2024-25 Canadian Figure Skating

[FlossieH]

This may sound strange, but I am always so pleased when everybody does! I realise there sometimes just are toon many skaters and the FS would become endless, but I always feel so sorry for those who don't make it. This is better! I hope all three guys have good skates at 4 CC!

If there are a reasonable number who won't progress to the free then I'm kind of okay (although I would prefer everyone to skate again). What I didn't like with the upcoming 4CC was that all the women, pairs and ice dance teams were going to progress and that one man would not. It seemed unfair to have just one skater in the whole championships who would not make the free.

 

[RatedPG]

Matthew Newnham has replaced Wesley at 4CC.

In the long run, I'm sure that resting up for next season is probably for the best.

Yay!! I like Matthew more. This is a huge opportunity for Matthew. I’m hoping he can skate past the international benchmark of 203. He already missed an opportunity at Canadian Nationals by not placing in third place.

 

[RatedPG]

That's good news for Roman's fans. I doubt they would send Aleksa to worlds.

I really do feel that they were split between Romsky and Wesley for who to select. I think Roman’s chances went up to 80% now. He just needs a good enough SP.

Aleksa and 4CC is good enough for a skater that gave up competing at Nationals. I don’t see how they can select him over Roman unless he podiums and skates lights out, at 4CC.

 

[RatedPG]

Also, doesn’t this lock down the National Team down to:

Roman, Anthony, David Li (), Aleksa

Who will Skate Canada give the third spot to their GP event for Olympic season? Roman and Aleksa are locks. Stephen has higher SB than Wesley. But, neither on National team. Could they give that spot to Anthony? Also, what will they do with David Li?

Canadian Men is a circus this season.

 

[4everchan]

Also, doesn’t this lock down the National Team down to:

Roman, Anthony, David Li (), Aleksa

Who will Skate Canada give the third spot to their GP event for Olympic season? Roman and Aleksa are locks. Stephen has higher SB than Wesley. But, neither on National team. Could they give that spot to Anthony? Also, what will they do with David Li?

Canadian Men is a circus this season.

Wesley is a good skater. He will get the nod.
I have the feeling that Gogo is done... his injury seems very serious.
I don't think David Li and Anthony will get hosts spots unless they get a steady 3axel. That being said, they will still be on the National team.

 

[RatedPG]

Wesley is a good skater. He will get the nod.
I have the feeling that Gogo is done... his injury seems very serious.
I don't think David Li and Anthony will get hosts spots unless they get a steady 3axel. That being said, they will still be on the National team.

So, they should base it in World Standings.

Also, it just occurred to me. What if David Bondar wants to move up to Senior Men? Shouldn’t he has a solid 3A.

 

[4everchan]

So, they should base it in World Standings.

Also, it just occurred to me. What if David Bondar wants to move up to Senior Men? Shouldn’t he has a solid 3A.

David Bondar's skating is very juniorish unless he makes a huge splash at junior worlds...

This is just me assuming things of course but don't forget that Skate Canada has not filled pairs/women spots in the past with candidates they thought were not 'ideal" so I doubt we will see anyone that is just not quite yet there for a host spot... they would prefer handing it over ...

 

[RatedPG]

Also, did anybody hear the rumour of a new couple:

Nam Nguyen and Gracie Gold

It was announced yesterday in some tabloid during Valentine’s Day. Any truth to this rumour?

They would be a cute couple and both can probably relate with their ups and downs associated with figure skating.

 

[RatedPG]

David Bondar's skating is very juniorish unless he makes a huge splash at junior worlds...

This is just me assuming things of course but don't forget that Skate Canada has not filled pairs/women spots in the past with candidates they thought were not 'ideal" so I doubt we will see anyone that is just not quite yet there for a host spot... they would prefer handing it over ...

Yes!! I remember. They always seem to fold and give a spot away in situations like this.

I’m interested to see what happens at 4CC.

 

[RatedPG]

Also, did anybody hear the rumour of a new couple:

Nam Nguyen and Gracie Gold

It was announced yesterday in some tabloid during Valentine’s Day. Any truth to this rumour?

They would be a cute couple and both can probably relate with their ups and downs associated with figure skating.

