I think its going to be interesting watching Junior girls considering all the great skaters. Can't wait!
Yes. I’m excited for this event too. For Junior Girls, last year, we couldn’t get 6 girls over 140. Only 5. I’m expecting 6 girls to surpass 145 this season, at this event.
I think the following three girls are locks for GP spots:
Please note that Skate Canada has increased standard to 155 as the domestic and international benchmark for JGP selection.
1) Lulu Lin - 10th place finisher at Junior Worlds with 170+ SB
2) Hetty Shi - National Team member
3) Aleksa - 2nd at Challenger and Nationals to Lulu; 155+ SB (domestically)
Kara Yun and maybe Mely-Ann have surpassed this mark. But, at only one event. Kara at her JGP event last season and Mely-Ann at Quebec sectionals. It will be important for them to be close to top 6, to be considered.
I’m also intrigued with how our strong 4 novice girls will do, in comparison to the other 12 Junior Girls. Lia, at 11 years old, was phenomenal at her international Novice event and undefeated last season in Novice. She can gauge where she stands, after this weekend. I think she will be in the podium. Then, there is Sandrine and Ksenia. Sandrine, at 14, really does have a chance for JGP. The 3F will be critical for her, as it is her hardest jump. But, has a 3T 3T combo. Ksenia, at 12 has all the triples minus 3T. She could threaten the top 6. Nathalie, I have no idea how old she is and if she is even eligible for JGP. But, she is tall and looks like she is over 13. I think I remember her only having 3T, 3S and 3Lo. No triple triple.
I’m also intrigued with how Hetty will do. She moved to Rafael and Brian Orser recently. The decision to send Lulu to Junior Worlds over her, was a tough, but fair pick. I hope it lighted a fire in her.
I think Lia and Ksenia are the only two ineligible for JGP. If they do decent, I hope Canada sends them to an extra novice international event, besides the normally allocated international event, they get at the end of the season. It would be nice for them to have an international event to train for, in 2024.
skatecanada.ca
. Four entries?
Lots of pairs missing - Kemp/Elizarov, Ariano Kent/Laliberte Laurent, Callahan/Roch and Behnke/Sauve, so almost all pairs who competed internationally last season.
