2022–23 Canadian Figure Skating | Page 14 | Golden Skate

2022–23 Canadian Figure Skating

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After two Grand Prix events, Canadian ice dance is looking to be in strong shape for the new season.
After last season, where all of the Canadian teams seemed to slide downward in ranking I was concerned about what this season would bring. But the ice dance field is looking more crowded than ever in Canada now — and only two spots for worlds darn it all. Right now, due to material, I'm pulling for LaLa to fill that second spot over Fournier-Beaudry/Sorensen. But I'm torn because the international judges might be more inclined to give F-B/S a better placement, thus a better chance of gaining the third spot back. Arggggh! This is hard. I also want to see what F-B/S look like later in the season, as pre-season doesn't always tell you that much. And I just love Lauriault/le Gac's Pink Panther program so, so much. Their stock is rising, but I think they're likely a solid 4th in Canada.

Piper and Paul look stronger than ever. The RD is absolute magic in a sea of unmemorable dross. And the more times I watch the free dance the more I like it and think they really have something (though the middle section needs something).

Edited this post here because I previously suggested maybe changing the music, but went back and watched a version of the original song on YouTube, and I think the problem is more in the expression. This is an argument the characters are having, and it should look like it in this program as well. Instead it looks mostly like they're having fun. If there's anything Piper and Paul are capable of doing, it's hitting the right emotional tone. It's a waltz, but needs to be treated more like a tango in expression. This is a pretty easy fix.

Anyway, I think they have the best pair of programs I've seen this season so far, even if they make no changes to the FD.
 
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Although I hate the idea that CAN is down to 2 spots for worlds, esp when you look at the SB stats and CAN has 4 teams in the top 10, it just may be a good thing. We pretty well knew last year who the 3 teams were going to the Olympics and Worlds. This year we now pretty well know that Piper and Paul will be going as CAN #, but the race for the #2 spot is going to be a fight. And it seems no one is going down without a fight, (well except maybe Carolane and Shane). Even L/LE are putting up a fight and improving. In fact I would have had them ahead of Green/Parsons at SC.
 
Although I hate the idea that CAN is down to 2 spots for worlds, esp when you look at the SB stats and CAN has 4 teams in the top 10, it just may be a good thing. We pretty well knew last year who the 3 teams were going to the Olympics and Worlds. This year we now pretty well know that Piper and Paul will be going as CAN #, but the race for the #2 spot is going to be a fight. And it seems no one is going down without a fight, (well except maybe Carolane and Shane). Even L/LE are putting up a fight and improving. In fact I would have had them ahead of Green/Parsons at SC.
What I agree with is the depth which creates a rise in the level for everyone, like when there were 3 top women in Canada... but the two spot deal is a bad one... nothing good can come out of this... I will be disappointed either way as I love LaLa and FBS.. If I were in charge, I would probably send LaLa as they are one of the best technical team out there... but there is no denying that FBS have an unmatched flair and tons of experience and would also represent Canada so well.

As worlds are coming to Montreal in 2024... Canada NEEDS 3 spots in dance. Which team can secure that? it may or may not be an issue anyways, if Piper and Paul climb back up the rankings as the early competitions results are suggesting.
 
@rain

I watched Piper and Paul's again. I see what you are saying about the middle section. I think the place where there is some tweaking is in the step sequence... Everything else is so convincing that this section looks like "hey, we need to get our big points here" so it was designed for that.... it can become more expressive and characteristic as the season evolves... I don't blame them though for their focus on getting levels (still work to do btw) there...because it's the biggest element in BV in the FD if I recall correctly.
 
@rain

I watched Piper and Paul's again. I see what you are saying about the middle section. I think the place where there is some tweaking is in the step sequence... Everything else is so convincing that this section looks like "hey, we need to get our big points here" so it was designed for that.... it can become more expressive and characteristic as the season evolves... I don't blame them though for their focus on getting levels (still work to do btw) there...because it's the biggest element in BV in the FD if I recall correctly.
Yeah, it really announced "here's the step sequence". I'd like it to be more integrated into the whole. And I really do think that if they present the waltz as more of an argument it will be much more effective and work better with the other two pieces of music, as well as the program theme.
 
Maddie's comments from the CBC article: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/broadcast/skate-canada-recap-oct-29-1.6634317
This is part of the reason I like her so much. She's brutally honest with herself and everyone else. A class act. Most skaters are not this candid.

"Schizas, a 19-year-old from Oakville, Ont., and the reigning Canadian champion, tumbled down to seventh place with 180.59. Skating last, and to music from the "West Side Story" soundtrack, she fell once and two-footed a couple of landings.

"I knew full well skating that a door was wide open for me. Like so well," Schizas said. "I knew that I could have won this event just by not falling on my face there on a double jump.

"I didn't think it was going to be that hard. I knew full well that door was open. I just didn't figure out how to walk through it."

Reigning Canadian national champion Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont., won the women's short program with a score of 67.90 at Skate Canada International in Mississauga, Ont.

Schizas spotted a plastic flower holder on the ice during her program, likely from a flower thrown after a previous skater, and missed by the young skaters who scoop up flowers and stuffed animals. She considered stopping her program to pick it up.
"But once you interrupt your program, how does everyone feel about your program performance?" she said.

Instead, she picked it up afterward and took it to the judges' table.