 

[4everchan]

@moonvine ^^

 

[saine]

Also, it just occurred to me. What if David Bondar wants to move up to Senior Men? Shouldn’t he has a solid 3A.

I think from his post-victory statements after Nationals, his goal is to move up domestically to Seniors and get a Senior Challenger. The quote was confusing since Skate Canada used Challenge, which he'd have to do to go to Senior Nationals. I'm thinking he's intending for hybrid (JGP with a Senior Challenger.) He has the 3A solid, but he hasn't gotten the 4S yet.

That's what I'm hoping for anyways, I think he'd have more success with another season on the JGP and a Challenger than going for a GP assignment.

 

[4everchan]

i am just so excited for our junior men I think we are finally getting out of the bad juju

btw... i watch a lot of sports... and today was short track.... i was amazed at the lack of South Korean successes... it's their national sport after all and they did well at previous games... but right now, it looks like they are nowhere to be found... Italians are getting deeper, oh wait, games are in Italy next year..

So yeah, for all the naysayers about Canadian skating, if the South Korean short trackers are not winning much, even them, the super strong team in this sport, it says a lot about cycles in sports. In some ways, it's easy to understand but some people just won't accept it

 

[Skater Boy]

Also, doesn’t this lock down the National Team down to:

Roman, Anthony, David Li (), Aleksa

Who will Skate Canada give the third spot to their GP event for Olympic season? Roman and Aleksa are locks. Stephen has higher SB than Wesley. But, neither on National team. Could they give that spot to Anthony? Also, what will they do with David Li?

Canadian Men is a circus this season.

With Aleksa's poor showing at Canadian Nationals it would appear Roman is Canada's choice now. Unless Roman crashes and Aleksa skates so well he podiums then maybe. I am not surprised Wesley is unable to compete. It is a wonderful opportunity for Matthew though I know the 4cc organizers aren't thrilled as Matthew is literally unknown in Canada and worse in the world so he won't be filling any seats except family and friends perhaps. But here is a chance for Matthew to make his mark. For whatever reason the 4CC's do not have the same cachet as Euros where everyone wants to go and compete. Even without injuries This year the nations that make up the 4CC's have all four world titles but the field is definitely watered down. I guess it will give a chance for new stars.

 

[4everchan]

With Aleksa's poor showing at Canadian Nationals it would appear Roman is Canada's choice now. Unless Roman crashes and Aleksa skates so well he podiums then maybe. I am not surprised Wesley is unable to compete. It is a wonderful opportunity for Matthew though I know the 4cc organizers aren't thrilled as Matthew is literally unknown in Canada and worse in the world so he won't be filling any seats except family and friends perhaps. But here is a chance for Matthew to make his mark. For whatever reason the 4CC's do not have the same cachet as Euros where everyone wants to go and compete. Even without injuries This year the nations that make up the 4CC's have all four world titles but the field is definitely watered down. I guess it will give a chance for new stars.

I don't think Korean organizers are banking on Canadian men to fill the seats... They have Jun... that's all they need.

Singles may be watered down a bit.. but not pairs and dance. it is stacked.

 

[Cutting the ice]

I agree David Bondar still skates juniorishly but he has improved tremendously in the last year so hopefully will continue to do so. Don’t forget about John Kim who has 2 quads and a triple axel and not bad skating skills and presentation. He needs more competition experience for sure but it would be a crime if Skate Canada didn’t invest in him at the senior level. I do like Matthew’s skating and presentation a lot. He also needs more confidence building so he doesn’t pop his jumps if things don’t go perfectly. Also I thought Aleksa was ill at Canadians so should be able to skate better at 4CC (fingers crossed)

 

[4everchan]

I agree David Bondar still skates juniorishly but he has improved tremendously in the last year so hopefully will continue to do so. Don’t forget about John Kim who has 2 quads and a triple axel and not bad skating skills and presentation. He needs more competition experience for sure but it would be a crime if Skate Canada didn’t invest in him at the senior level. I do like Matthew’s skating and presentation a lot. He also needs more confidence building so he doesn’t pop his jumps if things don’t go perfectly. Also I thought Aleksa was ill at Canadians so should be able to skate better at 4CC (fingers crossed)

I am on the john kim team.... Seeing him in Laval just made me a fan. He can have it all, including my devoted fan love. I hope John reads this thread : there is a lot of love for him here. He is really nice to watch and has the jumps. Only needs experience.

