2024-25 Canadian Figure Skating

[NanaPat]

Artistic swimming as it is called nowadays is the hardest sport ever. Bravo to your daughter.

She strarted competing late (high school) and competed at the "B" level (practiced 3-4 hours a week). The University comps were the best: they had her level, one level up (swimmers who had previously completed nationally at the highest level) and one level down. It was nice to see a small number of competitors in each event, and you could really see the differences between them.

I think they had all the levels for duets and solo, but only one level for team. No one university had enough former "A" skaters to make up a team (4-8, but deduction for each skater less than 8).

 

[Diana Delafield]

My daughter was a synchronized swimming judge when she was in University. Like you, she was guilted into it and did it as a public service. I don't think she judged any competitions, only tests. Everyone was VERY happy to see her show up so the swimmers could be tested.

Yes, I'm thinking more along the lines of just tests, since I'd have to start out at the beginner level anyway (for them as well as me). Hoping to encourage kids to take up the discipline. Even if they don't reach the standard they're trying for at the time, I can always find something to compliment to encourage them. . Your daughter's example is appealing -- being the Nice Judge everyone is happy to see !

 

[saine]

In case you missed the Junior Men results at Challenge, it finally happened (edit - replaced it with the Instagram post for the second picture):

 

[saine]

Robert Brodie interviews Mike Slipchuk again:

“A lot of the newer athletes we put out to Challenger events to get scores had good events,” he said. “We sent out three or four women for the first time, and all of them achieved either a Four Continents or a Worlds score. The pair that went out to Warsaw (first-year team Fiona Bombardier and Benjamin Mimar), they got a score for Worlds and Four Continents.”

 

[4everchan]

Robert Brodie interviews Mike Slipchuk again:

finally getting the memo... i think skate canada was blessed for too many years with superstars who didn't have to go through development competitions that much like challengers to get experience before having other opportunities like GPs or ISU Championships... so for the last decade or so, Skate Canada failed to address the simple fact that the stars were gone and they had to rebuild from scratch. About time, one year before the Olympics (way too late imho) that they are figuring it out.

 

[NanaPat]

Your daughter's example is appealing -- being the Nice Judge everyone is happy to see !

I don't think she did it long enough to be recognized as Nice Judge (or Mean Judge, for that matter). They were just happy to have a judge, any judge, show up!

 

[Diana Delafield]

I don't think she did it long enough to be recognized as Nice Judge (or Mean Judge, for that matter). They were just happy to have a judge, any judge, show up!

I was thinking of that as being my own goal. But judging them honestly, of course. Not scattering marks like I was tossing them flowers and toys if they're really not ready to move on to the next level, for their own safety. Positive criticism.

I sound as if it's a done deal, but I still have to get my somewhat reluctant partner to agree to "compete" (just perform, really) and send off our program components list by email before next Wednesday. Then we have to do a decent enough job of it, and then I find out what's involved logistically for clinics and exams and all that. If there are too many obstacles, it all may come to nothing in the end. But I'm glad I asked here for advice.

 

[NanaPat]

In case you missed the Junior Men results at Challenge, it finally happened (edit - replaced it with the Instagram post for the second picture):

I remins me of a Dr Seuss book. To quote: Did I ever tell you that Mrs. McCave. Had twenty-three sons and she named them all Dave?

 

[Sackie]

And Justine Miclette drops even further. A good lesson in why one should never put all their eggs in one basket. She was the chosen one for a few years and yet has not delivered. (Except one good event -ACI) Now she even finishes 10th at the Challenge. Was really hoping that after her ACI Bronze she would feed off that and continue to develop. But the opposite has happened and she seems to be dropping further behind other skaters even here in Canada.

 

[Cutting the ice]

Kudos to Amy for her win yesterday. She is a beautiful skater (I have been a fan of hers for years) but she doesn't have the jump difficulty to be competitive internationally and checking back on previous Challenger results, never really has. So not sure she should occupy too much space in the basket either.

Let's instead focus on promoting those skaters who have the jumps (and spins) if not yet the PCS and get them in front of international judges lots more (sad that they need to travel to Europe to get that exposure). The feedback those judges will give is critical to skater development but there also needs to be capacity for that development.

