2016-2017 State of Canadian Figure Skating

[TGee]

I do have some mixed feelings about skating for other countries, but individual circumstances vary....

some classic scenarios....

Team/skater pushes envelope...not accepted/supported by national federation

e.g. Duschenay sibs in ID....Canada's loss, France's gain....and it's legacy is still helping France


Skater eligible for dual citizenship skating for the federation most likely to be supportive.....

Keegan Messing....but also a number of Canadian, American and Russian born skaters that skate for smaller countries. ....Misha Gee, Elisabet TurSynbaeva, and others have made a choice on this basis.....and some like Vanessa James look to their various countries of citizenship for partners (British, Canadian and US in her case) before looking elsewhere.


Skater with heritage in another country, but not citizenship rights, seeking partners in countries where there is family and attachment......Sounds like Piper falls in this one.

Skater who needs to leave his/her fed for strong personal reasons....Lubov Ilyushechkina
(But happily found a partner in a county that had long appealed to her)

Skater just looking for a best fit partner.....Mervin, and perhaps Kaitlyn Weaver (not aware of any Canadian attachments before being partnered with Andrew, but she has that curious and questing to learn more about other places temperament that seems common among Americans who successfully move to Canada)

 

[SnowWhite]

Didn't we have a male junior champ from a couple years ago who switched to Argentina? Denis Margalik I think. I'm pretty sure he's not competing right now, but I remember he was at 4CC and Worlds last year. A lot easier to get those international placements skating for a smaller country.

 

[4everchan]

Didn't we have a male junior champ from a couple years ago who switched to Argentina? Denis Margalik I think. I'm pretty sure he's not competing right now, but I remember he was at 4CC and Worlds last year. A lot easier to get those international placements skating for a smaller country.

Yes... that's correct... Honestly, I don't mind as much with singles skaters... it seem obvious that if a skater decides to represent Argentina over Canada does it for an easier international placement.... and in his case, he had dual citizenship if I recall... so no issue for me...

But I want Francis and Mervin back

 

[TGee]

Yes... that's correct... Honestly, I don't mind as much with singles skaters... it seem obvious that if a skater decides to represent Argentina over Canada does it for an easier international placement.... and in his case, he had dual citizenship if I recall... so no issue for me...

But I want Francis and Mervin back

Agreed.

Really, how different is skating in the other country of a dual citizenship than going to get a job in the U.K. or Italy when you were born and educated in Canada, but have family from and in the other country?

Vs. Going to a country where the job is and then applying for citizenship....?

 

[4everchan]

Agreed.

Really, how different is skating in the other country of a dual citizenship than going to get a job in the U.K. or Italy when you were born and educated in Canada, but have family from and in the other country?

Vs. Going to a country where the job is and then applying for citizenship....?

good point...

i guess we can see it like a job and nowadays that's what sport is... a career... however, in the case of the two boys mentioned here, it seems they won't get citizenship... it's too bad.

 

[TGee]

good point...

i guess we can see it like a job and nowadays that's what sport is... a career... however, in the case of the two boys mentioned here, it seems they won't get citizenship... it's too bad.

Well, it's tricky.

The elite athletes represent countries, and citizenship is required for Olympic events. And countries support and invest in elite athletes as a matter of national identity.

So, not a just job like any other....or perhaps the choice about contributing to your country of citizenship vs. A new country is more stark...

Some countries such as Russia are quite blunt about the investment they put in their skaters, and why they are reluctant to see that investment going to the benefit of other countries. Some quid quo pros are negotiated on releases.

Another view sometimes argued by some senior Russian officials, is that the system is unbalanced when skaters trained in the big three go to smaller federations. I remember one such comment in relation to Lubov... it was said that as Canada already is strong in pairs, she and her new partner will need to compete nationally to earn their spots at the major ISU events, and the balance and fairness in the system is preserved.

 

[gravy]

i am wondering right now... how come, so many of our athletes skate for other federations... are the other federations pay for their training??? that could be one incentive... for instance for the many young guys skating pairs for Japan... they do get assignments but will never go to Olympics.... (françois is a very good pair skater... he could have done a good job with an appropriate canadian girl, just to name one)...

Is love a factor??? Not wanting to start rumours as I really don't know but Laurence and Nikolaj look like an item... (or they are just so wonderfully good looking and cute on their social media that the relationship vibe is felt ???)

