2016-2017 State of Canadian Figure Skating

[4everchan]

I saw we're at 95 pages. Maybe we'll get to 100 by JWC.

One thing I like about this thread is that it saves us from creating a bunch of other threads about stuff. Like we don't need 5 threads about tidbits of news. We just dump links here and peruse at our leisure. And occasionally discuss Rick Mercer.

In other news

Skate Ontario received Ontario Sport Recognition from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport because they amalgamated (vote happened February 25). Skate Canada's news release: https://skatecanada.ca/2017/03/skate-ontario-receives-ontario-sport-recognition/

Did anyone share this story about Hannah Dawson? http://ottawacitizen.com/sports/local-sports/hannah-dawsons-skating-dreams-alive-and-well

We've got 10 days until Junior Worlds start. CBC's got you covered: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figureskating/broadcast

Pre-novice pairs champions Brooke McIntosh / Brandon Toste: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQx_OLHA84n/
The babies are doing alright.

so in synch wow!!!

 

[Mango]

so in synch wow!!!

They're on my list of skaters whose cheeks I want to pinch. They were so precious at Thornhill I instantly became a big fan. (Don't worry I'll stay away from them...)

I found more interesting news.

An article on Catherine Carle's 4th place at Bavarian Open: http://www.insidehalton.com/sports-...fourth-in-international-figure-skating-debut/
Not surprised to read some of the things we'd mentioned in this thread in that article.

Mitch Islam is helping develop talent at the grassroots level: http://www.parrysound.com/sports-st...katers-practise-with-olympian-mitchell-islam/

A fun story about a group of adult skaters: http://globalnews.ca/news/3285038/okanagan-seniors-refuse-to-glide-away-from-passion/


We were discussing OUA earlier and I came across this profile of Katie Desveaux: http://www.brockpress.com/2017/02/player-profile-katie-desveaux-figure-skating/

A biting account of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics scandal: http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/7168373-the-day-scandal-sliced-olympic-ice/
Some of the quotes in there...

 

[Osmond4gold]

As we enjoy a [bitterly] cold snap in central Canada, and some folks are hopeful that outdoor ice will open again, I thought to drop some reminders of how great skating outdoors can be...

Huffington Post's top ten outdoor rinks in Canada

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/travelzoo-canada/ice-rinks-canada_b_9089790.html

As Joni Mitchell sang, "Oh I wish I had a river, I could skate away on...."

 

[4everchan]

Oh I wish I had a river, I could skate away on....

i can cry you one

 

[TGee]

Really love the adult skaters...

http://globalnews.ca/news/3285038/okanagan-seniors-refuse-to-glide-away-from-passion/

It's interesting to think that it's been less than 15 years since ISU started the adult masters competitions....

The idea of life-long figure skating is really taking off... Not just for a sport for kids and the youthful elites.

One of the ladies, who is 75 complains that they won't take them in competitions once your 80, so she's only got 4 years left to compete....But I've noticed that the ISU and Skate Canada keep raising the age limit as they see competitors that they know they shouldn't be turning away in the upcoming year.

And it makes me think of a recent Ice Network interview with Mervin Tran and his partner Maria Castelli....They talk about skating because they love to skate and compete, and that they are together because, despite the obstacles of nationalities, they just felt they were the best partners for each other. And that the Olympics shouldn't be all skaters look forward to in their careers...[Mervin talks about why he wouldn't have asked Maria to skate for Canada, given his short attachment to the federation. They both talk about how while Mervin's moving through the process to permanent residency in the US, with an interview upcoming with at the US consulate...but that they know the Olympics are not likely for them this year, and may not even be possible in 2022. And they are ok with that.]

 

[chuckm]

Mervin TRAN's partner's name is MarISa CASTELLI.

 

[Osmond4gold]

i can cry you one

Please wait until Worlds, then have a big old ugly cry, with lots of lots of fluids; you know the ones ancientpeas describes as having when events go well, and similar to the one you had in Ottawa, after Patrick's LP skate :sad4: The gang at the 'Elephant and Castle' are still talking about it. Epic!

Can we have an encore and soon please?

 

[4everchan]

SP results from the CHALLENGE CUP:



SENIOR LADIES (top 10 of 19)

1 Loena HENDRICKX BEL 62.54
2 Joshi HELGESSON SWE 56.07
3 Caroline ZHANG USA 54.18
4 Larkyn AUSTERMAN CAN 53.21
5 Anastasia GALUSTYAN ARM 52.98
6 Anne Line GJERSEM NOR 51.45
7 Isabelle M. OLSSON SWE 50.05
8 Kirstin SPOURS GBR 48.39
9 Jennifer SCHMIDT GER 47.53
10 Morgan FLOOD AZE 47.04

It's Austman... just so you know

 

[Osmond4gold]

^^ As in Austman4gold

 

[4everchan]

^^ As in Austman4gold

i like how you support all our ladies

 

[Osmond4gold]

i like how you support all our ladies

It's my favorite discipline at the moment, given how hard these ladies have struggled for 'respectability' in this sport. I love an underdog to begin with, but being an underdog also, in a country only known for having skating stars in other disciplines, and I am howling at the moon this season, at how far they have progressed.

