I wonder if SC begged them to consider skating in the championships to keep spots.
2026-27 Canadian Figure Skating
- Thread starter 4everchan
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2015
at this point, 3 spots seem unlikely even with them skating. It will really depend on LaBa. I don't think LaLe will get top ten. So yeah, maybe to keep even just the two spots it would be needed.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2015
I guess Piper and Paul, if they indeed decide to compete in the second half of the season would also be on the team. It will be interesting to see what Skate Canada does with that
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Even though Piper only said that she and Paul are skipping the GP, I'm not sure that means they are coming back in the second half of this season. Of course, they could. But then, they'd have to be working on and training programs. Plus, not competing programs enough does not bode well competitively. I wish there was a viable pro tour someone would launch for all the skaters like Piper/ Paul, who have so much more to give.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
I see it mentioned that Alicia F/ Marko G, and also Sandrine G/ Paul Ayer are listed with Canadian clubs. Perhaps it makes sense logistically for Alicia/ Marko to skate for Canada. They might get more competitive chances for Estonia, but I don't know about funding and citizenship requirements in Estonia for Alicia. By skating domestically in Canada till Marko is released, they might have a better chance repping Canada. Marko should not have difficulty getting a release soon, if he doesn't have it already. He hasn't competed for Estonia for at least two years, AFAIK.
Paul Ayer recently received Mexican citizenship, but it may not have been connected to his skating career. If it was, perhaps he and Sandrine might switch to rep Mexico in ice dance, though obtaining Mexican citizenship for her might present hurdles.
Paul Ayer recently received Mexican citizenship, but it may not have been connected to his skating career. If it was, perhaps he and Sandrine might switch to rep Mexico in ice dance, though obtaining Mexican citizenship for her might present hurdles.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2015
I am very perplexed by these new pairings. I don't see either Alicia and Marko or Sandrine and Paul being better teams than Paul and Alicia together.
I can see the potential with LaBa or even LiLa, one of these teams could be better than LaLa... maybe even both... (not convinced yet but I can imagine it)... But I certainly cannot see it nor imagine It with Aliica and Marko and Sandrine and Paul
I can see the potential with LaBa or even LiLa, one of these teams could be better than LaLa... maybe even both... (not convinced yet but I can imagine it)... But I certainly cannot see it nor imagine It with Aliica and Marko and Sandrine and Paul
I thought Paul might benefit from having a shorter partner, but if I am reading their ISU bios correctly, Sandrine is a smidge taller than Alicia.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2015
Citizenship is only required for the Olympics as far as Sandrine is concerned. With Paul being now a Mexican citizen, (by descent) he is allowed to represent Mexico at worlds, 4CC and GP events, and so would be his partner as long as she resides in the country for 180 days which may be still difficult to do.
If they are aiming for the Olympics, I doubt it would happen in time for 2030. The residency requirements are 5 years unless Sandrine gets married to a Mexican
I also don't think IAM is opening a Mexican campus so they wouldn't be able to train in Montreal if they were aiming to receive an Olympic berth from Mexico.Time Requirements: You generally must live in Mexico as a legal resident for 5 consecutive years(or 2 yearsif you are married to a Mexican national). You must be physically present in the country for at least 18 months of the two years immediately preceding your application
Language & Culture: You must pass a Spanish language proficiency exam and a test regarding Mexican history and culture.
My take on this : with all the splits now, may the best newly paired up team win. First of all, Canada will lose spots and may not regain all of them in time for 2030... So who knows...
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Of course. I indicated in my comment that Paul has received Mexican citizenship, as had been reported. That's why fans speculated after his split with Alicia that he might have plans to rep Mexico. But obviously, that's not necessarily going to happen.
Ahh, okay. Rechecking your post, I get what you're explaining now. Thanks for the additional info regarding Mexican citizenship and rep requirements for Sandrine should they be planning to switch countries (which seems unlikely).
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
I wonder whether Paul had initially planned to switch to Mexico, but did not have a viable partner lined up. Was Sandrine available at the time Paul split with Alicia?
Or, did Sandrine become available later and Paul partnered with her after other plans he may have had did not work out?- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Yes, we'll have to wait and see. There are so many variables. With lots of new teams in pairs and ice dance, it will be interesting to see how they all fare over the next four years. Both Lim/Lagha, and Alicia/Marko, have to wait out a year. This coming season, hopefully LaBakerie can stir up something competitively that will be fruitful and pay dividends for the waiting teams to ultimately capitalize on when they get the chance.
Plus, Veillon/ Brandys are a very good team for Canada debuting in seniors this season. Of course, new teams coming from juniors aren't usually able to progress quickly up the senior ranks internationally. But it's a new quad, so much is possible.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2024
Alicia and Marko don't have to wait if they want to skate for Canada. He hasn't competed internationally in a while.Yes, we'll have to wait and see. There are so many variables. With lots of new teams in pairs and ice dance, it will be interesting to see how they all fare over the next four years. Both Lim/Lagha, and Alicia/Marko, have to wait out a year. This coming season, hopefully LaBakerie can stir up something competitively that will be fruitful and pay dividends for the waiting teams to ultimately capitalize on when they get the chance.
Plus, Veillon/ Brandys are a very good team for Canada debuting in seniors this season. Of course, new teams coming from juniors aren't usually able to progress quickly up the senior ranks internationally. But it's a new quad, so much is possible.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Oh yes, I forgot. Marko just needs to be released by Estonia, if he hasn't been already.
I don't think the SC spot will be that hard. They have a new team with multiple GP medals and top 10 placements at worlds.
I was more surprised they gave one to V/B outright rather than have them stack up against the other newly formed teams with senior experience.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2015
I think the only reason they haven't given it to LaBa is that they need to be ready... if they are not ready, they will offer it to some other team.
For instance, Fournier Zhu could get it.
For now, Lajoie Baker are not listed at CQÉ...and many other teams are on the list, including Alicia and Marko and Sandrine and Paul.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2015
and for Veillon/Brandys : yes. Skate Canada is trying to put them into the mix early. I support that. It has worked for some other feds. However, what prevented them to get a medal at JWC, in my humble opinion, is perhaps a lack of speed. In seniors, that would be a major factor. I hope they are working on this during the off-season.
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2022
That gave me a flashback to Bourne and Kraatz's first year in seniors when they won the Canadian dance championship in 1993 after being junior champions in 1992, and Johnny Esaw, skating fan extraordinaire and enthusiastic commentator, shouting "They're only just up from Juniors! They're not supposed to be this good!" (Of course, it then took them years to climb internationally.)