I understand that Montreal is a hub for both pairs and dance... and that many international athletes are willing to relocate to benefit from the wonderful mentorship Gauthier/Marcotte or Dubreuil/Lauzon can give...but... are these athletes missing out on a chance for Olympics??? I mean.... will Laurence get Danish citizenship??? They obviously live here. What about Proulx-Sénécal skating for Armenia? And some of the other pair boys......etc... Are these athletes wiling to do this either because they "know" they wouldn't have a shot in Canada ? I mean Laurence of course we can't evaluate her with Nikolaj but they are making good progress and are probably top 15 material at worlds... that's probably better than Soucisse-Firus (mind you they are developing)... or is it a financial arrangement??? Or is it pure "happy partnership" or "love"

Anyways... just wondering... I don't expect answers.... Am I the only one thinking about all these quebec people skating for other countries???

The Danish team are indeed a couple off the ice. There was interview a while back about them teaming up knowing they won't be eligible for the Olympics in 2018--or even 2022 if they don't move to Denmark for residency.
(I can link those articles later when I'm not as drunk, hah. )

I think it brings back the thought that everyone seems to forget--figure skating isn't just about making it to the Olympics.

 

[4everchan]

Not surprising... their social media is very cute and Laurence is just as stunning as Nikolaj is...

I mean it's too bad for the Danes : the young french team also has a cute quebec girl, but they are married and will probably be eligible to compete

And, I did competitive sport... I know how thrilling it is and I wasn't at a super high level... so I do understand very well that sport comes first, the feeling of doing it... olympics is not really the motivation... however for a team, top 15 in the worlds, it must be slightly more frustrating. I also believe that they are slightly better than their ranking... they are finally rising up....

and sometimes I wonder : since Ice Dance can be political, are the teams known as non-eligible, held down because why should they be awarded top prize if they cannot compete at the O games???? (not saying the Danes are podium material yet but perhaps they are held down a few ranks?)

 

[TGee]

Rounding up some pre-4CC tweets and instagrams from the national team....


Kaitlyn and Andrew call the 9-day countdown to 4CC...

https://twitter.com/weaverpojesk8/status/828562164331995136


But Tessa Virtue counts it as 10...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQMICAgFxii/?taken-by=tessavirtue17&hl=en


Dylan and Eric take on a market...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPxgcGaFpX0/


Gabby shows commitment...

https://twitter.com/gabby_daleman/status/828117535774142465


Meagan shares a photo of a dog she plans to adopt in Korea...

https://twitter.com/mhjd_85/status/828038001603313665


Piper and Paul have been capturing the open air Ice Dance tradition at a Canada 150th celebration in Kingston

https://twitter.com/Landmark_Sport/status/828640523393048576


Kevin Reynolds is enjoying working out in the once again snow-bound Lower Mainland [otherwise known as the Greater Vancouver Regional District]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQHUSMeB42z/?taken-by=kevin.reynolds&hl=en


Kirsten Moore-Towers celebrates two years of :luv17: with Liam Firus

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPuw4PVBzet/?taken-by=kirsten_mt&hl=en

 

[Skatergal101]

Osmond looks to have a real shot at gold at 4CC now !!

 

[Mango]

Mango checking in to remind you that an unprecedented 36 Canadians will be competing as of Valentine's Day next week. Get ready for the deluge of protocols. Alas (or fortunately?) you'll only get to see half of the 36 because Bavarian Open has no live stream.

Also, Meagan Duhamel is ready to kick butt. As always.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQOfUm5hT8k/

 

[Ares]

Well, it's tricky.

The elite athletes represent countries, and citizenship is required for Olympic events. And countries support and invest in elite athletes as a matter of national identity.

So, not a just job like any other....or perhaps the choice about contributing to your country of citizenship vs. A new country is more stark...

Some countries such as Russia are quite blunt about the investment they put in their skaters, and why they are reluctant to see that investment going to the benefit of other countries. Some quid quo pros are negotiated on releases.

Another view sometimes argued by some senior Russian officials, is that the system is unbalanced when skaters trained in the big three go to smaller federations. I remember one such comment in relation to Lubov... it was said that as Canada already is strong in pairs, she and her new partner will need to compete nationally to earn their spots at the major ISU events, and the balance and fairness in the system is preserved.

BTW. Why Lubov & Nodari parted ways? :think: As Junior World Champions they were very promising, but at some point they indeed started stagnating. What is Mr Maisuradze up to now?