I have read comments all season, especially involving Kaetlyn and Gabby, of how posters were "not expecting that", which makes their successes this season all the more enjoyable. I always knew they had the goods, and with time and patience, the potential to be great and a threat!

Add a couple of the Canadian juniors and Veronik possibly, in next year, and Wow! Karen, Liz and Joannie...your legacy lives on!

 

[ice coverage]

SP results from the CHALLENGE CUP:

... SENIOR LADIES (top 10 of 19)

1 Loena HENDRICKX BEL 62.54
2 Joshi HELGESSON SWE 56.07
3 Caroline ZHANG USA 54.18
4 Larkyn AUSTERMAN CAN 53.21 ...

Well add another medal, Mango...Larkyn won the bronze! She also got the worlds TES minimums in both programs landing, a triple lutz with positive GOE in the free! She didn't attempt a lutz at nationals. Way to go Larkyn! Bonus that they even spelled her name right, this time

Ladies Senior Result

1 Loena HENDRICKX BEL 177.94 1 1
2 Caroline ZHANG USA 166.93 3 2
3 Larkyn AUSTMAN CAN 157.90 4 3
4 Joshi HELGESSON SWE 150.63 2 4
5 Anne Line GJERSEM NOR 144.04 6 6

Her LP skate from earlier today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AYkyTYOncQ Austman4gold

It's Austman... just so you know

For 4ever and any others who apparently were not looking at the official Challenge Cup listings in real time:

The official Challenge Cup folks originally were using the misspelling of Larkyn's last name.

The misspelling was in the original SP results (copied by chuckm) on the official results site.

Thus Osmond4gold's humorous comment in the post that I have quoted above (emphasis added).

The official results site eventually was corrected.

But here are some examples of the official usage of the misspelling:

Entry list:

https://twitter.com/Challenge_Cup/status/830392810847223808​

SP start order:

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=1bf4fedf1992cbc205557eaea8dc62ab&oe=592E1ADC
https://www.facebook.com/challengec...2086337588881/992086297588885/?type=3&theater​

Congratulations to Larkyn on her bronze medal :yay:.

 

[Osmond4gold]

Thanks for this ice coverage, and as you know, my aim was never towards chuckm but at the organizers who got it wrong. chuckm was just forwarding the results as he has done so well in the past.

One thing is for sure, Larkyn will never be AUSTERMAN again.

I must add that there was no disrespect in 4everchan's response, as I only heard in my head..., "come on competition staff, get it right". How would others feel if Gracie was placed down as Gracie Golden or Ashley Wagon...same response I have no doubt.

 

[ice coverage]

Thanks for this ice coverage, and as you know, my aim was never towards chuckm but at the organizers who got it wrong.  chuckm was just forwarding the results as he has done so well in the past.

One thing is for sure, Larkyn will never be AUSTERMAN again. 

No worries on that front, Osmond4gold -- I did know all along that your post about the final results was referring to the misspelling of the organizers re the SP results.

Just wanted to make 4ever aware that the misspelling showed up in chuckm's post b/c he had copied the official SP results.

Which is not to say that I believe chuckm is infallible.  None of us are, not even our meticulous TGee.

(Yes, I suppose chuckm could have added a notation re the misspelling when he copied the official SP results.
But I will give him the benefit of the doubt that he was too distracted by his happiness  for  Larkyn that she was within striking distance of a medal.)

 

[4everchan]

^^

actually it's spelled 4everchan.... just we are clear on that front


4ever is only in intimacy.

Here's my take on Marisa-gate.... if you are going to point out a typo of a poster who as you say, is so meticulous, as TGee is... please, check your own... This thread has a long history of fighting double-standards... even ones such as these so if you agree to give the benefit of the doubt to chuckie, that's your call not necessarily mine right? he took the time to bold her name, he could have fixed the spelling... i mean he would have known her name right? if he was indeed, as you suggest, thrilled for her result ?

We have had difficulties of getting supported for our Canadian ladies' success throughout the year by this poster in particular, especially when GG and others have been having difficulties. Context reveals all ice coverage.

All in good fun and sport,

-4everCHAN

 

[ice coverage]

^^

actually it's spelled 4everchan.... just we are clear on that front

4ever is only in intimacy. ...

Apologies for taking liberties with your name, 4everchan.

FWIW, after peese (who happens to be Canadian ) and I had conversed only a couple of times here on GS, s/he asked whether it would be OK to call me "ic."
And I readily answered, "Yes."  Totally fine by me.

---

... And it makes me think of a recent Ice Network interview with Mervin Tran and his partner Maria Castelli....They talk about skating because they love to skate and compete, and that they are together because, despite the obstacles of nationalities, they just felt they were the best partners for each other.  And that the Olympics shouldn't be all skaters look forward to in their careers...[Mervin talks about why he wouldn't have asked Maria to skate for Canada, given his short attachment to the federation.  They both talk about how while Mervin's moving through the process to permanent residency in the US, with an interview upcoming with at the US consulate...but that they know the Olympics are not likely for them this year, and may not even be possible in 2022.  And they are ok with that.]

