2016-2017 State of Canadian Figure Skating

[4everchan]

so... i was just trying to get myself sleepy (too much caffeine tonight) and then recalled that I had wanted to read about nam's new coach for a long time because honestly, the name was familiar but I didn't know much about her. So Tracy Wainman is an interesting case to b coaching Nam... she herself had to relearn jumps from scratch after growing 6 inches... she was also put in the spotlight at a very young age by the federation.... she also went to worlds while not placing first (only one spot was available) a bit similar to Nam last year who ended up going to worlds when he didn't place 2nd at Nationals...
So they have a lot in common in so many ways. I would think that considering her own coaches (Doug Leigh, who coached Brian Orser and Burka) her technique is probably similar to what Nam was doing at the TCC.

All I knew about her before is that she had coached Roman, so I thought she may be great to help Nam with polishing his skating... but now I think she may do even more than that... YAY!!!! I am looking forward to seeing what will happen next !!!!

 

[Dr. Jenn]

so... i was just trying to get myself sleepy (too much caffeine tonight) and then recalled that I had wanted to read about nam's new coach for a long time because honestly, the name was familiar but I didn't know much about her. So Tracy Wainman is an interesting case to b coaching Nam... she herself had to relearn jumps from scratch after growing 6 inches... she was also put in the spotlight at a very young age by the federation.... she also went to worlds while not placing first (only one spot was available) a bit similar to Nam last year who ended up going to worlds when he didn't place 2nd at Nationals...
So they have a lot in common in so many ways. I would think that considering her own coaches (Doug Leigh, who coached Brian Orser and Burka) her technique is probably similar to what Nam was doing at the TCC.

All I knew about her before is that she had coached Roman, so I thought she may be great to help Nam with polishing his skating... but now I think she may do even more than that... YAY!!!! I am looking forward to seeing what will happen next !!!!

Thanks for the info. It's very interesting to hear all the parallels! I hope that she will be able to bring his skating to the next level, particularly with regard to skating skills and speed. He has a lot of nice qualities, but he has been struggling since his (massive) growth spurt.

 

[Osmond4gold]

I'm seeing so much critical analysis of the US ladies right now. It's amazing to see that after all the usual comments of 'well the US ladies are >>>>> than the Canadian girls' that I am blessed to read in this thread.

I stopped reading those Threads Mango, it has become a blame game and it's hard to watch adults eat their young.

 

[Osmond4gold]

so... i was just trying to get myself sleepy (too much caffeine tonight) and then recalled that I had wanted to read about nam's new coach for a long time because honestly, the name was familiar but I didn't know much about her. So Tracy Wainman is an interesting case to b coaching Nam... she herself had to relearn jumps from scratch after growing 6 inches... she was also put in the spotlight at a very young age by the federation.... she also went to worlds while not placing first (only one spot was available) a bit similar to Nam last year who ended up going to worlds when he didn't place 2nd at Nationals...
So they have a lot in common in so many ways. I would think that considering her own coaches (Doug Leigh, who coached Brian Orser and Burka) her technique is probably similar to what Nam was doing at the TCC.

All I knew about her before is that she had coached Roman, so I thought she may be great to help Nam with polishing his skating... but now I think she may do even more than that... YAY!!!! I am looking forward to seeing what will happen next !!!!

Okay grasshopper, I feel so old! I was a kid but the Tracy Wainman thingy at that time was the Canadian version of the Kerrigan/Harding scandal, for its time (but a Canadian kinder/nicer version, and no clubbing involved). I remember reading that her family was not going to let her know about the controversy, sending Tracy (the bronze medalist at the time) to Worlds, versus the reigning Canadian champion, who went to Lake Placid, that year.

Today, it seems like a wise choice, given Canadian ladies were not top 10 contenders, but at the time, ...scandalous!

I have wondered if Alaine Chartrand might consider a move across town to Camp Tracy and team. Tracy has been successful with turning the fortunes of Nam around, after Team Orser, and seems to have a new found confidence and joy, to his skating. I wonder...

 

[siberia82]

Joseph does look to be ready for Junior Worlds. But Roman also appears to be doing fine (he's at YRSA these days) so it looks like the Bavarian Open trio will not be reunited for now.

The Skate Canada article about the junior men at the Bavarian Open seemed to suggest that Joseph will likely be sent to Junior Worlds because Roman was injured (does anyone know what kind of injury it was?), and I've been half-expecting for Roman's name to disappear from the Entries list (http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat00028808.htm). So far it hasn't, and I'm relieved to hear that Roman appears to have recovered from whatever it was that prevented him from competing in Oberstdorf.

 

[NanaPat]

I have wondered if Alaine Chartrand might consider a move across town to Camp Tracy and team. Tracy has been successful with turning the fortunes of Nam around, after Team Orser, and seems to have a new found confidence and joy, to his skating. I wonder...