 

[Weathergal]

Skating at Rideau Hall

Skating has been a winter tradition at the Ottawa residence of the Governor General of Canada [GG], the Queen's vice-regal representative, since the 19th Century, dating to the time of Lord Dufferin who was GG from 1872 to 1878.

https://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15123

And it is accessible to the public. If you are travelling to Ottawa in the winter, you can reserve your group ahead and get tickets [one time per season]. There is also open public skating sessions Saturdays and Sundays...

http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15335

In acknowledgement of that history, as part of the year of celebration of 150 years since Canada was formed in Confederation, a Winter Pavilion has been opened at Rideau Hall [from a renovated former dairy] and the long standing natural ice rink is has been replaced with an outdoor rink with refrigeration that will extend the season, and ensure a skate-able surface through the ups and downs of temperature.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/winter-pavilion-rideau-hall-1.3956975

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/new-winter-pavilion-stars-at-ggs-seasonal-party

https://www.gg.ca/event.aspx?id=1454


Some of Canada's earliest figure skating events were hosted by the GG, and one of Canada's oldest clubs, the Minto Skating Club, was established by the then GG the Earl of Minto and retains heraldry with his coronet.

https://www.gg.ca/event.aspx?id=108

So, as much as many of you were exasperated to have the GG drop in during nationals last week [mainly because there was no live stream and it added a further delay to CTV's broadcast], I'd argue it's important to acknowledge the important role that GGs have played in fostering the ice skating in Canada.....

Personally, I think it's great that the current GG is a figure skating fan, and enjoy having skating in the limelight given the profound attention we see usually devoted to hockey culture.

Rounding up some pre-4CC tweets and instagrams from the national team....


Kaitlyn and Andrew call the 9-day countdown to 4CC...

https://twitter.com/weaverpojesk8/status/828562164331995136


But Tessa Virtue counts it as 10...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQMICAgFxii/?taken-by=tessavirtue17&hl=en


Dylan and Eric take on a market...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPxgcGaFpX0/


Gabby shows commitment...

https://twitter.com/gabby_daleman/status/828117535774142465


Meagan shares a photo of a dog she plans to adopt in Korea...

https://twitter.com/mhjd_85/status/828038001603313665


Piper and Paul have been capturing the open air Ice Dance tradition at a Canada 150th celebration in Kingston

https://twitter.com/Landmark_Sport/status/828640523393048576


Kevin Reynolds is enjoying working out in the once again snow-bound Lower Mainland [otherwise known as the Greater Vancouver Regional District]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQHUSMeB42z/?taken-by=kevin.reynolds&hl=en


Kirsten Moore-Towers celebrates two years of :luv17: with Liam Firus

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPuw4PVBzet/?taken-by=kirsten_mt&hl=en

Thanks for the roundup--very fun! Getting even more excited for 4CCs!

 

[Weathergal]

Skating at Rideau Hall

Skating has been a winter tradition at the Ottawa residence of the Governor General of Canada [GG], the Queen's vice-regal representative, since the 19th Century, dating to the time of Lord Dufferin who was GG from 1872 to 1878.

https://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15123

And it is accessible to the public. If you are travelling to Ottawa in the winter, you can reserve your group ahead and get tickets [one time per season]. There is also open public skating sessions Saturdays and Sundays...

http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15335

In acknowledgement of that history, as part of the year of celebration of 150 years since Canada was formed in Confederation, a Winter Pavilion has been opened at Rideau Hall [from a renovated former dairy] and the long standing natural ice rink is has been replaced with an outdoor rink with refrigeration that will extend the season, and ensure a skate-able surface through the ups and downs of temperature.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/winter-pavilion-rideau-hall-1.3956975

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/new-winter-pavilion-stars-at-ggs-seasonal-party

https://www.gg.ca/event.aspx?id=1454


Some of Canada's earliest figure skating events were hosted by the GG, and one of Canada's oldest clubs, the Minto Skating Club, was established by the then GG the Earl of Minto and retains heraldry with his coronet.

https://www.gg.ca/event.aspx?id=108

So, as much as many of you were exasperated to have the GG drop in during nationals last week [mainly because there was no live stream and it added a further delay to CTV's broadcast], I'd argue it's important to acknowledge the important role that GGs have played in fostering the ice skating in Canada.....

