to Dixie Chicks' tunes. Later, with a mere dash of flashy footwork from one end of the ice to the other, the all-time Canadian had them on their feet again.

You want loud cheers, you invite Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz to be a part of your skating show. It never fails and they didn't, either. And there will always be a special place in Canadians' hearts for Brian Orser, who delivered a couple of classy skates to music by Phil Collins (Against All Odds) and Stevie Wonder (Sir Duke).

But in the end, it was a night to celebrate the genius of Hamilton, who -- as his final solo number was appropriately titled -- always did it My Way. You admire his jumps and his spins, but it's his well-placed gags and amusing footwork that stick.

Then again, Hamilton has always been about fun. It's the competitor inside that made him an Olympic champion and still gets him pumping his fist at the end of another great show.

But the thing that's most noticeable about Hamilton is the wide smile that never seems to leave his face. The tour life may be ending, but the love affair he has with the ice and with the audiences will never die.

That sage Browning put it this way before the tour started: "You want to know what Scott's like? Come watch him skate."

One last time, we're glad we did.

Thanks again, Scotty. It's been our pleasure.