2025-2026 Canadian Figure Skating | Page 119 | Golden Skate

2025-2026 Canadian Figure Skating

There have been recent reports/videos on social media of him doing other quads in practice.
That actually makes me quite optimistic, that he’s practicing slowly but not immediately throwing everything into competition runs before it’s completely stable and worth the added risk. So many skaters (or their coaching staff) insist on repeatedly trying jumps in comps when they’re not consistent and before they catch up with their PCS.

TBH even if he’s close on the other quads, I’d love him to work on presentation/transitions first - he’s been improving but the gap to the top performance skills is still visible.
 
That actually makes me quite optimistic, that he’s practicing slowly but not immediately throwing everything into competition runs before it’s completely stable and worth the added risk. So many skaters (or their coaching staff) insist on repeatedly trying jumps in comps when they’re not consistent and before they catch up with their PCS.

TBH even if he’s close on the other quads, I’d love him to work on presentation/transitions first - he’s been improving but the gap to the top performance skills is still visible.
While I wasn’t a fan of the music Stephen used for his world’s exhibition (or his too loose shirt), I did love how he skated to it. Very free and expressive with some amazing moves. I think he is well on the road to improving his second mark next year. As long as he has the right music.
 
I'm not sure what Lajoie/Lagha's plans are but they need a change and a fairly radical one. I would say the last couple of seasons since Montreal worlds have proven they are not a priority in Montreal. If I was them, I'd be at least looking at the possibility of changing camps. They have not been given standout material, which is so key in dance. And it's not as if they are not capable. I really thought they'd be on the podium at this year's worlds following the Olympics but they are nowhere close. They are way better than this. They need new energy and new ideas.
 
I'm not sure what Lajoie/Lagha's plans are but they need a change and a fairly radical one. I would say the last couple of seasons since Montreal worlds have proven they are not a priority in Montreal. If I was them, I'd be at least looking at the possibility of changing camps. They have not been given standout material, which is so key in dance. And it's not as if they are not capable. I really thought they'd be on the podium at this year's worlds following the Olympics but they are nowhere close. They are way better than this. They need new energy and new ideas.
It’s hard to understand what’s happening. They have had fun programs in the past. It’s strange in the Olympic year it was the least interesting ones of all.
 
I'm not sure what Lajoie/Lagha's plans are but they need a change and a fairly radical one. I would say the last couple of seasons since Montreal worlds have proven they are not a priority in Montreal. If I was them, I'd be at least looking at the possibility of changing camps. They have not been given standout material, which is so key in dance. And it's not as if they are not capable. I really thought they'd be on the podium at this year's worlds following the Olympics but they are nowhere close. They are way better than this. They need new energy and new ideas.
Not happening. They are babies from Gadbois (before it was even IAM). They are not changing camps. Also, the year they had good material, they were 5th in the world. The last couple years, their materials has been subpar ... this is really the problem. There are dancers I won't name who are not great but with the right material place much higher.

I agree that perhaps, knowing that the Canadian number 1 team was Piper and Paul, MFD and others didn't prioritize them, except when worlds were in Montreal.... so I would say it's really where they need a change. They also need better costumes for Zach.

I think they will shine in the waltz because of the quality of their skating.

The last few years, their FDs have been very low-key. It's like a lesser quality of Cizeron's one-note programs. I think they need for more punch, the way that Virtue-Moir were able to do
I was disappointed that they nixed their JS Bach FD this year. It may have been stellar. I know they can skate to real classical music as opposed to crossover like white crow or roses. I am here for that. But classical music with energy and punch. I will just say this as an example, not wishing they do that but something like 4 Seasons would actually showcase them at their best.

Zach and Marjo are very musical but they are not able to showcase that with these low-key programs. Judges are no longer impressed with their speed and flow. They need signature programs and moves. Most of what they do is very difficult but they do it so well that it looks easy. That's also part of the problem.

But no. I don't think they will move. And if they did, where would they go ? IAM Ontario is the only option but LaLe just moved there and CPom are there... I am not sure it's really a good idea. On top of that, Zach and Marjo are students here in Montreal.