BTW, thanks to TGee for the summary of the Castelli/Tran interview, which I have not gotten around to listening to.

Of the two partners, Mervin :luv17: is by far my favorite.
I always have hoped that some day he would be able to represent Canada at the Olympics ... sigh.  (Not with Castelli ... I mean just with someone.)

That said, glad to hear that he is in the process of establishing permanent residency in the U.S. -- esp. after a history of overly (IMO) pessimistic  posts from others on GS (not you, TGee), who seem convinced that he has zero chance of being granted permanent residency.

Mervin TRAN's partner's name is MarISa CASTELLI.

The correct spelling of her name is Marissa.  Double-S.

Good thing I already said above that I don't think chuckm is infallible .

Nor of course am I infallible :hopelessness:.  For one thing, I did not originally notice chuckm's misspelling of Castelli's first name.

 

[4everchan]

what a comedy of errors

as I said... all in good fun and sport.

Now, regarding Mervin... I just want him to be able to skate when he deserves a spot. I was not really happy he didn't get any assignments after getting a silver with Marissa at US Nationals... that's just unfair and when you look at the results of the pairs who went to 4CC, only S-K/K did well... C/T deserved a spot...

but this should be in US Pairs' thread.... even if we love our Canadian boy Mervin, I am afraid he won't really be making this thread that often.... getting US residency? Can he do so by the fall????

 

[ice coverage]

Before moving on, I will add these last (rhetorical) comments regarding this discussion:

I wonder what chuckm could have had to gain by adding five sets of Challenge Cup SP results to this thread ... and by highlighting the results of the Canadians, many of whom did well?  Nothing to gain but the gratification of sharing good news, IMO.

(BTW: I have been in very strong disagreement with some of chuckm's posts elsewhere, especially about Mirai.)​

p.s. to 4everchan:

I did see your recent Random Confessions post about a dream about Patrick.  You mentioned sabinfire and "ice coverage" -- not sure whether that was a reference to Patrick's coverage of the ice or to yours truly.
If the reference was to me, I guess that part was a nightmare?​

 

[Mango]

We like to keep up to date by posting protocols, videos, and direct links to results of Canadian skaters. If a Canadian has competed somewhere we do our best to follow them and cheer them on. Regardless of misspelled names or even skaters put into the wrong category (like Eri in Nice).

Osmond4Gold thanks for reminding me of Vero. I totally forgot about her after Challenge. :hopelessness: She's gotten a very cute puppy. As has Gabby. Team Canada sure likes their dogs. Meagan, Patrick, Eric, Kirsten, Gabby, Veronik, Sarah, Megan Yim... They should do a 'dogs of Team Canada' photo shoot and make it into a calendar they can sell.

We never got to see Keegan's EX from the CTNSC17 gala but here's a cool hydroblade: https://www.instagram.com/p/BROD4KNAV7t/
He's gotten so comfortable with the 4Lz-3T: https://www.instagram.com/p/BRHUHdkF1FO/
Can't wait to see it next season!

Hannah and Justine have been modelling for Elite Xpression:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRJ3kFRhHpY/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BROiluPhPR9/

 

[4everchan]

Before moving on, I will add these last (rhetorical) comments regarding this discussion:

I wonder what chuckm could have had to gain by adding five sets of Challenge Cup SP results to this thread ... and by highlighting the results of the Canadians, many of whom did well?  Nothing to gain but the gratification of sharing good news, IMO.

(BTW: I have been in very strong disagreement with some of chuckm's posts elsewhere, especially about Mirai.)​

p.s. to 4everchan:

I did see your recent Random Confessions post about a dream about Patrick.  You mentioned sabinfire and "ice coverage" -- not sure whether that was a reference to Patrick's coverage of the ice or to yours truly.
If the reference was to me, I guess that part was a nightmare?​

let me answer these rhetorical comments LOL

because you know, we are all in a good mood today aren't we?

chuckm was very appreciated for sharing these results, but one kind gesture doesn't repair for all the belittling of Canadian skating that has been done. Canadians are very inclusive, we welcome everyone in this thread of course, and we like to hear perspectives from people from other countries... as long as they remain decent and constructive in their criticism.

Regarding the dream... it was you by name... but you had golden hair... probably from your former life on GS LOL... the part where you and sabinfire intervened wasn't a nightmare... but not as good as the rest of the dream LOL...

In that part, you were sitting down at a high table, with long, golden/rusty hair, and sabinfire said "hey golden, wanna meet Patrick? I can introduce you." You stood up, and obliged.

I stayed sitting down at my high table, and watched you guys go. Patrick had said he would meet me there after as we had been interrupted in our conversation earlier... So I just thought, I guess Patrick will be busy a bit longer... but he came back almost right away....

so no nightmare there... it was just a somewhat odd cameo...