Each nation has a different approach but I would have sent Chouinard. Robinson was kind of lucky in skating that she competed when there was a huge lull in ladies skating in Canada. As we head towards Canadian Nats - odd they are before the US - I am always interested but not as much this year in Canada Nationals. First in pairs marketing wise you have to say look and the up and coming but with top teams gone and the injury/illnes to Stellato Canada nationals is turning out to be a lovely chance for some unknown teams to go to worlds and sadly lose spots for Canada. Three spots and Canada will not be sending anyone who has gone to worlds before. Does not bode well. I really wanted to see Stellato and her partner to grow but this mysterious illness is super concerning and affecting their skating. Organizers must be hoping dance brings interest. How unlucky that Canada's main chance at a world medal and even gold is out and with Piper's appendectomy one wonders if world gold just went to Chock and Bates. All that momentum lost; how unlucky. Still there is the Danadians, and the two L squared teams that will bring interest. I fear this may be the end of Firius and his partner as they cannot seem to stop the doward spiral. In men's ho hum. No one seems to really have the consistency. Nadeau is gone. Messing though likeable has beenskating like he has checked out and knows he is competitive because no one is aking ownership ofthe men's. Roman S has shown great promise but honestly has been at this for a while and still cannot get it together. Those two are the class of the field but other skaters have a chance with lady luck. Ladies is even more lacklustre. With Gabby out and Madeline not skating inspriationally or really well its Schizas to lose. This has to be one of the worst years for Canada Nationals - a hard sell. Organizers don't have a lot to work with and the top two teams with hopes for world medal injured or sick
well... i tend to look at the positive, after the initial shock coming from the news.
Considering Piper is already on the ice, there is even a chance they may go to 4CC. There is no loss of momentum for them internationally. They really don't need to win a National title to boost their international rep.
Deanna and Max : Deanna was already sick at GPF and they skated. It wasn't their best but they were in the mix for bronze with other strong international teams. I have a hard time believing that this virus will affect them in March for Worlds. So, sure, for them, there is a bit of loss of momentum, but at the same time, the international pairs field is relatively open but the first two spots... So, they can go to 4cc and worlds and be in the mix as well. I am not worried for them that much... just sad she is undergoing such a rough time. Being sick sucks for anyone... it sucks when it affects one's work... when your work is to be an athlete, it must be hell... but she is a grown up and is dealing with it.
I disagree with you that the rest of the pairs field is super weak... Quite the contrary ! I find it SUPER EXCITING ! I think Trennt and Lia are more interesting to watch and have way more potential than Evelyn and Trennt had... they have gelled super quickly too.
Nadeau and Proft are making very fast progress. Ben and Brooke have transitioned well into the senior scene and so did Kelly Ann and Loucas.
All these teams have been on the podium (except Emma and Nic who haven't been out yet) at international competitions, GPs and/ or Challengers.
All these teams have solid triple twists, probably better than what we have seen in Canadian pairs for a long time. Trennt and Lia have very solid SBS jumps. Kelly Ann and Loucas even do a SBS 3loop.
If we were at the last year of the olympic quad, I'd be worried. But for the first year of the cycle, it is difficult to look at this field without enthusiasm.
Dance : two of the top teams won't compete and yet, the field is still stacked... again with many teams competing well this season winning medals in international competition.
Men is a hot mess... but meh...it's like that everywhere... but perhaps Japan? I just watched junior men and the new champion is quite young (i think 15) and landed 3 triple axels perfectly well over both programs. I don't think the organisers will have to do much to sell this one : last chance to see Keegan Messing compete at home... he is adored by the fans and rightfully so. Seeing him live is worth the trip.
Women : Gabby's absence will be noticed but with one spot and Madeline being our leader all year, it is what it is. New talent is emerging. The junior women SP was quite strong last night. Many 3-3 combos... pretty much ALL the women did the mandatory 3 loop (in juniors they have the option of doing either 2loop or 3 loop... well... i think only one popped hers)... And to get back to Josée, it will be very interesting to see how Fiona handles the pressure now as she did very well at Challenge and had a good LP in one of the international events... Without Gabby, the podium is wide open... will Fiona seize the day? I am excited to see how well Kaiya will do too !
If I admit I was disappointed in the injuries and withdrawals, I am overall very positive about the current field. It looks good for Montreal worlds 2024.
Historically though, Skate Canada has mostly honoured their Nationals as the main factor... You can ask Josée Chouinard who was left out, while just coming back from injury, despite having won bronze at GPF that year... She was edged out by Robinson at Nationals....though, clearly, everyone knows who the best skater was.
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I do think that Nik and Lolo project better and are more mature in their skating, which allows them to score higher. Lala are doing extremely difficult stuff...they are fast, powerful and dynamic. It will be amazing to see where they will end up at 4CC and hopefully they will skate at home worlds in 2024. The big prize is not this year anyway. There is a strong chance that Nik and Lolo as well as Piper and Paul will retire after Montreal worlds. Perhaps even Chock and Bates. Lala are super young. They know that their time is coming soon. They just need to get as ready as they can by developing their style and getting known for it, as well as bringing a very consistent body of work.