Kudos also to the 3 Davids in Juniors. Each is a different type of skater and all three really have improved this year. So gives a senior-aged fan hope for the near future in men's. I am also a big fan of John Kim but I worry I might have a heart attack watching him in the free (like with Roman). But still in the "very hopeful" stage of my fandom.

Ice Dance. Sandrine and Quentin have won me over this year. I love their free dance - sharp, different and watchable. I am also a fan of Summer and Nicholas - she is still getting her footing but wow - they have something watchable too and I expect next year they will have respect from the JGP judges. Of course, the top 6 junior teams were all good but those were my favourites. For the seniors, I only watched Lily and Nathan's free (and only part) - they had an unfortunate fall on the last lift (it was weird) but I am guessing that will get fixed before Cdns. I loved their rhythm dance tho. Another team that needs more international exposure as we know how long it takes to climb the ranks. We are in competition with the young USA teams and they are all rising fast. I refuse to believe we don't have the talent in our "tier 2" teams to take them on but if the judges don't see them, they won't get to know them. It is working finally for Alicia and Paul but we need more teams in the stream and it is a much longer stream than for the other skating disciplines.

 

[Sackie]

Must say that to me it seems the judges are more willing to give high GOE and PCS to the young USA teams no matter what. They come right out of Jrs and they are already scoring well. The CAN teams have always been told they have to wait their turn to climb the ladder.

 

[FlossieH]

Must say that to me it seems the judges are more willing to give high GOE and PCS to the young USA teams no matter what. They come right out of Jrs and they are already scoring well. The CAN teams have always been told they have to wait their turn to climb the ladder.

It's not just Canada. It seems to be the same for all countries other than the US. It doesn't seem to be anything to do with where the skaters train, either.

 

[VickB]

New news on Dmitre Razgulajevs and Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sorensen ?

Much thanks

 

[IceDancingQueen]

New news on Dmitre Razgulajevs and Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sorensen ?

Much thanks

I was actually wondering if Emmy Bronssard has found a new partner yet too…

 

[4everchan]

I am rooting for Emmy and Bruce... but maybe Emmy and Dmitre could make it happen ? It would be a weird Scarborough/IAM marriage though... I don't know... Emmy is truly a Gadbois kid... I think she's trained there from her youngest age.. and Dmitre is the son of the coach at Scarbo so.. lol Kind of a weird suggestion and would probably not happen... Maybe Sales and Dmitre ?
In any case, it's uncanny how Canada has a few lingering top skaters unmatched... Thierry Ferland is another one I'd like to know about.. though I suspect he is maybe retiring at this point.

 

[FlossieH]

New news on Dmitre Razgulajevs and Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sorensen ?

Much thanks

I am not sure why you are expecting news on Fournier Beaudry or Sorensen. Sorensen's ban has probably ended her career as well as his own.

 

[FlossieH]

Thierry Ferland is another one I'd like to know about.. though I suspect he is maybe retiring at this point.

There has been no sign of Ferland since his very short-lived partnership with Gabby Izzo. He doesn't appear to have paired up with anyone else and he hasn't competed in singles at all to maintain competition fitness. He never actually announced his split from Lori-Ann Matte or Gabby (she announced that she was ending that phase of her career/life), so I doubt he would announce his retirement either, if he has retired. At this point, I would be surprised if he suddenly reappeared in a new pair.

 

[4everchan]

There has been no sign of Ferland since his very short-lived partnership with Gabby Izzo. He doesn't appear to have paired up with anyone else and he hasn't competed in singles at all to maintain competition fitness. He never actually announced his split from Lori-Ann Matte or Gabby (she announced that she was ending that phase of her career/life), so I doubt he would announce his retirement either, if he has retired. At this point, I would be surprised if he suddenly reappeared in a new pair.

He was with Joy something at the end of the summer...but you are right, he is not appearing on Quebec funding roster so he is out..
.

 

[NanaPat]

Asher announced on That Figure Skating Show that Deanna has her citizenship!!

He may mean that she passed the test, and hasn't been sworn in yet. I'll edit in the time-stamped link after I go back and find it.

ADDED: It was Brenda, not Asher who made The big announcement

 

[DonnaR]

I thought I saw on social media that she'll be sworn in this week, but I can't remember where I saw it. If I find it, I'll post the link.