Personally, I think it's great that the current GG is a figure skating fan, and enjoy having skating in the limelight given the profound attention we see usually devoted to hockey culture.

Osmond looks to have a real shot at gold at 4CC now !!

IMO she always did! :agree:

 

[4everchan]

Mango checking in to remind you that an unprecedented 36 Canadians will be competing as of Valentine's Day next week. Get ready for the deluge of protocols. Alas (or fortunately?) you'll only get to see half of the 36 because Bavarian Open has no live stream.

Also, Meagan Duhamel is ready to kick butt. As always.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQOfUm5hT8k/

is this a new position or improved lift??? don't remember it to be that long...

love kmt's comment lol

 

[TGee]

BTW. Why Lubov & Nodari parted ways? :think: As Junior World Champions they were very promising, but at some point they indeed started stagnating. What is Mr Maisuradze up to now?

Sounds as though you are not familiar with how Luba felt at the end of that partnership. She definitely felt she was in an unhealthy power relationship with both her partner and her coach, and moved initially to France to test out a partnership there.

http://fskating.com/2012/07/lubov-iliushechkina-finds-harmony-with-new-partner-yannick-kocon.html

Her father intervened with the federation in Russia seeking a release as she would never compete for Russia again. [Unfortunately, the links so some of the Russian language stories of the time that have more detail are not working....]

The federation reportedly investigated the situation, including reading her diaries from the period, and expressed concern about what was going on in that coaching team. They also agreed that she should not be pressed to work with Maisuradze. However, they wanted to find her another partner in Russia.

But, after a couple of years [in which she attended university and coached] she still didn't have a new partner, and she and Dylan connected via Facebook and decided to do a try out....When it was successful, the RFSF was willing to release her.

 

[mrrice]

Rounding up some pre-4CC tweets and instagrams from the national team....


Kaitlyn and Andrew call the 9-day countdown to 4CC...

https://twitter.com/weaverpojesk8/status/828562164331995136


But Tessa Virtue counts it as 10...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQMICAgFxii/?taken-by=tessavirtue17&hl=en


Dylan and Eric take on a market...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPxgcGaFpX0/


Gabby shows commitment...

https://twitter.com/gabby_daleman/status/828117535774142465


Meagan shares a photo of a dog she plans to adopt in Korea...

https://twitter.com/mhjd_85/status/828038001603313665


Piper and Paul have been capturing the open air Ice Dance tradition at a Canada 150th celebration in Kingston

https://twitter.com/Landmark_Sport/status/828640523393048576


Kevin Reynolds is enjoying working out in the once again snow-bound Lower Mainland [otherwise known as the Greater Vancouver Regional District]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQHUSMeB42z/?taken-by=kevin.reynolds&hl=en


Kirsten Moore-Towers celebrates two years of :luv17: with Liam Firus

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPuw4PVBzet/?taken-by=kirsten_mt&hl=en

Has Kevin Reynolds lost his cute red headed mind??? Get Down From There!!!!!

 

[TGee]

Has Kevin Reynolds lost his cute red headed mind??? Get Down From There!!!!!

Uhm mrrice, thought you already were well aware that figure skaters are daredevils...

And didn't you once hurtle yourself across a layer of ice on a concrete pad?

 

[mrrice]

Uhm mrrice, thought you already were well aware that figure skaters are daredevils...

And didn't you once hurtle yourself across a layer of ice on a concrete pad?

Yes I did........ Fine......Guilty. However, I've never hung upside down in the dead of winter. Look at all that snow......And those Giant Boots!!! He must be freezing.....My heart!!!! Can't they put that thing in the garage.....

 

[TGee]

Yes I did........ Fine......Guilty. However, I've never hung upside down in the dead of winter. Look at all that snow......And those Giant Boots!!! He must be freezing.....My heart!!!! Can't they put that thing in the garage.....

Ah, your California identity is showing mmrice...

With all that snow, there isn't as far to fall, and it acts as a big cushion [if there isn't a big frozen crust down there somewhere.]

And it can't be all that cold if it's warm enough to be actually snowing [which the graininess of the photo suggests it was]...... Serious frost-bite cold means the air is clear and the roads are frosted white even when they are fully plowed.

Kevin's a good Coquitlam boy in any event...He surely knows how to take care of himself when he goes up the mountains past the snow line....or when the snow comes down the slopes to the suburbs....