DavidPelletier

Van Halen's 'Jump' blares from the speakers as I enter the Mastercard Centre for the 'Battle of the Blades' season 3 finale. It's actually appropriate considering all the twirls, spins and yes, jumps, the hockey players and figure skaters have showcased during the third season. The catchy tune is also whipping the crowd into a hand-clapping frenzy, and why not?



The finale's three remaining pairs -- Tessa Bonhomme and David Pelletier, Marie-France Dubreuil and Bryan Berard, and Tanith Belbin and Boyd Devereaux -- put everything out there with two spectacular performances. The first is a brand-new routine while the second has them repeating their favourite routine from earlier in the season.

With a $100,000 grand prize for charity on the line, not to mention bragging rights, the participants bring their A-games. Snazzy dresser Don Cherry joins resident judges Sandra Bezic and Jeremy Roenick and for the only time this year, the panel gives no scores. Instead, the winners are solely determined by Canada's votes.

Finale results and interviews with the pairs after the jump!

Worst Olympics Ever.

Oh I'm sorry, am I not allowed to say that? Because on Day 2 of the Games, I almost got into a Facebook fight with an old friend when he posted a status update that accused those of us with discerning tastes and sharp tongues of not supporting our country. He got an argument from me, but support from pretty much everyone else.

I guess VANOC is like our troops in the PR war. Nelly Furtado's lip synching is the shock and awe of the Olympiad. Isn't this how Bush got elected a second time?

Not only am I not sorry for coming out and saying that The Vancouver Games and the TV coverage of the Games suck, I'm actually kind of enjoying myself.