2025-2026 Canadian Figure Skating

[Sackie]

I really hope LaLa can move back into the judges favour as the next ones once this Olympic cycle is over. But after last years worlds it looks like they want another USA team at the top.

 

[rain]

Robert Brodie writes about the backflip and also talks to Lajoie/Lagha:

Incredibly excited that Stellato-Dudeck/Deschamps went to Lori Nichol for choreography. That is beyond brilliant. The pieces of music they're using sound perfect for them, too.

For LaLa, I have to see it. Not great that they couldn't do the music that was their first choice, but sometimes that can end up being a blessing in disguise. I wonder who was using one of the pieces of music that they felt they couldn't also use it? In almost all cases, you'd think they wouldn't be the ones worried about a comparison (though I guess it's almost always better if you're using music that nobody else is).

 

[4everchan]

Incredibly excited that Stellato-Dudeck/Deschamps went to Lori Nichol for choreography. That is beyond brilliant. The pieces of music they're using sound perfect for them, too.

For LaLa, I have to see it. Not great that they couldn't do the music that was their first choice, but sometimes that can end up being a blessing in disguise. I wonder who was using one of the pieces of music that they felt they couldn't also use it? In almost all cases, you'd think they wouldn't be the ones worried about a comparison (though I guess it's almost always better if you're using music that nobody else is).

Deanna and Max have good programs. You can see them in the John Nicks thread.

 

[Skater Boy]

I hear you but LaLa is very tlalented and once you get rid of the olympic medallists who quite frankly are all almost guaranteed to retire and we might even see at the 2026 words none of the olympic medallists there. If Madison and Even win they know they may not want to push their luck and leave as champs. Guillaume and Lawrence the same they used all their focus and energy ffor the Olympics and if the Italians podium or Fear and Gibson assuming they plan to retire would be wise to take their medals and run beause they know there is Porier and Gilles, two Americans, Lala and the list goes on. Then again who goes to world may be determined in large part by who doesn't go. It is a game like chess strategy. Porier and Gilles are the team that I think will get "screwed". I like them the most for whatevre reason but I note they just missed making the Canadian and Olympic team and are second or fourth at big events That painful position. LaLa has shown promised but got probably pushed out because Worlds was in the US and the US is the strong skating federation right now and need to have someone in succession. But right now there are a lot of really good teams (not necessarily great but really really good who could medal ad by age are retirable - Chock and BAtes, Porier and Gilles, Fear and Gibson, the Italians who look kind of tired; Guillaume and Lawrence; the Shibutanis (huge question mark - are they even really ready/); LaLa without those teams stand up well against the remaining Americans and even France and the Spanish Dune team who will either rise this year or fall. REmember when Virtue and Moir did theypart two to their 2010 Olumpic win in 2014 Mahler piece it did not fair well (well silver - not terrible lol).Lala wasinjured and had shortened prep last season. Its too bad because they looked like the new Fear and Gibson team to get the podium only they are intrinsically/ technically better.

 

[rain]

Deanna and Max have good programs. You can see them in the John Nicks thread.

I saw the SP and loved it. The backflip actually works for them in the footwork section with the Carmina Burana (I'm not a huge fan of most backflips). It's always great when teams come up with new, unique moves.

 

[crystalspin]

I saw the SP and loved it. The backflip actually works for them in the footwork section with the Carmina Burana (I'm not a huge fan of most backflips). It's always great when teams come up with new, unique moves.

I also thought it worked really well for them as a team. Happy that their programs are good for an Olympic year.

 

[4everchan]

Marie-Jade and Romain have a cool set of dances this year.

They just won Kinoshita Cup over Z/K...

Fabbri-Ayer's programs are not as good. It seems clear to me who will get the Olympic spot.

 

[RatedPG]

After finishing watching JGP just now, I’m a bit worried about our Junior Girls. This is the only category where we haven’t even placed in the top ten.

Also, I hope they kind of take away David Bodnar’s second spot and give it to Eddie.

 

[Skater Boy]

Deanna and Max have good programs. You can see them in the John Nicks thread.