Unless Alaine's situation has changed in the pasy year, she wouldn't be moving "across town". As of Jan 2016, she had 4 different coaches in 4 different cities (Prescott, Nepean, Toronto, and Oakville/Mississauga). Well, three cities if you consider Mississaug/Oakville/Toronto the same. See this article:
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/22/skater-alaine-chartrand-driven-to-succeed

I'll see if I can find anything more up-to-date about her training situation.

 

[Mango]

The Skate Canada article about the junior men at the Bavarian Open seemed to suggest that Joseph will likely be sent to Junior Worlds because Roman was injured (does anyone know what kind of injury it was?), and I've been half-expecting for Roman's name to disappear from the Entries list (http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat00028808.htm). So far it hasn't, and I'm relieved to hear that Roman appears to have recovered from whatever it was that prevented him from competing in Oberstdorf.

The article mentioned that Joseph is on standby. Meaning Skate Canada had full confidence in Roman's recovery.

Per social media Roman is fine. His injury prevented him from going to Oberstdorf but he was back training pretty soon after that. He's now been training at YRSA with Nam who was annoying the heck out of him.

From what I was told Alaine trains in the Ottawa area during the week, then Mississauga or Oakville on Saturday mornings before heading off to Cricket Club for the rest of the weekend. I was also told that Alaine is compromising about this situation to have access to CC and Brian.

 

[Osmond4gold]

Unless Alaine's situation has changed in the pasy year, she wouldn't be moving "across town". As of Jan 2016, she had 4 different coaches in 4 different cities (Prescott, Nepean, Toronto, and Oakville/Mississauga). Well, three cities if you consider Mississaug/Oakville/Toronto the same. See this article:
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/22/skater-alaine-chartrand-driven-to-succeed

I'll see if I can find anything more up-to-date about her training situation.

Thanks and as we know, nothing gets past NanaPat.

 

[JuliaHols]

The article mentioned that Joseph is on standby. Meaning Skate Canada had full confidence in Roman's recovery.

Per social media Roman is fine. His injury prevented him from going to Oberstdorf but he was back training pretty soon after that. He's now been training at YRSA with Nam who was annoying the heck out of him.

Wait what ...Nam and Roman...I can see that friendship. That's so funny and cute. How did you find out about that?

 

[4everchan]

^^

hehe i actually can think of Nam being good buddies with just about everyone... he is so spicy

 

[Skater Boy]

The article mentioned that Joseph is on standby. Meaning Skate Canada had full confidence in Roman's recovery.

Per social media Roman is fine. His injury prevented him from going to Oberstdorf but he was back training pretty soon after that. He's now been training at YRSA with Nam who was annoying the heck out of him.

From what I was told Alaine trains in the Ottawa area during the week, then Mississauga or Oakville on Saturday mornings before heading off to Cricket Club for the rest of the weekend. I was also told that Alaine is compromising about this situation to have access to CC and Brian.

How do you know Nam was annoying the heck out of Roman? And what was Nam doing?

 

[Sackie]

And our ladies... what can I say... I am most nervous for them as they probably have the most pressure and the most to lose. They both have done well this year in important competitions. However, I am afraid that the talk about the 3 spots is getting to them a bit. Until 4CC, I thought Kaetlyn would be definitely on top... now I am not sure anymore... I am not saying that her momentum has shifted completely but Gabby is also bringing it and each time I see her compete, I like her more and more. I also think that Gabby is the present AND future of Canadian ladies... she is younger than Alaine and Kaetlyn so I am thinking that she may keep at it until 2022... she would only be 23 by then anyways.... right?

I have been wondering the same thing about the added pressure on our ladies to win 3 spots for the Olympics and was going to post something then I saw you beat me to it. But I agree and wonder if all of a sudden their skating is becoming more about doing their best to gain 3 spots and not just doing what they are capable of doing. I mean they can do it if they do their best but then again they have not been in this spot before, and being in 1st after the short at 4CC with a chance to win even threw Gabby for a loop in her free. But then again you can never count out the pressure of the USA ladies to gain 3 spots as well and there are only so many spots in the top 10!

 

[JuliaHols]

^^

hehe i actually can think of Nam being good buddies with just about everyone... he is so spicy

That's true. He seems very open and friendly. Whereas Roman seems more shy but maybe that's just his on ice personality. I actually met Nam at an ice show and i took a picture with him

 

[Osmond4gold]

I have been wondering the same thing about the added pressure on our ladies to win 3 spots for the Olympics and was going to post something then I saw you beat me to it. But I agree and wonder if all of a sudden their skating is becoming more about doing their best to gain 3 spots and not just doing what they are capable of doing. I mean they can do it if they do their best but then again they have not been in this spot before, and being in 1st after the short at 4CC with a chance to win even threw Gabby for a loop in her free. But then again you can never count out the pressure of the USA ladies to gain 3 spots as well and there are only so many spots in the top 10!