Repetition creates experience which creates consistency. Give him events and you'll see.

Of course David B is improving. I just don't connect much with him. I was mostly answering in the context of a host spot. He is far from there.

Matthew is in the nice category... but I don't see him improving so much further that he would be a steady contender. Kind of a Bennet Toman for me but I liked Benett more... Notice I cannot spell his name for sure, so I used both spellings

Aleksa was coming back from a virus indeed. He does absolutely nothing for me skating skills wise, but I like his 3loop-3loop combo...

 

[RatedPG]

This is the week of the 4CC!!!
I’m so excited!!

Men
Roman versus Aleksa battle for WC spot.
I’m interested in this battle for the sole Worlds spot. Although, I think Roman should have already been selected for this spot already as the Canadian Nationals Champion. I have very little confidence that Aleksa will pass the SP stage at Worlds. However, I have to give him respect for placing top ten at Junior Worlds (thanks to him Anthony and David have spots this season). Also, he did win Challenger beating Roman. Both have SB scores in the 220-230 range. I’m interested to see how they place in this field in comparison to B team from USA and JPN. Also, the Korean mean after Cha and the Chinese men. Lots of men are capable of scoring in the 210-240 range. Every point will matter.
Also, I’m hoping Matthew meets the 203+ benchmark for next season. Perhaps, if he surpasses Wesley’s Chiu’s 206 SB score this season, he may get a challenger next season???

Women
Maddie is the one I’m most interested in. She did quite well at Nationals and I can see her battle it out against all three of the American girls, the two Koreans (C.Kim is too good), and Sofia (KAZ) and perhaps even Rino (JPN). These ladies are all in the 185-200 range with Maddie this season. The battle for fourth place at this loaded field.

Also, the battle for who is our #2 Canadian lady between Sara and Katherine intrigues me. They seem to be by themselves in the 165-185 range. Maybe, the Chinese ladies will give them some competition and maybe they can surpass one of the above ladies, if one of them is struggling. I hope both these ladies skate solid 170-180 skates here. Sara always peaks at this event and Katherine needs more exposure to international events. This spot may determine who goes to World Trophy.

Pairs
This may be the event I’m most looking forward to. D/M haven’t looked that sharp this season. Im hoping they can test themselves out against the Japanese team. I will settle for a silver and close to 210 score. I just hope they deliver on their SBS jumps.
L/T have an outside chance of a bronze medal. They skated really well at Nationals. I’m interested to see how they do against the two American pairs team and team from UZB and AUS. I think they have a chance at a medal
K/L have a great fighting spirit. I hope they do well.

Dance
This is the event that makes me the most nervous. I want P/G just to be close to Chock and Bates heading to Worlds. Everyone knows Chock and Bates will win at home at Boston. I just want it to be a close and fair judged event and I think they stand to get this treatment more in Korea than in USA.
Also, I’m most nervous for LaLa. I hope no USA dance team knocks them off the podium. But, also, the teams from FRA and FIN surpassed their SB scores at Euros. Well deserved scores though… they are both better than Great Britain. I just don’t want LaLa surpassed. So, I’m hoping LaLa raises their SB to a higher score to put them in contention for 4th place at Worlds. Right now, they have the 7th best SB score. They were the 5th best team last season and I want to see them move to 4th this season.

That is my rant for today….. happy family day to my Canadian skating group (love discussing Canada skating with all of you)

 

[FlossieH]

Does anyone know whether the Canadian team have already arrived in Korea?

 

[RatedPG]

Does anyone know whether the Canadian team have already arrived in Korea?

Skating lesson released a video update.
On the 3:00 minute to 4:00 minute mark…. It was mentioned that the prepared Canadian skaters left yesterday to avoid a coming snowstorm so they can make sure they arrive to Korea…. Someone posted on Twitter that Roman was not with these skaters