My fingers are crossed. Though I worry about them. I appreciate it is early but their scores ie pcs kind of show a lack of respect to them. We know of teams who make sometimes tonnes of errors but are held up. The scores are horrible but I would hope on their best they would score just over 80 for the sp. Following their pcs they don't get the scores even when they skate well and are not really held up when they skate poorly. I just so much want them to do super well. If not gold at least a medal. I think, sadly, a l ot depends if Sui and Han come back. if not Deanna and Max must distance themselves from the Georigans, Germany and Americans to get a medal assuming the other competition. THey also need to beat the Italians if possible (both teams). I really hoped they would get a C level element or a couple of very strong elements like a twist. It would have been nice to see a harder jump combo or inidivdual jum and replace the thrwo 3 sal with a quad or at least a throw lutz or flip Sadly their goal of getting consistent and clean isn't working as they continue to have issues with their individual and throw jumps. I am hopeful that their programs seem mor of an impact they just need to skate up to it. After John Nicks at least they beat the Americans.

 

[4everchan]

My fingers are crossed. Though I worry about them. I appreciate it is early but their scores ie pcs kind of show a lack of respect to them. We know of teams who make sometimes tonnes of errors but are held up.

They skated in an event where the USA is trying to figure out whom to send to the Olympic qualifier... so I am not worried about the scores.

The scores are horrible but I would hope on their best they would score just over 80 for the sp. Following their pcs they don't get the scores even when they skate well and are not really held up when they skate poorly. I just so much want them to do super well. If not gold at least a medal. I think, sadly, a l ot depends if Sui and Han come back. if not Deanna and Max must distance themselves from the Georigans, Germany and Americans to get a medal assuming the other competition.

I don't think the Americans are really a threat here.

THey also need to beat the Italians if possible (both teams). I really hoped they would get a C level element or a couple of very strong elements like a twist.

They have one of the best twists in the world, almost always at level 4 with high goe.

It would have been nice to see a harder jump combo or inidivdual jum

they are aiming for 3t-2a-2a which is better than last year's 3t-1a-2a

and replace the thrwo 3 sal with a quad or at least a throw lutz or flip

they tried the throw lutz last year and it wasn't getting them more points than the other throws with the GOE... I don't think it's there that they can make ground.

Sadly their goal of getting consistent and clean isn't working as they continue to have issues with their individual and throw jumps.

First competition of the season buddy.

I am hopeful that their programs seem mor of an impact they just need to skate up to it. After John Nicks at least they beat the Americans.

yup.. they still did beat the Americans, with many mistakes and though not being on home soil... so it's indeed a good statement

 

[saine]

After finishing watching JGP just now, I’m a bit worried about our Junior Girls. This is the only category where we haven’t even placed in the top ten.

With Camila and Ksenia, I think they got assignments more to get experience. With Hannah being assigned to Gdansk, that is 3/5 spots filled with skaters who are getting international experience. Victoria is the one who would most likely place top ten, maybe Reese (Gloucester announced on Facebook that she was assigned to Abu Dhabi.)

Also, I hope they kind of take away David Bodnar’s second spot and give it to Eddie.

What I like about how Skate Canada did assignments last season was that they didn't take away second assignments after skaters didn't have a good performance at their first one. If they assigned skaters, they assigned them. I remember the Junior Ice Dance team that cried when they got their scores, with Ted and Mark realizing that their second assignment depended on those scores even if they were decent scores for the level they were at. There's enough Juniors upset that I don't like assignments being taken away added onto it.

David had a bad free skate after being pretty solid on them and it wasn't his day. Whether he keeps the second assignment or not, I hope he's okay and takes it as part of the learning experience.

 

[4everchan]

With Camila and Ksenia, I think they got assignments more to get experience. With Hannah being assigned to Gdansk, that is 3/5 spots filled with skaters who are getting international experience. Victoria is the one who would most likely place top ten, maybe Reese (Gloucester announced on Facebook that she was assigned to Abu Dhabi.)