I have the feeling that they are aiming at 2030 and sort of used these years to develop themselves. Unfortunately, they were too cautious the last couple years. Injuries didn't help.

Let's not forget that both years, they started their season late. They need to go and do challengers so judges see them. They cannot just wait for their traditional Skate Canada outing. They need to be readier earlier.

Let's hope they are not set back with injuries this summer and can rally. With MFD doing better too. Maybe we should write IAM a letter that they now have our Canadian number 1 team and that they better make sure that team is a secure top five next year and a podium contender in 2030 :)
 
While I wasn’t a fan of the music Stephen used for his world’s exhibition (or his too loose shirt), I did love how he skated to it. Very free and expressive with some amazing moves. I think he is well on the road to improving his second mark next year. As long as he has the right music.
Thanks for that! I rarely watch exhibition programs but I clearly have to check this one out. :)
 
SCI will be in Kelowna Oct 30-Nov 1, just in time for BC to move to permanent Daylight Savings Time.

Nationals in Mississauga January 12-17.

Kelowna is a nice location and wouldn't be too difficult for me to get to again, but I was honestly hoping for Halifax so I could do some genealogical research. 😅 (I've been getting into it lately, my great-great-grandmother shows up on a couple of Nova Scotia censuses!)
 
Sad day for me...

I don't feel like going to Mississauga and though I love the Okanagan, it's not a good timing for me.

and well.. Canadian fans, beware. If you visit the split and retirement threads, you will be served.... and no, it's not even about the ones we sorta expect will retire.

I am devastated.
 
I am still hoping that the Fabbri/Ayer and Gauthier/Thieren break-ups are April Fool's jokes (but very bad jokes). I think both teams were posed to do great things next year and F/A would have had a GP assignment - likely.

Trying to read between the lines that since it seems both partners of both teams are intending on continuing, they see they have a future as ice dancers but just not with each other. I wish all of our skaters the best of luck finding new and promising partnerships. We need them!
 
I am still hoping that the Fabbri/Ayer and Gauthier/Thieren break-ups are April Fool's jokes (but very bad jokes). I think both teams were posed to do great things next year and F/A would have had a GP assignment - likely.

Trying to read between the lines that since it seems both partners of both teams are intending on continuing, they see they have a future as ice dancers but just not with each other. I wish all of our skaters the best of luck finding new and promising partnerships. We need them!
Considering the ages at play, Alicia is only 23 and has a lot more options though as a male partner, Paul has perhaps more options....
I mean to put this into perspective, Quentin is 22.

I am feeling awful about the dozen of splits in Canadian ice dance. I wasn't too concerned about the juniors because that happens all the time though it touched some of my favourite teams. However, with the senior teams now splitting and also both being at IAM.. it really now worries me.

I am relatively okay with the Sandrine and Quentin split. They were very fun to watch together and I thought they managed well their retransition so seniors but I can also imagine them skating with other skaters. Paul and Alicia, I have a hard time. They were a mini Hubbell-Donohue for me, with this great flow and power and from the outside, it looked like they had a good and respectful relationship as athletes, supporting each other when mistakes would happen etc.

So this split to me is a big one to swallow. I have no idea which partners could be suitable for them next.
 
it seems like I am not the only one not going to Kelowna or Mississauga next year...

It seems like nobody from the senior dance community wants SCI and Nationals spots.

FSML (figure skating my life or insert whatever words you want)
 
it seems like I am not the only one not going to Kelowna or Mississauga next year...

It seems like nobody from the senior dance community wants SCI and Nationals spots.

FSML (figure skating my life or insert whatever words you want)
Who have Wing and Lowe got in their school this year? Kelowna at least would be handy for that group, if any can stand each other for at least one more season (says she, cynically).

I was there when Aaron and Megan skated together for the first time as children, at a summer school in Vancouver. They held hands while their coach, June Thorlaksson, coasted backwards eyeing them as a potential match. They stayed a full arms' length apart and never looked at each other :confused2:. Afterwards, Aaron skated over to his mother in the stands and whispered: "I never held a girl's hand before! She's so soft!" He was about 11, and the adults sitting nearby were all trying so hard not to laugh. 💘
 
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