I think it's important that they just skate for themselves. Bonus, if their performances combined, gives Canada 3.

 

[Mango]

It was on Nam's Snapchat a few days ago. Roman's just lacing up his skates in the change room and Nam is filming him going "Roman. Roman. Roman. Hey ROMAN!" and Roman's like "WHATTT??!?!" and Nam asked "How's the SP going?" To which Roman replied, "It's ok." They took some photos together too. Roman looked like he was studying (he had a binder open in front of him).

Nam really does like to fool around though. I remember his hijinks at Cricket Club. But it's good. Skaters should stay happy and healthy.

 

[Mango]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention. Signe Ronka was on CP24's Breakfast Television with skaters from Richmond Training Centre.
http://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=1073254

 

[siberia82]

Nic was given greeting cards wishing him good luck for Junior Worlds: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1111740805604864&id=842079609237653

I also found another picture of the Junior Men's podium at the Bavarian Open, and all three guys look incredibly bored : http://www.yrsawc.on.ca/_/rsrc/1487810178214/team-announcements/conradorzelwinssilverat2017bavarianopen/Conrad_Bavarian_Open.jpg I don't believe I've ever seen medalists at a competition who were so unenthusiastic about finishing in the Top 3.

 

[TGee]

yup... once you are about to get it, you have to stay in the US for quite a while... so again, kind of tricky for someone who would like to go train or compete outside the us borders

Off topic....On the other hand, doesn't Misha Ge have a green card...why he had to zip from TCC to LA and back back between AIC and SCI last fall in order to get his visa from France for TdF....

Not sure what exceptions exist for athletes in the US process...Lubov's travel isn't what is the issue in her challenges in getting permanent resident status in Canada...and certainly it wasn't an issue for Kaitlyn Weaver...

 

[4everchan]

Off topic....On the other hand, doesn't Misha Ge have a green card...why he had to zip from TCC to LA and back back between AIC and SCI last fall in order to get his visa from France for TdF....

Not sure what exceptions exist for athletes in the US process...Lubov's travel isn't what is the issue in her challenges in getting permanent resident status in Canada...and certainly it wasn't an issue for Kaitlyn Weaver...

i don't remember exactly what Misha did... but for sure, when he needs a visa, he needs to let go of his passport, and needs to apply from the USA. So, comes to ACI, goes home, apply for a VISA... goes to SCI... and then can go to TDF.. At least that's what I would think he did...

Regarding Lubov versus Mervin :

It is clear that Canada sees Lubov and Dylan as important members of the team. They get good assignments and are carrying on as if Lubov already had her papers to go to Olympics.

US fed isn't treating Mervin like that at all... so I am feeling that they already gave up on the process. If they sent other teams to 4CC so they can get a feel of the Olympic ice, if really, they thought Mervin and Marissa had a chance for the games, they could have sent them there... same with worlds.... they chose not to do so... It speaks volume IMHO about the situation.

 

[TGee]

Unless Alaine's situation has changed in the pasy year, she wouldn't be moving "across town". As of Jan 2016, she had 4 different coaches in 4 different cities (Prescott, Nepean, Toronto, and Oakville/Mississauga). Well, three cities if you consider Mississaug/Oakville/Toronto the same. See this article:
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/22/skater-alaine-chartrand-driven-to-succeed

I'll see if I can find anything more up-to-date about her training situation.

It's a bit dated, but yes Alaine is the on-the-road skater, thanks to her grandfather's motor home and a dad who's willing to drive to Toronto for Fridays and stay to Saturday each week.

Michelle Leigh at the Canadian Ice Academy is still listed as her primary coach in her ISU bio. Brian Orser who she trains with Saturdays is still listed second. So, in that sense 'moving across town' in Toronto would mean dropping CIA and TCC, and training with Tracy...

The Prescott local papers say that Alaine and training mate Matthew Markell are given unlimited free ice in Prescott. Their original coach MJ Rachotte is there so it seems to always be in her training mix, even if Rachotte is listed as former coach.

The one change, according to the Ottawa Citizen coverage around the time of nationals, is that she is working with Robert Kazimir in Ottawa, not Nepean. She credited Kazimir on Instagram with getting her through the many run throughs that were the foundation for her success at nationals in 2016. [Kazimir is listed as her third coach on her Wikipedia page if not the ISU bio....would think that her family, which reportedly runs her fan page would change that if it's incorrect...] While she is still listed as representing the Nepean Skating Club, Kasimir is no longer on the coaching staff there, and she hasn't worked with Birinberg in a few years. But there is no clear information on how much she's working with Kasimir this year.