What I like about how Skate Canada did assignments last season was that they didn't take away second assignments after skaters didn't have a good performance at their first one. If they assigned skaters, they assigned them. I remember the Junior Ice Dance team that cried when they got their scores, with Ted and Mark realizing that their second assignment depended on those scores even if they were decent scores for the level they were at. There's enough Juniors upset that I don't like assignments being taken away added onto it.

David had a bad free skate after being pretty solid on them and it wasn't his day. Whether he keeps the second assignment or not, I hope he's okay and takes it as part of the learning experience.

I like that Skate Canada doesn't w/d skaters but they should wait a bit before giving them spots. That's how the game is played out there and we have very few spots because our skaters did not perform well at worlds. For instance, announcing a JGP for Reese (nothing against her) means that Victoria wouldn't get a 2nd JGP... What if she did a Grayson here ?

 

[Ziotic]

I like that Skate Canada doesn't w/d skaters but they should wait a bit before giving them spots. That's how the game is played out there and we have very few spots because our skaters did not perform well at worlds. For instance, announcing a JGP for Reese (nothing against her) means that Viktoria wouldn't get a 2nd JGP... What if she did a Grayson here ?

But a skater also has to know they are heading to a competition, so it’s a fine line between holding the spot or telling someone they are assigned.

If you play the game your best skater should go the first assignment. That way you know if you need to keep a second spot for them.

 

[saine]

I like that Skate Canada doesn't w/d skaters but they should wait a bit before giving them spots. That's how the game is played out there and we have very few spots because our skaters did not perform well at worlds. For instance, announcing a JGP for Reese (nothing against her) means that Viktoria wouldn't get a 2nd JGP... What if she did a Grayson here ?

If Victoria did medal, they'd probably pull Reese and give Victoria the Abu Dhabi spot, the same way that USFS did last year when Sophie Joline von Felten won. Reese would get a Junior B instead.

They do need to submit entries before some skaters compete, so someone has to be entered. Coaches need to know if they'll be traveling at that time so that they can adjust their schedule. If they want to use a skater as a placeholder, then they need to make it clear on the assignments page. Do what USFS does and use TBD on it in that case instead of just not updating the entries.

 

[4everchan]

But a skater also has to know they are heading to a competition, so it’s a fine line between holding the spot or telling someone they are assigned.

If you play the game your best skater should go the first assignment. That way you know if you need to keep a second spot for them.

In Victoria's case, it was not possible I gather due to visa issues.

 

[4everchan]

If Victoria did medal, they'd probably pull Reese and give Victoria the Abu Dhabi spot, the same way that USFS did last year when Sophie Joline von Felten won. Reese would get a Junior B instead.

They do need to submit entries before some skaters compete, so someone has to be entered. Coaches need to know if they'll be traveling at that time so that they can adjust their schedule. If they want to use a skater as a placeholder, then they need to make it clear on the assignments page. Do what USFS does and use TBD on it in that case instead of just not updating the entries.

I would like my son to get an event he keeps placing well at the domestic events, though he is messy fine... but he doesn't get much outings.

 

[Skating Bobr]

Also, I hope they kind of take away David Bodnar’s second spot and give it to Eddie.

His last name is BONDAR, not Bodnar. This isn't even the first or second time

Guys please, if you write down athletes names, and aren't 100% certain about the spelling, please look it up. That's what I do with some names because I know the skaters that do decide to read these comments appreciate when their names are spelled correctly, and when its not, it feels very hurtful.

 

[Sackie]

So CAN is sending on one to Lombardia Trophy. Why not?

 

[4everchan]

So CAN is sending on one to Lombardia Trophy. Why not?

no idea why not... but they decided to bypass it... South Africa has a woman and a pairs there... Canada ... 0

 

[lariko]

I also hope Bondar is okay, because his free was so not typical for him. Looked like the first pop just shut him down. Felt like an injury. Personally, maybe because I am used to watching the top 20-30 Russian Junior women, I don't really see Barakhtina as medal threat at the JGP, but if she has a great performance, I would be overjoyed.