"I didn't slip on it, I just saw it. I just skated by it like four times," Schizas said. "From about the third or fourth jump in the program, I was like, oh gosh, there's something there," she said. "But I'm not going to stand here and blame some stupid piece of plastic for my bad skate. I could have skated well anyways. I just have to learn how to focus a little bit more.

"I think I've learned how to skate at these events, I just haven't learned how to compete."
I was worried from the first time I saw those flowers being thrown on the ice. Bad idea.

On a happier note, Maddie impresses me so much. She's fierce. On being honest with herself -- one you name a demon, not to get too biblical, you have taken a big step to overcome it. Here, she's identifying what she needs to figure out. Brava!
 
Kaiya skated at Alberta Sectionals this weekend... not clean... some calls.. but would not have been looking so out of place at SCI....
I watched that event live. Sometimes, I enjoy these Sectional competitions more than Nationals.
Kaiya went from 160 to 169 domestically. Like Gabby and Madeline, she was fabulous with her SP. She backloaded her combo. But, the free skate was subpar. Sounds familiar? Like you said, she would have beaten the Czech and Dutch girl. But, Kaiya is competing in Austria next and I get the sense that she doesn’t like to push herself into competitions she is not ready to be competitive in. In this challenger event, she is a contender for the podium. Justine and Sara-Maude are also competing at this event.

By the way, SC has a criteria for juniors that they need to at least attempt triple triple combos in the free skate, to be sent to Junior Grand Prix circuit. This is how Sara Maude was chosen over others with higher scores but only triple doubles. At Alberta sectionals, there are two sisters who were quite good and placed first and second. The winner skated five clean triples (3T, two 3S, two 3Lo), to win the event with a score over 150. Her sister finished second.

Also, I found a new Canadian woman to cheer for. Grace Johnson finished second behind Kaiya with 150+ and she reminded me of Kaori. Her speed and power across the ice was amazing. But, she only can land triple toes and triple salchows. She landed them all cleanly, one 3T and two 3S (one in combo with a 2T). I hope she makes it to Nationals and I hope she adds a second 3T to her free skate, to be more competitive.

The Canadian woman are getting better and better, with more and more capable of scoring over 150 😀
 
You know, If Kaiya decided herself with her coaching team to take things slowly, that's great... I totally support that. Point made though is that there are other skaters who could have taken that spot. Happy to hear you enjoyed Alberta sectionals. I have to admit, I have not followed much sectionals ever... but looking forward to challenge.
 
You know, If Kaiya decided herself with her coaching team to take things slowly, that's great... I totally support that. Point made though is that there are other skaters who could have taken that spot. Happy to hear you enjoyed Alberta sectionals. I have to admit, I have not followed much sectionals ever... but looking forward to challenge.
Oh yes. Don’t get me wrong. I’m on the same page as you, regarding sending a Canadian athlete instead. Look at the Americans, they were going to send Kate Wang (first GP event); but, instead, they sent Ava and look at experience she got, out of it. This type of exposure will help anyone as they get to see how other athletes train, etc… and that type of life experience should have gone to a Canadian, even if they finished in last place.
This weekend, in France, the federation has all of their free spots filled by French ladies. They aren’t necessarily going to be competitive. I expect them all to place in 9-12 range. But, they get the exposure they need to get to possibly go to the next level.
 
The French women skating at GP FRA are Maia Mazzara, Lea Serna and Mae Berenice Meite (who's still recovering from injury). The French regularly send skaters in all disciplines to lots of B and Challenger events, so Maia and Lea are not unknown to ISU judges. Mae is a former French champion who already competed once earlier this season and she is in rough shape. I hope she is feeling better skating at home.

They face stiff competition in their home GP: Hendrickxx, Koreans Haien Lee and Yelim Kim, 3 Japanese skaters and American Audrey Shin.
 
The French women skating at GP FRA are Maia Mazzara, Lea Serna and Mae Berenice Meite (who's still recovering from injury). The French regularly send skaters in all disciplines to lots of B and Challenger events, so Maia and Lea are not unknown to ISU judges. Mae is a former French champion who already competed once earlier this season and she is in rough shape. I hope she is feeling better skating at home.

They face stiff competition in their home GP: Hendrickxx, Koreans Haien Lee and Yelim Kim, 3 Japanese skaters and American Audrey Shin.
It seems that you agree with the discussion some of us are having here then... Skate Canada should send our women to more events and then, let them compete at Skate Canada even if they were to face stiff competition... instead of bringing out of country skaters in lieu of host spots.

Look at Starr, she was given an opportunity and won silver without a full set of triple jumps (and I am not talking even about the big tricks).
 
Yes, Canada should send the women out internationally. Of course, that's a lot easier for the French federation, since there are so many opportunities in Europe and the cost of transportation is much reduced.
 
Much as I was happy for Ava Marie Ziegler to get to compete at Skate Canada - and glad that she did so well - I think it's a shame for the Canadian Federation not to use their host spots for their skaters, if at all possible. I've seen other federations - including the US - not assign skaters when it really seems like they should, and I always hate to see skaters miss out on opportunities to shine and continue in their development.
 
Last one i promise... the reaction of the athletes... amazing

I am so thrilled for them--especially Ellie--she has fought so hard over the years and it was wonderful to see them so confident yesterday. Well done!!!!
 
I am so thrilled for them--especially Ellie--she has fought so hard over the years and it was wonderful to see them so confident yesterday. Well done!!!!
Me too ! After all the injuries and barely missing the podium at the games on the beam... this is amazing. Her beam routine was amazing in the team event !
 
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