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Olympic job may inspire N.B. youth: Games judge - Telegraph Journal
2010-02-12

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY:
JON MACNEILL
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

Olympic job may inspire N.B. youth: Games judge

SAINT JOHN - EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fourth in a five-part series highlighting New Brunswickers participating in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

After years of hard work and countless miles logged on jetliners and provincial highways, Cynthia Benson is Olympic-bound.

The Quispamsis resident was selected as the only Canadian judge to sit on the women's figure skating panel for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

The sweetest slice of fulfilling her Olympic dream, though, is what it could mean for the developing skaters she works with so often in this province.

"The best part was telling the young skaters and seeing their reactions," Benson said.

"Certainly, I'm very honoured and privileged to go the Olympics. But it also shows the skaters and athletes here in New Brunswick that your dreams can come true, that they can reach that level of success with hard work and dedication."

With her upcoming Olympic appearance, Benson, who grew up in Ottawa and came to New Brunswick 19 years ago to study law, has reached the level all International Skating Union judges aspire to.

But what separates Benson from most elite judges is her continuous involvement with grassroots figure skating programs.

"It's not common but I think it's a benefit to me," Benson said from a law office overlooking the Saint John Harbour, where she is a partner.

"It allows me to appreciate how difficult the sport is and it's rewarding seeing the smiles on both (elite and developing skaters') faces."

In addition to her status as an international judge, Benson works regularly with young skaters across the province as the chairwoman of Skate New Brunswick's competitive skater development program.

"I really enjoy giving back to the community and helping the skaters, but I take it very seriously as well. I want to do my best for them and so I spent a lot of time with them."

And when she says a lot, she means it.

In the past six months alone, Benson has judged competitions or overseen training sessions in Campbellton, Oromocto, Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John.

Add to that the high-profile international events she's judged since July, a schedule which saw her work in Belarus, China, Japan, Philadelphia and a slew of Canadian cities.

Benson estimates she's judged about 15 national competitions in Canada and more than 30 international events since the mid-'90s, and it's all done as a volunteer.

While she loves the work no matter where it takes her - whether sitting on a panel for the prestigious Cup of China or marking 16-year-olds at a competition in Hampton - Benson admitted the Olympics will be special.

"It's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," she said. "It's an honour to judge the Olympics but to judge the Olympics in your own country - I don't think I could ask for anything more."

It's a dream come true and she couldn't even contain her excitement when she learned the good news in October.

"The president of Skate Canada called me and, um, I believe I might have screamed," she said with a warm laugh. "My assistant heard me through the office door, so "Ś I was a little excited."

The national figure skating body selected Benson as its representative at the Olympics after a draw was held in Germany in late September to determine which countries would have judges on the various figure skating event panels.

The selection process is part of reforms undertaken by the ISU in the wake of the scandal that affected Canadians Jaime Sale and David Pelletier at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

A French judge admitted to giving a Russian pairs team first-place marks ahead of Sale and Pelletier in exchange for a first-place vote for a French dance team later in the Games.

The Canadians were awarded gold when news of the shady arrangement surfaced.

Benson said she fully endorses the new system - which was adopted in 2005 and includes the use of anonymous judges and a new scoring scheme.

"It's a much fairer and more transparent system and the skaters really appreciate it because they can see where they garner points and where they lose points," she said, adding that such immediate feedback has actually improved the quality of skating at all levels.

Benson leaves for Vancouver today and will attend Friday's opening ceremonies. Women's figure skating events are slated for Feb. 23 and 25th but Benson is also a substitute judge for the men's events, which take place earlier in the week.

She's thrilled her Olympic opportunity came when the Games are in Canada, where she said audiences know the sport and truly appreciate the high-calibre performances.

"There's a difference between some countries you go to where the stands are empty and some countries where you go and it's just polite applause," she said. "Whereas Canadians know the athletes, they know the level of performance and they're appreciative. I know skaters enjoy performing in Canada.

"You can feel (the excitement) when you walk in the building."

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